Choosing a restoration company
Restoration companies in the valley range from national franchises with a local owner to two-person shops. Size isn't the thing to sort on. What matters is whether they measure moisture and show you the readings, put the scope in writing, and hold a Utah contractor license for any rebuild.
The questions that sort them
- How will you document drying? You want daily moisture readings and photos, start to finish.
- Can I see the scope in writing before work starts? With active water, drying may start on the first visit; ask what that first day costs.
- Do you rebuild, or hand that off? If they rebuild, ask for the Utah contractor license number.
- What am I signing? A work authorization, or something that assigns your insurance benefits?
- Who will be in my house? Employees or subcontractors, and are they insured?
Utah licensing, in plain terms
Utah licenses construction trades through the Division of Professional Licensing. Under Utah Code 58-55-305, a person can do repair work without a contractor license only when the contracted value is under $7,000 for labor and materials together, and must file an insurance affirmation with DOPL once a project passes $3,000. Plumbing and electrical work need the licensed trade regardless, as do HVAC and gas work. We didn't find a separate Utah license for drying or mold removal, so the license to ask about is the one that covers the rebuild.
Check any license at DOPL's licensee lookup.
Franchise or local?
A national franchise is a locally owned business using a shared brand and call center. That can mean more equipment on a big job and an easy fit with insurers. A local independent company can be just as equipped and more flexible. Quality varies by owner in both. Judge the company in front of you on the questions above, not on the sign on the truck.
- A written scope and price before work starts. What gets removed, what gets dried or cleaned, and for how long.
- Moisture readings and photos. Taken at the start and the end, so any adjuster can see the job was finished.
- No pressure to sign on the spot. You can read anything before you sign it, including any form that mentions your insurance.
- A licensed contractor for the rebuild. Utah requires one for repair work of $7,000 or more, and for plumbing and electrical work of any size.
Questions Salt Lake homeowners ask
Does Utah require restoration companies to be licensed?
Utah licenses construction trades through the Division of Professional Licensing. Repair work on a building with a contracted value of $7,000 or more needs a licensed contractor. Plumbing or electrical work needs a licensed plumber or electrician at any size (Utah Code 58-55-305). Below $7,000, an unlicensed person must file an insurance affirmation once a job passes $3,000. Look up any license at the DOPL lookup.
Are national restoration franchises better than local companies?
Not necessarily. A national franchise is a locally owned business using a shared brand, and quality varies by owner. A local independent company can be just as equipped. What matters more is a written scope, moisture readings you can see, and a contractor license for any rebuild work.
Should I get more than one quote?
For an emergency, get the water out first; you can still get a second price for the rebuild. Send the second company the drying logs and scope so they price the same job.