FAQs

Nationwide Restorations is responsible for only bringing back your home to the conditions it was at, before the damage occurred. This situation of before damage is referred to as pre-loss condition. We use the same quality and type of materials that were previously used in the house and we do not include repairing of those damages that had happened before the damage had occurred. Nationwide Restorations will provide you with an estimated value of the additional expenses that will be required for the renovation process, which is also known as the non-insured work.

Any renovation project that is not related to your loss is considered non-insured. Nationwide Restorations will provide separate estimates for a non-insured renovation project on your request and we will require separate authorization and payment terms.

If non-insured work delays the completion of an insured portion, it must be discussed with your Insurance Adjuster as well as the Project Manager.

Identifying our Franchise Business as the general contractor, Restore Project Manager will take out all the appropriate permit(s) on your behalf. The permit fees are generally included in the estimate that we provide to you for the complete restoration process, and it may be covered by the insurance company.

When your home’s pre-loss condition no longer meets your legal building codes, you insurance company shall recognize the code upgrades in the estimation process. It is recommended that you ask all your queries regarding code upgrades from your Insurance adjuster.

No. You can opt for a lock box or provide a key to your house with your Project Manager for the purpose of site access and then you can go about carrying out your daily routine. It is our duty to handle the work of restoration properly and to make sure that it does not hamper your day-to-day lives.

No. You do not have to remove everything from the premises. Nationwide Restorations will take care of all your belongings and contents of your home. We will securely cover and protect all the contents so that no damage is cause to them. If there is dust at the end of our task, we will include its cleanup during the post-construction and restoration cleaning up process.

While we do not ask the customer to physically move items, we do ask for their guidance when it comes to making decisions. After all, the more involved in the cleanup the customer is, the greater chance they’ll have a positive experience and outcome.

Our first motive is building cleanup and then, teaching skill sets to our customers. It so happens that while the cleanup process continues, it starts becoming difficulty for the customers, and they begin to feel uncomfortable. This when our team has to levy their expertise and communicate delicately and politely with the customers so that they are able to understand the cleaning process and are ready to face the challenges.

Once the cleanup is completed, the best people to be there for emotional support include your friends, neighbors and your church groups. They know you well and can help you while you feel emotionally shaken or broken.

It is our duty to train each and every one of your family members in the cleaning process properly. It is very important that no one is left without a proper understanding. We will invest as much time needed so as to help your family be better informed about all the process and steps needed to be followed.

It is very difficult to state an estimate for all the kinds of hoarding cleanups that can take place. This is because the size of the buildings may vary, the type of items kept in the buildings, the hazards and damaged caused to the building and its items, and also the ability to make decisions. All these may play a significant role in changing the cost of the cleanup.

It can take up to a few weeks depending on the size and damage or hazards of the building. But on an average the shifting and replacing the items of the buildings takes up most of the time. The actual time that might be required for just the cleanup is only between 3 to 5 days.

We customize our plan according to the needs of our customers. It is up to their ability to focus and participate properly in decision making that decides whether we will work half days, or full days. We also encourage the customers to take breaks as per their requirements.

The valuables found in the house are the customer’s property. It is our job to return it immediately to the customer as soon as it is found by us. These valuables might contain important documents or have emotional or monetary value. When we return the valuables to the customers, our customers often tell us the stories related to these valuables. Listening to the stories and taking out the time to acknowledge them us a very important part of our team’s process. It brings about a sense of understanding and reliability amongst the customers and our team.

Yes. Our team will help you in donating whatever you want to. All you need to do is sort out the documents and inventory that you want to donate and let us know the organization to whomever you want to donate these items to. We will help to pack all the items, prepare an inventory list, help you donate it at the organization’s respective center and return the fully signed and detailed list to the customers for tax purposes.

We do not take any shares in the profits of the items that you sell. We do not even sell them for you. Our work is to connect you to our selling partners who will make an estimate of the items you want to sell and then help you by selling off all your items. It is these people who will share a small percentage of your profits, as a commission for helping you in the sales.

Most of our centers can provide a warehouse for storing your valuables and items of your house. In case our internal storage is not vacant, we have partners who can provide their warehouses for the purpose of storing your stuffs till you require the services. However, we would recommend you to use the storage on a long-term basis only under special situations and conditions.

All the team members of Nationwide Restorations have a license, they have all signed a bond, and they all are insured. Every team member from Nationwide Restorations comes well trained, along with compassion, trustworthiness and courteousness.

Yes. Depending upon the situation, Nationwide Restorations is determined to partner with local animal control, shelters, veterinarians, adoption agencies and rescue teams to provide a healthy and safe location for the animals. We understand that our customers always have the best intentions for their pets, but hoarding situations are pretty much a normal case everywhere. So we recommend you to call us with all your specific questions regarding animal hoarding, and be rest assured that all calls made to us are confidential.

Nationwide Restorations provides all types of services, from cleaning and repairing mold, water and fire to smoke damage. We discuss the additional costs that will be emphasized on you due to the extra damage and requirements, during the cleaning evaluation, and also at the time of ending the cleanup.

Our technicians and employees at Nationwide Restorations is highly trained, certified and experienced in handling dangerous situations from structural issues up to mold and fecal matters. At the time of our first run-through of the building, while assessing the damage and dangers, we will let our client know about the future dangers that might follow up, and how best to deal with them.

We like to work at a personal level and therefore we will help to create a systematic procedure of cleaning for our customer and family to maintain a clean home, and will keep in touch with them through calls, to determine that the family is being able to follow the set of tasks set by us for cleanup, and if they need any help at any point of time.

Privacy is of utmost importance to our customers. So our way of work will be as discreet as possible, working in lower levels along with our customers so that none of the neighbors get to know about what is happening.

We suggest that you do not attempt any “do-it-yourself” cleaning methods without consulting an expert technician. Pretesting, using the right cleaning agent for the particular item, mixing deodorizing agents with cleaning solutions and using correct dilution rates are just some of the ways a fire restoration technician expertly controls the results. Professional cleaning systems and products used by experienced, trained technicians at Nationwide Restorations give you the best chance for complete restoration of your belongings.

At Nationwide Restorations, occupant and worker safety is top priority. During the initial inspection, safety hazards are identified and addressed, including debris removal, air quality, electrical hazards, slip and trip hazards, etc. Burnt electrical cords and appliances are separated out for disposal, and questionable electrical appliances are unplugged and tagged for evaluation of safe operation. Electrical power may be turned off and kept off until evaluation by a licensed electrician.

We recommend that you not turn on your furnace or air conditioning unit without clearance from the HVAC contractor.

For insurance purposes, we recommend you make a list of items (including food items) deemed non-restorable.

There are some items that may require general contractors such as drywall/painting; electrical; plumbing; roofing; framing/finish carpentry; flooring/carpet; installation of doors, windows, cabinets, post-construction cleanup, etc.

Depending on the source, nature and extent of the fire, it may be best to remove all belongings to a secure facility for cleaning, storage and to make room for restoration or construction. Nationwide Restorations will work with you and your insurance claims representative to manage this process.

Yes, with advance notice we can schedule time for an expert technician to meet with you and provide access to your requested items. A service charge may apply.

Some high-value items require restoration by a specialist. Working with your insurance claims representative, we can help you identify these and locate a qualified restorer.

Prior to work being started, all responsible parties will need to sign a form authorizing payment for the restoration services. If this is an insurance claim, Nationwide Restorations generally collects only the deductible amount from you and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. If your claim is not covered or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay in full at the time of service.

Many people aren’t aware that mold can cause structural damage to homes and businesses, which, if left undetected, can cause a property to lose value and/or require significant repairs. And if you have ever suffered from allergies, exposure to molds can often cause nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, skin irritation or even more severe reactions.

Mold needs a moist environment, temperatures above freezing and a food source, which can be leaves, paper, dirt, wood or other building materials. Mold is more likely to be found in damp, dusty spaces or areas with stagnant air.

If you see mold growth or water stains, a mold test can help identify related microbial activity. You can also look for areas where water leakage has occurred, such as roofs, pipes, ceilings or walls. Musty smells may also indicate the presence of mold.

Most experts recommend a professional remediation company when elevated mold levels are detected. Remediation professionals are specially trained to isolate and treat mold-affected areas to avoid contaminating adjacent spaces.

Sometimes you will hear terms like “toxic mold” or “black mold” used to refer to molds. While identifying the type of fungus or mold may be interesting, it doesn’t affect the course of action. If mold is present, the CDC has strongly recommended that it be removed, no matter the type.*

*Source: “Facts about Mold and Dampness.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 18 September 2012. Web. http://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm

The amount of time it takes to clean a commercial HVAC system can vary depending on the complexity of the system. Once a skilled and trained technician arrives, he should be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take. For standard purposes, we ask for at least several hours to get the job done right and to your satisfaction.

The local franchise owner can work to schedule a time that is most convenient for your business during non-business hours to complete the job. Depending on the magnitude of the job, we should have you up and running by the next business day if the job is completed during non-work hours.

Most facilities may require air duct cleaning every three to five years. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), it is recommended to have your HVAC system inspected annually.

For safety, the technician should be shown where the fire extinguisher and first aid kit is located. Also it is best to provide them with any emergency contact information.

Duct cleaning can be noisy. It is best to do it during non-work hours.

Clear work areas. Ask your technician how much space is needed around the furnace, the air-conditioner and each air vent register. It is best to have these areas cleared beforehand.

Make sure all personnel are aware that the ducts are going to be cleaned and that all offices and rooms that are serviced remain open and unlocked.

Prior to cleaning, perform a walk-through of the facility to go over where protective coverings such as drop cloths and corner guards will be placed. Also it is necessary to go over the HVAC, how it will be cleaned, and the accessibility of it.

Coordinate with Building Engineer or Superintendent to go over specifics of building layout and safety.

Air duct cleaning helps:

• Reduce energy costs in your business
• Reduce the potential for mold growth, bacteria, allergens, dirt and debris
• Improve indoor air quality
• Increase air circulation and flow
• Increase your commercial system performance
• Lengthen the lifespan of your HVAC system

In a commercial facility, a filter maintenance and replacement schedule should be established, based on the manufacturer’s recommendations, the environmental conditions of the facility, and type of facility and industry. Regular vacuuming will also help reduce airborne dirt and debris.