The following collection of questions and answers are representative of the most commonly asked questions regarding our business.

Table of Contents

GENERAL

What does Ameri Pro Restoration do?

We are a full service fire, water, sewage, storm/wind restoration company with emergency services available 24/7.  We also provide mold remediation and basement waterproofing services. We want to make your “nightmare bearable“.

To prevent further damage call now to protect your property at 517-622-3377 (Lansing), or at 616-439-8241 (Grand Rapids) or call us Toll Free at 888-222-1245 for any other location.

Are you licensed & insured?

Yes,  Ameri Pro Restoration is licensed, insured, and bonded against theft.

Ameri Pro Restoration holds one Builder License:

  • Builder #2101088065 [ Ronald A. Brown – DBA Ameri Pro Restoration]

Do you subcontract out any of your repairs?

We are a full service restoration company. The majority of of your repairs will be performed by Ameri Pro Restoration along with qualified sub contractors. Together we will handle all your repairs from start to finish and will strive to make your “nightmare bearable.”

Are your technicians and company certified?

Yes. Our technicians are Water Damage trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification organization (IICRC).

What is IICRC?

Ameri Pro is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC). The IICRC was formed in 1972 to serve as an independent certification body. Their goal is to set and promote high standards, ethics, to advance communication, technical proficiency, cleaning, and restoration service industries.

What is depreciation?

Depreciation is the reduction in the value of an asset due to usage, passage of time, wear and tear, outdating or obsolescence, and other similar factors. Most insurance policies include depreciation on selected items in their estimate. Recoverable depreciation is refunded to the homeowner when the repairs are completed.

What software do you use?

We use Xactimate. It is the most commonly used program for estimating the cost of repairs; in fact, 18 of the top 25 property insurers use Xactimate to determine the cost of repairs.

Can I update or make changes to my floor plan while the reconstruction takes place?

Yes, Ameri Pro Restoration, will work with you to rebuild your home or business any way you like.  Please talk with your insurance agent or adjuster to determine if any code updates are covered. However, material upgrades may be provided to you at Ameri Pro Restoration, at discounted pricing.

INSURANCE

Do I have to hire the restoration contractor my insurance company recommends?

No. It is your choice who you hire for your restoration needs. The insurance company may recommend you use a specific company, however it is not legal for them to force you into a restoration contractor they choose.

Do you work with my insurance?

Yes. We will work with all insurance companies to create the scope of work, estimate, and coordinate your claim.

Will my loss be covered by insurance?

Your Home or Business Coverage depends on your policies’ underwriting. Some policies cover water damage, sewage damage, mold damage, and others don’t. First and foremost call your insurance agent to find out if your loss is covered.

How do I bill my insurance company?

As a courtesy, we work directly with your insurance and agrees upon the scope and price of work throughout the process.

Will my insurance cover all of the cost associated with the damage?

Restoration damage and insurance policies all vary. Talk with your agent and review your policy to find out what coverage you have for water/sewage damage, fire damage (board-up), mold damage, and wind damage. Your insurance may assign an insurance adjuster to evaluate the property and walk you through repair process. In some cases we may be able to help you if you are unable to contact your insurance agency to help assess the damage immediately.

DEDUCTIBLE

What does "deductible" mean?

Your deductible is the amount you agreed to pay when you purchased your insurance policy. This is the amount you are responsible to pay outside of the costs associated with an insurance claim. The deductible fee can vary but is usually $250, $500 or $1,000. Talk with your agent to find out what your deductible payment is.

Do I have to pay my deductible?

Some contractors request you pay the deductible up front as a form of deposit before work begins. At Ameri Pro, we do not expect you to pay this prior to starting the damage repair. However, the deductible is the homeowner/business owner’s responsibility and should always be paid.

Can my deductible be waived?

We understand that you may not have the funds to cover your deductible and offer ways to help cover it depending on the type of the loss. Payment plans are available and we also accept all major credit cards. We will work with you and your adjuster to figure out the best option for you.

Do I have to pay my deductible before repairs can begin?

Some contractors request you pay the deductible up front as a form of deposit before work begins. We do not expect you to pay this prior to starting the damage repair. However, the deductible IS the property owner’s responsibility and will need to be paid.

FIRE DAMAGE

How long will it take to restore the fire damage?

Every job is different and restoration services vary based on the damage and repairs needed. After a Project Manager reviews your fire damage with your adjuster, we will be better informed to give you an estimate of when we can have you back in your home or business. At Ameri Pro Restoration we want to make your “nightmare bearable“.

Is it safe to be in my house after a fire?

If the Fire Department deems your home or property is safe to enter, then yes. However, you should use your best judgement and enter at your own risk. We may provide masks, glasses, and gloves for your health and safety.

Will you clean my clothes, too?

If your home is deemed safe to enter by the Fire Department, we will offer large bags for you to fill with a week’s worth of clothing for every family member. Our full service cleaning staff will clean your personal belongings the night of the fire and have them back to you the next morning free of all smoke odor. We will even clean special items like a child’s favorite blanket or animal.

Where does all my personal property go to get restored?

Our qualified cleaning staff will pack up, inventory, clean, and store your personal items in our climate controlled warehouse and return once your property is repaired.

Can I access my belongings while they are in storage?

Yes. Please call any time to schedule an appointment with a representative and we will give you full access to your belongings.

Will you be able to restore everything in my house?

No. Not everything in your house may be salvaged. Some of your personal items and property may be damaged too severely. The insurance adjuster will work with you to find out what your replaceable values of these items and depreciation of your property.

The Fire Department recommended that our home be boarded up. What does this mean?

The Fire Department is asking you to secure your property from further damage, theft and potential hazards. When you call us to board up your home, we will respond within an hour or less from the initial call. We will board up broken windows and doors, provide temporary demo and shoring to provide a safe structure, and/or tarp your roof to create a weather tight envelope. Our goal is to provide fast service to secure a board up and prevent further damage to your property.

WATER & SEWAGE

How long will it take to restore the water or sewage damage?

Every job is different and restoration services vary based on the damage and repairs needed. After a Project Manager reviews your water or sewage damage with your adjuster, we will be better informed to give you an estimate of when we can have you back in your home or business. At Ameri Pro Restoration we want to make your “nightmare bearable“.

I have water in my home! What do I do?

Time is of the essence, and the water is seeping into nooks and crannies with every second that passes. You need a professional restoration company like Ameri Pro to respond to your location immediately. We will be there within one hour of the initial call to help make your nightmare bearable. Call our 24/7 Emergency Line Toll Free at 888-222-1245 to avoid secondary damage.

Can I turn off or move the equipment?

No, it is important the equipment stay running at all times. The equipment is placed in specific locations to encourage quick drying. Turning off the equipment and or moving it will increase our drying time, and may lead to the threat of microbial growth and secondary damage.

Is the equipment safe to leave running while I am at work or school?

Yes. All of the equipment has been created and designed to work in high temperature as well as in damp locations. There are sensors built in, and the equipment will automatically shut off if it exceeds a dangerous threshold.

Will my house get mold?

We have never left a house wet. Ameri Pro guarantees 100% Customer Satisfaction and that your home has been dried out completely. The property owner will be asked to verify and confirm the home or business is completely dry.

How will I know when my property is dry?

A Water Technician will conduct the proper testing with specialized equipment to determine if the property has been completely dried.

How long do I wait between dry out and repair starting?

We work directly with your insurance company to determine the scope of repairs. When you are ready we can schedule the repair as soon as possible.

Do I need an estimate before you start the dry-out?

No. However, we will be able to provide a written scope and be able to start the restoration.

SEWAGE (specific)

My basement/crawlspace is flooded with sewage, what do I do?

Flood waters or sewage may fill your basement or crawlspace after your home or business has experienced a pipe break, drain backup or overflow. It is necessary to clean properly to prevent becoming sick or injured. Do not bring children into the flooded area! If you experience a sewer backup, we recommend a professionally trained restoration firm be called immediately.

Will you restore and clean everything?

No, due to the contamination from the sewage exposure, it is mandatory to discard and dispose of items with permeable surfaces. During the process we will set up a containment area so that the rest of the home or business is not exposed during the removal process. Talk with your insurance agent to find out what your coverage for replacement of these items.

I have a pantry in my basement, can food be salvaged?

Some foods can be saved and others must be thrown away. For example, discard all contaminated bottled and boxed foods, however canned goods and home canned jars may be kept if cleaned. Food stored in a refrigerator will keep if power is not lost. However if power has been disconnected, then after 4-6 hours (depending on room temperature) the food must be tossed. Do not open the refrigerator unless absolutely necessary. You may add ice to the refrigerator if you know power will return soon.

MOLD REMEDIATION

What is mold remediation?

This is the process of removing mold damage and/or cleaning up of mold located inside of a home or business.

How do you identify mold?

A certified and trained technician will locate mold in the home or business and take samples. All samples will be sent to a third party administrator to verify and identify the quantity and type of mold that is present. Our technicians are trained to identify the mold, but for your protection and best interest we send the sample to a third party to identify and offer remediation recommendation.

Why should I hire a Mold Remediation Professional?

A professional is trained and certified to use specialized equipment, clothing, and methods required to remove the mold completely.

How does mold grow?

Mold is a common and normal and is always present in the air. The mold spores enter your home and if introduced to a food source, then will grow. Moisture helps the spore begin, grow, digest, and destroy your home or business. Molds can grow on almost any surface, including; wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, Sheetrock, insulation, and other surfaces.

The mold grows best when there is lots of moisture from a leaky roof, high humidity, or flood. There is no way to get rid of all molds and mold spores from your home. But you can control mold growth by keeping your home dry. Mold requires moisture, although some mold species can obtain that moisture from moist air when the relative humidity is above 70%.

Many molds flourish at normal indoor temperatures; few if any molds are able to grow below 40 F or above 100 F. Outside this range molds may remain dormant or inactive; they may begin to grow again when the temperature is more favorable. Temperatures well above 100 F will kill mold and mold spores, but the exact temperature required to kill specific species is not well knowns.

How long does it take to remove mold?

The mold removal process depends on many factors including: how much mold is present, where the mold is growing (behind walls, etc.), and the materials it grows on. After a proper evaluation the Mold Technician will be able to work with you and give you an idea of how long the process will take.

How do you prove the mold has been removed?

First you will see that the mold is gone, and secondly we rely on a third party evaluation to test and verify that your home or business has been remediated. We will sample the location where the mold was present and sample the air indoor as well as outdoor. All samples will be sent to a third party administrator to confirm results and provide clearance to ensure that the mold spore count is at acceptable levels.

Can I clean mold myself?

Anyone can remove mold from a home or a business as long as they understand that when you disturb mold (clean it, cut it out, etc.), you will distribute the mold spores throughout the house, creating new mold issues.

The only way to correctly remove the mold is to build a containment using negative pressure and correctly wear personal protective equipment. You will also need to follow the IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation, and hire an industrial hygienist to make sure that the mold is removed properly and mold levels are acceptable levels completion.

Will my insurance cover all of the cost associated with the damage?

Restoration damage and insurance policies all vary. Talk with your agent and review your policy to find out what coverage you have for water/sewage damage, fire damage (board-up), mold damage, and wind damage. Your insurance may assign an insurance adjuster to evaluate the property and walk you through repair process. In some cases we may be able to help you if you are unable to contact your insurance agency to help assess the damage immediately.

How much do you charge to clean mold?

Prices may vary for the cleanup and removal of the mold. However before we can start the removal process, a technician must inspect and take samples. The inspection is $99, and each sample is $99, if the technician must enter a crawl space or attic there is an additional $49 fee.

STORM DAMAGE

How long will it take to restore the storm damage?

Every job is different and restoration services vary based on the damage and repairs needed. After a Project Manager reviews your storm damage with your adjuster, we will be better informed to give you an estimate of when we can have you back in your home or business. At Ameri Pro Restoration we want to make your “nightmare bearable“.

Can you remove trees and debris from my house?

Yes. We can remove large debris, trees fallen on roofs, extracted water and dry your home, board up broken doors and windows, provide temporary demo and shoring to for a safe structure, provide temp power, and or tarp your roof to create a weather tight barrier. We will provide fast service, secure, and prevent further damage to your property.

Can I update or make changes to my floor plan while the reconstruction takes place?

Yes. We will work with you to rebuild your home or business anyway you like. Please talk with your insurance agent or adjuster to find out if any code updates are covered. However, material upgrades may be provided to you at discounted pricing.

Can I change my single and siding colors?

Yes. Your insurance provider will pay for equal or like kind and quality material on your home.

Don’t see an answer to your question?
If you don’t see the answers to your questions above, please contact us. We will be happy to assist you.