Finding the Best Fire and Smoke Restoration in Myrtle Beach

When a fire tears through your home or business, it can feel like the end of the world. You may think that nothing can be salvaged, but that’s not necessarily true. Your property may seem irrevocably damaged and uninhabitable in its current state, but fire and smoke damage restoration services can repair what first appears to be ruined forever.

As the cleanup process begins, you need to have a clear strategy on how to handle the restoration. It may feel overwhelming and confusing to face all the damage that is left behind, let alone consider how you will funnel funds to this expensive setback. Fortunately, there are professional restoration companies in Myrtle Beach that offer fire and smoke damage restoration services amenable to your budget; they can help you recover from an unfortunate event such as this.

Restoration companies offer a wide range of services—from cleaning, repairing, and removing the remnants of odor to replacing any damaged furnishings or fixtures—to make your property look good as new again. Once you contact these experts after a fire, they will inspect and analyze the extent of damage and identify which are safe to be just cleaned, replaced, or repaired.

So how do you find the company that offers the best fire and smoke restoration in Myrtle Beach? Read on for some tips on choosing the team that will provide your restoration needs.

1. Look for and compare various restoration companies

Don’t just settle for the first fire and smoke restoration company you find. Look for at least three prospective contractors and compare the services they offer.You should know what exact services you need before hiring a company to restore your fire or smoke-damaged property. Some of the services you can expect include:

• Removal of smoke and soot
• Removal of water and moisture
• Deodorization of odors
• Disinfection and sanitation of affected areas
• Restoration of items (bookcases, tables, chairs, etc.)
• Restoration of electrical systems
• Restoration of mechanical systems
• Restoration of heating and cooling systems

2. Review the materials and equipment that they use

The restoration process comes with many challenges, and you’ll want your service provider to be prepared. This means making sure they are equipped with a wide variety of tools and have access to high-quality materials needed to handle any type of damage or scenario. A restoration project isn’t something you’d want to get done halfway through because the contractor ran out of supplies, so it’s best to hire a company that has everything they need on hand to avoid delays, extra costs, and hassle.

3. Know the overall cost of their services

As with any other service, there can be variables that affect the cost, like the size of the property, the scope of restoration needed, the timeframe provided to complete the project, and the availability of materials that will be used. It is best to have a general idea of the costs of services and other particulars so you don’t get surprised at the end with a bill that’s higher than you expected. Be sure to get a cost estimate in writing before work begins.

4. Check their licensing and certifications

Certifications and licenses are a must for any type of contractor, especially when it comes to fire and smoke restoration in Myrtle Beach. Make sure that your contractor has all the important credentials and qualifications; better yet if your contractor is a member of one or more of the following:

• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA)
• National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
• International Code Council (ICC)
• American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC)
• American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• American Public Health Association (APHA)
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• American Society for Quality (ASQ)
• National Institute of Cleaning, Restoration, and Repair Specialists (NICRRS)
• National Institute of Fire Prevention and Control (NIFPC)
• The International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants (IACI)
• The Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
• The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC)

5. Review the reputation of the company

Any reputable fire and smoke damage restoration company will be proud to show you its references. Ask to speak with a few past clients who have previously worked with your prospective service provider. You can also visit online review sites to see what their reviewers think about the quality of their services. Make sure they have solid reviews with no red flags popping up; a company with negative reviews may not be your best choice.

You may also want to check the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. BBB is an excellent resource for checking on a company’s history, complaints, and how they respond to them. You can get information on how long they’ve been in business, how many employees they have, and their financial standing. Their website also has a feature called “Check Your Contractor” which allows you to type in the name of your contractor to see if there have been reports about them by other consumers.

Wrapping Up

After a devastating fire or any other type of disaster, many questions come to mind, like “How will I get my life back on track as quickly as possible?” You don’t have to fret, though, because there are restoration companies in Myrtle Beach who specialize in these kinds of scenarios. You just have to find the right service provider near you that is both reliable and happy to help you recover and improve your family’s welfare.

We hope that by reading this article, you have better clarity when it comes to finding the best fire and smoke restoration in Myrtle Beach. You just have to make sure the contractor you choose has all the necessary credentials, a strong, positive reputation, and enough—if not all—resources necessary to complete the project from start to finish.