Contra Costa County – Contractors – Water & Fire Damage

Once the work is completed, walk though the areas of your home that had been damaged by fire or water. Ask your home damage repair company to point out the repairs that were made as they’re listed on your invoice.

Compare the work against the itemized invoice to ensure all work was done as promised and that it stands up to your expectations and reflects what was promised in your contract.

The invoice from your Contra Costa County fire damage repair or flood repair company should include the following:

• The contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.
• A complete list of all work performed.
• An itemized list of all construction materials.
• The total cost for the fire/water damage repairs, including an itemized amount due for labor.
• Any charges for special equipment utilized to repair or remove damaged materials.
• Any applicable hazardous waste disposal fees and the company’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) number.
• A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the product manufacturers and the home remodeling contractors.

When the work is completed, your water and fire repair contractor should give you a written document that outlines any warranties or guarantees that cover the materials and workmanship.

Having a written warranty ensures you and your contractor have the same understanding of the guarantees offered, and it gives you legal standing in case there is a conflict regarding warranty coverage.

The following items should be included in any written guarantee document:

• The fire and water damage contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.
  
• A description of what exactly the warranty covers. This should include whether the contractor will repair or replace any faulty materials or workmanship. Any exclusions must be explicitly stated.
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or is prorated (meaning, the warranty coverage diminishes over time).
• If the warranty coverage is transferable to the new owner if you sell the home.
• Any actions on your part that may invalidate the warranty.

Floods, fires and water damage occur in homes, businesses and public buildings in Contra Costa County, including Danville, Antioch, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and Pittsburg, Point Richmond, Rodeo, Vine Hill, Bay Point, Briones, Cowell and Los Medanos and beyond.

The following services are only a few of the most common provided by water and fire repair contractors in Contra Costa County and the Greater Bay Area. Call local contractors near you to ask about specific services you need in the wake of a home disaster.

Contra Costa County Fire Damage Repairs
Repairs to homes after a fire are known as ‘fire damage repairs’. Unlike the immediate removal of burned areas and damaged materials, fire damage repairs include home construction, reconstruction and rebuilding after a fire destroys part or all of a home or business.

Water Damage Repairs
Rebuilding areas that have been damaged by water (including water used to put out a house fire) is often referred to as ‘water damage repairs’. This includes replacing drywall, flooring, ceilings and other areas that have had to be removed due to water content.

Flood Damage Repairs
Flood damage, either from too much rain or overflowing water sources or from sewage backups, needs to be repaired by a professional water damage repair contractors. Removal of the wet and damp areas is key, but replacement methods are also important in keeping out mold and mildew.

Partial House Renovations After a Fire or Flood
Homes or businesses that haven’t been completely destroyed or compromised by fire or flood can often be repaired with partial house renovations. These may include repairing the rooms that were marred by fire or water, or completely remodeling or replacing damaged rooms. It is important to find a qualified Contra Costa County water and fire damage contractor to seamlessly integrate the new areas with the areas undamaged by water or fire.

Reconstruction Services After Water or Fire Damage
Reconstruction services are those that take place after a fire, flood or water damage to restore homes and businesses to their original condition. Reconstruction services take place after the initial disaster response and consist of remodeling and rebuilding.

Disaster Restoration and Repairs
Natural and man-made disasters including earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, floods and sewage leaks  often devastate homes, businesses and entire neighborhoods. Local fire and water damage restoration contractors can repair damage caused by these events and restore buildings to their original condition.

Home Restoration Services in Contra Costa County
Home restoration services take place after disasters, fires, floods or other home damage. These services include removal of water, debris and materials and rebuilding or remodeling to return the home to inhabitable condition.

Ceiling Repairs
Water seeping in from roofs or upper floors can destroy ceilings, as can fires that leave soot and smoke damage. Ceiling repairs often include removing old ceiling materials and replacing them with new materials. In severe fire or water damage situations, ceiling repairs may include repairs to the roof or a complete removal of old ceiling material.

Flooring Repairs
Fires and water damage of all types often destroy flooring, including floor coverings such as carpeting and hardwood flooring down to the subflooring. Good water and fire restoration services will remove all damaged flooring and subflooring and replace it with new materials.

Basement Flooding Repairs
Sewage leaks, flood water and water after a fire can flood basements. These areas need to be cleaned out, including removal of all damaged materials, and repaired to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Basement flooding repairs often include removal and replacement of flooring, drywall, wall studs, and even ceilings (if the water came from upper floors).

Most terms and descriptions used by local water and fire repair contractors are fairly self-explanatory. However, the list of terms below should be of help when you’re communicating with the home damage repair company you’ve hired.

anti-fungal
Any action taken to prevent the growth and spreading of fungus, mold, mildew and spores is known as anti-fungal or anti-microbial action. This can include using solvents or chemicals as additives or barriers on building materials to prevent fungus growth.

Also known as: antifungal, anti-fungal treatment, anti-fungal prevention, anti-microbial protection

ceiling repairs
Water seepage and soot and smoke from fires can damage ceilings. Ceiling repairs often include removing damaged ceiling materials and replacing them with new materials.

damage assessment
The process used to determine the amount and type of damage to a property from water and/or fire.

fire damage restoration
The process of returning a home or business to its original condition following fire or smoke damage. This process includes clearing the damaged materials out of the building, cleaning the remaining surfaces, and rebuilding any parts of the home or business that are too damaged to save.

Also known as: fire damage remediation, fire remediation, fire damage repairs

partial home reconstruction
Homes that have been damaged in fires or floods often require partial reconstruction, including new flooring, new ceilings, new drywall and new subflooring.

Also known as: partial remodeling, disaster repair remodels

particles of incomplete combustion
Particles of incomplete combustion are waste particles produced after a fire. They come from ignited materials and can be toxic. PICs should be removed by fire and water restoration contractors for the continued health and well being of your family.

Also known as: PICs, PIC

post-conditions
Post-conditions are problems that occur after of homes and businesses damaged by fire or water. For example, smoke, soot, off-gassing, and heat stress often occur after a fire. Mold, fungus growth mildew, or water absorption can occur after water damage. A good water and fire damage restoration builder will help ensure these problems are repaired and do not cause further damage to your home.

reconstruction
Reconstruction services are those that completely rebuild areas that are too damaged by fire or flood to simply repair. This often includes demolition or removal of badly-damaged areas or rooms and a complete reconstruction from the subfloor to the ceilings.

structural damage repair
Damage to any part of a building’s structural support systems that may cause it to be weakened or unstable is known as structural damage. Repair to this damage may include tearing out and replacing damaged areas or replacement of a large portion of the structure.

water damage restoration
Repairing a property to the condition it was in prior to sustaining water damage . This can include the immediate water removal, dehumidifying inside air, structural drying, mold mitigation or prevention, and rebuilding any irreparable walls, ceilings, floors or other parts of the structure.

Also known as: water remediation, water damage repair services

Q: Why choose Diamond Certified restoration contractors to repair fire and water damaged homes?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a fire and water damage restoration contractor with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only fire and water damage restoration contractors rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified fire and water damage restoration contractors.

Q:  Why should I hire a professional water and fire damage restoration company instead of repairing the damaged areas myself?
A:  Whether your home has faced a flood, fire, or water damage due to a sewer spill or results of putting out a house fire, you will want to hire a professional fire and water damage restoration contractor to make your house like new again. First, you’ll want to have a certified contractor remove any hazardous materials and ensure that your home is dry and free of mold, residue and lingering smoke smells. Next, having that company or another certified renovation contractor repair the damage is key. This will ensure that the new areas of your home or those that have been repaired seamlessly fit into your existing home. It will also ensure the work is done right and to code.

Q:  What does a typical water and fire damage repair job entail?
A:  Most fire and water damage repair work includes an immediate neutralization of the problem (putting out the fire or stopping/blocking the flow of water) if possible, removal of water, dehumidification, and removing the damaged materials. After the initial clean up process, a qualified contractor is usually required to assess the damage and recommend repairs to the structure. If the structure hasn’t been compromised, a fire and water restoration contractor can repair the home or business and bring it back to pre-disaster conditions. This usually includes removing and replacing all damaged flooring, drywall, ceilings, subfloor, windows, doors, insulation, electrical and plumbing, and decorative items. The new construction should be seamlessly integrated with the original, undamaged areas.

Q:  A water repair/fire damage repair contractor contacted us after our emergency call. How can we tell if they’re taking advantage of our circumstances?
A: Some companies, sometimes referred to as ‘ambulance chasers’ or ‘firetruck chasers’, have been known to prey on homeowners who need emergency home repairs after a fire or flood. You should be able to completely trust the fire and water damage repair company you hire. If anything about the company or the contractor makes you feel uneasy, go with your gut and compare them to other local firms or search out another company to hire. However, there are some ways you can protect yourself. First, you can simply choose a Diamond Certified fire and water restoration contractor. All have been carefully vetted, including verification of license, insurance and a survey of actual customers. If you can’t find a Diamond Certified water and fire damage contractor near you, you can increase your odds of hiring a good contractor by checking references, performing careful interviews, verifying the company’s license and insurance, and signing a legal contract for the work required.