When water, mold, or fire damage hits your Connecticut property, the first contractor you call often becomes the one who handles your claim from start to finish. Make the wrong choice and you'll pay more, wait longer, and risk a recurrence. This guide shows exactly what to look for before you hire.
1. Verify IICRC Certification
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the recognized standards body for restoration. Look for S500 (water), S520 (mold), or S700 (fire) credentials. Ask for certificate numbers and verify at iicrc.org. If a company can't produce certificates, walk away.
2. Confirm Connecticut Licensing
Connecticut requires a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for any residential restoration work. Verify at ct.gov's DCP license portal. Work without an HIC is illegal and voids contract protections.
3. Require Proof of Insurance
Minimum: $1M commercial general liability + workers' comp. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming you or your address. Without it, injuries or property damage on your job become your liability.
4. Ask About Xactimate Scoping
Insurance adjusters write scopes in Xactimate. Contractors who also use Xactimate can negotiate line-items on equal footing. Companies that don't will accept reduced adjuster scopes — which leaves you underpaid for the restoration you actually need.
5. Confirm Direct Insurance Billing
Direct billing means the contractor invoices your carrier — you pay only your deductible. Companies that require you to pay then seek reimbursement typically cost more and expose you to cash-flow risk during a crisis.
6. Ask About Post-Work Clearance Testing
For mold jobs, independent air testing is the only objective proof the work succeeded. For water damage, thermally-verified moisture readings below 15% MC in affected materials is the standard. Reputable companies include these in their base scope.
7. Check Google Reviews and References
Real reviews on Google Business Profile (not curated testimonials) tell you the most. Filter for 1-3 star reviews to see how problems are handled. Ask for 2-3 references from jobs similar to yours, and actually call them.
911 Storm meets every one of these standards — IICRC-certified (S500, S520, S700), Connecticut HIC-registered, fully insured with $2M GL, Xactimate-certified, direct-billing all major carriers, and every job includes clearance testing. Based in Greenwich, CT — call us for a free on-site assessment across Fairfield and Westchester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cheaper restoration quote always worse?+
Usually, yes. Restoration pricing correlates tightly with scope completeness. A cheap quote typically means missing steps — unfound hidden damage, skipped HVAC decontamination, no clearance testing. You pay the difference in recurrence.
Can I hire someone without insurance?+
Legally yes, practically never. If an uninsured crew damages your property or someone is injured on your job, your homeowners policy may not cover it. Always require proof of insurance before work begins.
How do I verify an IICRC certificate?+
Visit iicrc.org/verify and enter the certificate number. It takes 30 seconds. Real certificates return the technician's name, certifications, and expiration date.
What if a company pressures me to sign an AOB?+
An Assignment of Benefits transfers your insurance claim rights to the contractor. Some companies abuse this. Never sign on the first visit — review with your insurance agent or attorney first. Many reputable companies don't require AOB at all.
Related Services
Raf Volkov
Raf has personally supervised more than 100 restoration projects across Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY since 2003. He holds IICRC Water Damage Restoration (2016), IICRC Fire & Smoke Restoration (2016), Goldmorr AIM Mycotoxin Remediation, EZ Breathe Installer, and Stego Vapor Barrier / ASTM E1643 certifications — attending manufacturer trainings every year. Every protocol on this site is built on standards he's trained and re-trained in.