How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Company
You’ve walked into your home after a storm or a burst pipe, and your whole chest tightens. You see wet carpet, damp drywall, or a puddle spreading under a sink. You feel helpless, anxious, worried: “How bad is the damage? How long will it take to fix? How much will it cost?” You’re juggling insurance questions, phone calls, and how to pick someone you can trust. You don’t want surprises, hidden costs, or a half finished job. You just want your house back to feeling safe and dry.
You’re someone who cares about your home and family. You feel stressed because you’re unsure who to call and what steps to take next. At A/S General Contracting, we understand these feelings. We’ve helped homeowners recover from water damage caused by leaks, storms, or leaky roof issues. We offer free water damage inspection services so you have clear answers, not guesswork.
By reading this guide on how to choose a water damage restoration company, you’ll learn:
- How to tell whether damage is minor or needs a pro
- Why professional restoration is crucial for water damage
- An overview of the water damage restoration process
- What makes how long does water damage restoration take in real terms
- How much does it cost for water damage restoration normally
- Which questions to ask when picking a company
- What makes A/S General Contracting a dependable local team
By the end, you’ll feel ready to choose a trusted partner who handles cleanup and repairs safely, quickly, and clearly.
Common Signs and Risks of Water Damage in Your Home
Water damage often starts small, a drip under the sink, discoloration on a ceiling, or damp carpet in a corner. But what you see on the surface is rarely the full story. A water leak or leaky roof can lead to hidden damage that spreads quickly and causes long-term issues.
Water can get behind drywall, soak into insulation, or pool under floorboards. If left untreated, this can weaken your home’s structure, damage wiring, and trigger mold growth in as little as 24 to 48 hours. What starts as a stain could turn into a health concern or major repair.
The longer water sits, the worse the damage becomes and the more expensive the repairs get. That’s why it’s important to understand what to look for and act fast:
- Warped or bubbling paint
- Musty odors
- Peeling wallpaper
- Buckling wood floors
- Sudden increase in your water bill
- Wet insulation or sagging ceilings
At A/S General Contracting, we’re trained to detect these hidden signs during our free water damage inspection services. We help you understand what’s happening behind the walls, how far the damage goes, and what it takes to get your home dry and safe again.
Contact us to schedule your free water damage inspection.
What Happens If You Don’t Hire a Pro
It may feel cheaper to grab towels or space fans and start drying yourself. That can work for a tiny spill. But bigger issues with a water leak, leaky roof, or multiple rooms affected are different.
- Moisture hides in drywall, sub‑flooring, insulation, and behind walls.
- Fans and basic dehumidifiers don’t remove moisture from all layers.
- Mold or mildew can start growing in 24 to 48 hours.
- Black water or dirty water (like from a broken sewer line or outside flood) carries bacteria and health risks.
If you miss water deep in walls or floors, the damage may resurface later. That leads to more repair costs. That’s why professional restoration is crucial for water damage, a qualified team finds and treats hidden moisture, cleans thoroughly, and tracks drying until moisture levels are within safe ranges.
The Water Damage Restoration Process: What to Expect
Knowing the typical water damage restoration process helps you pick a company who knows the steps and uses them every time. Here’s how we do it at A/S General Contracting:
Step 1: Inspection and Assessment
Our team visits your home for a free water damage inspection, with no obligation. We check the source pipe leak, storm intrusion, leaky roof or appliance spill. We classify the water (clean, grey, or black), measure moisture with special meters, and sometimes use thermal imaging to find hidden damp areas.
Step 2: Water Extraction
We remove standing water fast with strong pumps and wet vacuums. This stops further spread and begins the repair process.
Step 3: Drying and Dehumidifying
We set up industrial air movers and high capacity dehumidifiers to pull out moisture from walls, floors, ceilings. We measure daily until humidity falls to normal levels. That’s a big part of what separates a professional from a DIY effort.
Step 4: Cleaning and Sanitizing
If the water is grey (from washing machines, dishwashers) or black (sewage or flood water), we use safe antimicrobial treatments. We clean surfaces, deodorize, and help protect against mold or health hazards. That step is not optional when contamination is possible.
Step 5: Repairs and Rebuilding
We repair or replace damaged drywall, flooring, trim, and repaint. Because we’re licensed general contractors, we handle the build back part instead of sending you to another company. That means one streamlined experience for you.
Our process gives confidence, every step mapped out, and moisture monitored until it’s gone.
How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take?
A common question: how long does water damage restoration take?
- If water damage is limited to a small area and it’s clean water, the job can finish in 1 to 3 days.
- For more rooms or grey water, expect 1 to 2 weeks.
- If contamination or structural repairs are needed, allow 3 to 4 weeks or sometimes longer if insurance approvals slow things.
We explain this at your free inspection. At each phase extraction, dry-down, cleaning, rebuild, we monitor progress. That way, there are no surprises, and you have a real timeline.
How Much Does It Cost for Water Damage Restoration?
Everyone asks how much does it cost for water damage restoration. Here’s a general breakdown:
- A small clean water job might cost around $1,000 or less.
- Most moderate jobs range from $2,000 to $7,000.
- Large, heavily contaminated jobs (with black water or structural rebuild) can go over $8,000.
Typical per square foot costs range between $3.75 and $7.50, and reach over $10 per square foot if contamination is involved.
Cost factors include:
- Size of affected area
- Type of water (clean vs. grey or black)
- Structural damage requiring drywall or floor replacement
- Delay before cleanup starts
- Local rates and emergency fees
At A/S General Contracting, you’ll get a detailed estimate after a free inspection. We list each step, area size, drying equipment, sanitizing, repairs so you know what you’re paying for. We also guide your insurance claim paperwork to reduce your out of pocket cost.
What to Ask When Choosing a Restoration Company
When you call different companies, ask these questions to compare:
- Are they licensed and insured as a general contractor or restoration company?
- Is there IICRC certification (Water Restoration Technician) or similar training?
- Do they offer a free water damage inspection with an estimate?
- Do they handle insurance paperwork or leave you to navigate it?
- Does the quote cover extraction, drying, sanitizing, and full rebuild if needed?
- Do they perform repairs themselves or subcontract?
- What equipment and methods do they use moisture meters, thermal imaging, industrial drying systems?
- How quickly can they start? Do they offer emergency (24/7) response?
- Are there real customer reviews or references you can read?
A company that answers positively to most of these shows strong service quality.
Why A/S General Contracting Is a Smart Choice
Here’s why we stand out when you’re deciding how to choose a water damage restoration company:
- We provide free water damage inspection services, with detailed findings and no obligation.
- We’re licensed general contractors with years of restoration experience.
- IICRC‑trained technicians handle moisture detection and humidity control to safe levels.
- We handle the entire process—from removal to rebuild—so you work with one team.
- We work directly with insurance companies; you don’t have to chase paperwork.
- We serve homeowners near iconic locations like Balboa Park official site, La Jolla Cove official site, Coronado Beach official site, and San Diego Bay, so we understand local structure types and weather.
- We are available 24/7 for fast response, since time matters when water damage spreads.
- We offer clear pricing, itemized estimates, and honest communication.
Scheduling a free water damage inspection takes less than 5 minutes, contact us.
What to Do Next If You’ve Found Water Damage
If you’ve spotted signs of water damage in your home, whether it’s a soft wall, puddle, dripping ceiling, or strange musty smell, it’s time to act. Water doesn’t wait. Even if the leak has stopped, the moisture it leaves behind can lead to bigger problems like mold or structural damage.
Start by checking the source if it’s safe, turn off water valves if needed, and take photos of the damage for insurance. Then, reach out to a team that knows what to do and can respond quickly.
At A/S General Contracting, we make that next step simple. We offer free water damage inspection services to assess what’s really going on, explain the next steps, and give you a full plan, without pressure or surprise costs.
We work with homes and businesses across San Diego, including neighborhoods near Balboa Park, Mission Valley, La Jolla, Chula Vista, and the San Diego Zoo. Whether the problem started from a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or an appliance failure, we’re ready to help 24/7.
✔︎ Get expert help fast
✔︎ Know the true scope of the damage
✔︎ Avoid mold and further issues
✔︎ File your insurance claim with support
✔︎ Start drying, cleaning, and repairs without delay
Let’s take care of the problem before it spreads. Start by visiting our water damage services
Or book your free inspection, Contact us today
