Hire a water damage contractor by asking for a written scope, a list of the materials to be removed, a drying plan with readings, and the name of the person who will approve changes. Ask which licenses or registrations apply to the work, ask to see the paperwork, and check each one with the agency that issues it before the work begins.
Key takeaways
- Ask for the scope in writing, including the materials to be removed and the reason for each.
- Ask which licenses, registrations or permits apply to the work, and ask to see the paperwork before work starts.
- Check any credential the contractor gives you with the agency that issues it, rather than relying on the contractor's word.
- Ask how the drying will be measured, how often the readings will be taken and what the dry level is for each material.
- Ask who will be on site, how changes to the scope are approved and how you will be told about them.
- Keep every written document, including the scope, the readings, the invoices and any change order, in one place.
What should a written water damage scope include?
A written scope should list the rooms affected, the materials to be removed and the reason for each removal, the drying plan and the target readings, and the expected number of visits. It should also say what the contractor will not do, such as repairs to plumbing or roofing.
A scope that says only that the job will be done as needed gives no protection to the owner. A scope that names each room and material, and the reason it is being removed, lets the owner see what is being done and why. Ask the contractor to explain any line that is unclear.
The scope should be updated when the readings change the picture, and each change should be approved before the work continues. A scope that has a history of approved changes is the best record for an insurer or a later repair contractor.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which materials will be removed, and why? | Removal is the largest variable in the scope, and each item should have a reason. |
| How will drying be measured? | Readings against a dry target show when the structure is dry; surface feel does not. |
| How many visits are planned? | A visit count lets the owner plan access and check that the drying is on schedule. |
| Who approves changes to the scope? | One named person prevents decisions being made by several people at once. |
| Which licenses, registrations or permits apply to this work? | The answer tells you which agency to check and which paperwork to ask for. |
| Who is on site, and who is responsible for them? | The owner should know who is in the building and who answers for their work. |
How do I check a contractor's credentials?
Ask for the license, registration or permit number, and check it directly with the agency that issues it. A credential that cannot be checked is not a credential you can rely on. Keep a copy of what you were shown and the date you checked it.
A contractor should be able to name each credential that applies to the work and show the paperwork without hesitation. If a contractor is vague about which credentials apply, ask the question again in writing, and ask which agency issues each one.
The check itself is simple. Look up the number on the agency's own site or call the agency, and confirm that the name, the number and the status match what the contractor gave you. Do not rely on a copy of a document that was sent by the contractor alone.
Which credentials apply to water damage work in Alabama?
This guide does not name an Alabama license or category for water damage or mold work, because the sources do not confirm one. The contractor should tell you which credentials apply to each part of the job, and the trade work, such as plumbing or electrical repair, carries its own paperwork.
Some parts of a water damage job are trade work that has its own requirements. Plumbing repairs, electrical work and roofing are performed by the trades that own them, and each trade brings its own paperwork. Ask the contractor who performs each part and what credentials that person holds.
For mold work, ask what standard the work follows and what credentials apply to it, and check the answer with the agency named by the contractor. The site makes no claim about a mold license, and a contractor who names one should be asked to show it.
What should I expect on the first visit?
On the first visit the contractor should walk the affected rooms, check the power and the water, take readings and explain the first plan. You should be told what will happen next, what the first scope covers and what will be decided later.
A good first visit is organized around measurement. The technician reads the materials, marks the readings on a map and shows you where the water went. The decisions about removal come after the readings, and you are part of those decisions.
Ask the technician to show you the readings and to explain the scope room by room. If anything is unclear, ask for it to be written down before the equipment is set up, so the plan and the expectation match.
How should I compare two quotes or scopes?
Compare the rooms, the materials to be removed, the drying plan, the visit count and the people responsible. A short written scope that lists each item and its reason is easier to compare than a lump-sum figure with no detail. Do not choose on the price alone.
Two scopes can look similar at first and differ in the materials they remove. One may remove the carpet pad and the lower drywall, while the other dries them in place. The difference matters for the result and for the cost, so the materials list is the first thing to compare.
Ask each contractor to explain the difference in writing. A contractor who can explain the scope clearly and who gives you the readings and the drying plan is one you can check. A scope that cannot be explained is harder to rely on, however attractive the number.
What if a contractor asks for payment before the scope is written?
Ask for the scope in writing before any payment is made, and ask for the payment terms to be tied to the work completed. A request for full payment before the scope exists is a reason to slow down and check the business before going further.
A written scope and a clear payment schedule protect both sides. The owner knows what is being done, and the contractor knows when each stage will be paid. Payment that comes before the scope is written removes the owner's leverage if the work is not what was expected.
Ask the contractor to explain the schedule in the agreement, and check that the agreement describes what happens if the work stops or a change is needed. Keep every payment record with the scope it relates to, so that the file shows what was paid for and when.
Keep the agreement and the scope together, and ask for a copy of each signed change order as it is approved. A file built this way is easy to review if a dispute arises, and it shows the owner's decisions as they were made rather than as they are remembered later.
Also ask how a dispute about the work will be handled. An agreement that names a person to call and a written process for raising a concern is more useful than one that is silent on the subject.
What should a contract say about changes?
A contract should say how changes to the scope are proposed, approved and recorded. It should also say who approves them, how quickly you will be told and what happens to work that is already done when a change is made.
A change order is the record of a change. It describes the new work, the reason for it and the approval. Without one, the owner can be surprised by a bill for work they did not expect, so ask for the change process to be written in the agreement.
The agreement should also say how the drying is paid for if it runs longer than expected. The owner should know whether the time is covered by the scope and what it will cost if the readings take longer to reach the dry level. Ask the question before the work begins.
What should I keep after the work is done?
Keep the signed scope, the change orders, the readings, the photographs, the removed-materials list, the final readings and every invoice. These documents support the insurer, any later repair and any question that arises about the work.
The final readings show that the structure was dry when the work ended. The removed-materials list shows what was taken out. The invoices show what was paid for. Keep copies in a folder that is easy to find.
If a problem appears after the work is finished, call the contractor first and send the record with the call. The owner's record makes it easier to see whether the problem is part of the original work or something new.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay the full amount before the work starts?
Ask for the payment terms in writing before the work begins. A payment schedule tied to the work completed is easier to check than a single payment up front. No figure is given here, because the terms depend on the scope and the agreement.
What if the contractor will not put the scope in writing?
Ask again, and say that the scope is needed for your insurer and for your records. A contractor who will not describe the work in writing is harder to check, and you should consider whether that is the right choice.
How do I know the contractor is the one who will be on site?
Ask for the names of the people who will be on site and confirm them in writing. Ask who is responsible for their work and how to reach that person. A contractor should be able to answer both questions without delay.
Can I check a contractor's paperwork myself?
Yes. Look up each license, registration or permit number with the agency that issues it, and confirm that the name and the status match. Keep a note of the date you checked, and the result.
Does a restoration company need to repair the damage too?
Not always. Water damage restoration dries the structure and removes damaged materials. Rebuilding, finishing and trade repairs are often done by other contractors, and the scope should say which work is included.
What if I am not satisfied with the work?
Raise the problem with the contractor in writing, with the readings and photographs that show it. Keep the record of every visit. If the problem is not resolved, your insurer and the agency that issues any credential may be able to advise on the next step.
This guide is general information for Montgomery County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.