Having to go through the process of restoring your home after damage due to fire, water, earthquakes, storms, or other disaster is a stressful process that most homeowners hope they never have to experience. We recently wrote about how to help deal with the mental stress of your house sustaining major damage, and we urge you to read that first if you’ve arrived at our website soon after your home’s disaster.
One of the key steps we listed was to get started early with restoration and to stay focused on the outcome. This is where we can help you the most: we offer full home restoration services in Orange County, CA, including fire and water damage restoration, and we’ve been doing these jobs for more than fifty years. We also work with all insurance companies, taking much of the burden off your hands.
Today we want to give you a step-by-step guide for what to do when your home is damaged or you’ve discovered major damage.
#1 – Contact Our Team
As we said above, you want to get the restoration process started as soon as you can. If you have extensive fire damage, water damage, or mold infestations, get in touch with us right away. We offer a free inspection that will help you get an idea of what’s ahead of you.
#2 – Make Sure to Stay Safe
Depending on the type of damage your house has suffered (flooding, earthquake, fire), the aftermath can pose serious risks to you and your family. Watch out for broken windows, tiles sliding off a damaged roof, standing water, issues with gas lines, and walls that might collapse. We don’t recommend you root around too much in the debris—keep safety a priority. You may wish to have your family stay with relatives or in a hotel during the early stages.
#3 – Document the Damage
Take photographs and videos of the affected areas to capture all visible damage. This visual evidence will play a significant role when it comes to insurance but also for your own record-keeping. Keep detailed records of any temporary repairs or expenses.
#4 – Review Your Insurance Policy
Carefully review your home insurance policy and understand the coverage and limitations specific to your situation. Familiarize yourself with the terms, deductibles, and any exclusions related to home damage restoration. Talk to your insurance provider if you have more questions.
#5 – Contact Your Insurance Provider
Notify your insurance provider about the home damage and get the claims process started. Provide accurate and detailed information about the incident: date, cause, affected areas of the home. The company will assign an adjuster to evaluate your claim. Schedule an assessment with the adjuster and our team so we can provide insights into the damage and restoration costs. The insurance adjuster will provide you with a settlement offer.
#7 – The Restoration Process
Once you’ve got an agreement with your insurance provider, we’ll start the job of restoring your home. We’ll do all the hard work and handle such jobs as mold remediation, water removal, repairs to the damaged structure, etc. We’ll keep open communication with you throughout the process so you know what is getting done and the timetable for the restoration.
For comprehensive home restoration services you can rely on, contact Jarvis Restoration today!