"What Certifications Do Your Technicians Hold?"
Listen for a specific answer like IICRC WRT or ASD certification, not just the word "certified" with nothing behind it. If the answer is vague, ask a follow-up: which specific IICRC course did your lead technician complete, and when.
"Do I Get a Written Estimate Before Any Work Begins?"
A real estimate, even a preliminary one, should exist before any work begins. A company that wants to start first and discuss pricing later is asking you to trust them with an open-ended bill, which is a risk worth avoiding.
"What Will My Insurance Adjuster Receive From You?"
Ask specifically whether they photograph moisture readings throughout the job, not just a single before-and-after shot. Thin documentation is one of the most common reasons an insurance claim gets underpaid or delayed.
"What Machines Will Be Running in My Home, and Why?"
You're listening for specifics: LGR dehumidifiers, air movers calibrated to the affected square footage, and FLIR thermal imaging to confirm hidden moisture. A vague answer like "industrial equipment" without naming anything specific suggests they may not actually have it.
A qualified answer names specific machines and their jobs: an extractor to pull standing water, LGR dehumidifiers to drop humidity, air movers for airflow, and moisture meters to prove progress. Our water extraction and structural drying pages walk through that lineup, which makes a hand-wavy answer easy to spot.
"Have You Worked in My Specific Neighborhood Before?"
This question tests real local knowledge. A company familiar with Bothell should recognize the Sammamish River and North Creek flood pattern and know that much of the city's older housing uses crawl-space construction rather than a slab foundation. A generic answer here is a sign of a generic operation.
"What If You Find More Damage Once the Walls Come Open?"
Water damage almost always reveals more than what's visible at first glance. Ask how they handle scope changes and additional costs once walls or flooring come up, since a company with a clear process here is less likely to surprise you with a number that's grown well beyond the original estimate.
"Are You Licensed and Insured for This Type of Work in Washington?"
Water damage restoration and reconstruction are treated differently under Washington law. Washington has no mold-specific contractor license, but structural-repair work, like rebuilding drywall or framing, falls under L&I general contractor registration per RCW 18.27. Ask directly whether the company holds that registration if your job is likely to involve any rebuild, not just extraction and drying, since a company without it legally shouldn't be performing that scope of work.
Ready to ask us these questions directly? Call (425) 917-6048. Our crew is IICRC-certified and L&I-registered under RCW 18.27, and we'll answer every one of them before you decide.