Vetting Under Pressure
When smoke is still hanging in the air, it’s tempting to hire the first company that answers the phone. Slow down just long enough to ask the right questions. A qualified fire-damage crew protects your health, salvageable belongings, and insurance payout; the wrong one can spread soot, void coverage, or create toxic indoor air. Below is a quick-fire script that separates true professionals from ash-covered amateurs.
1. Core Credentials to Verify First
| Credential | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| IICRC Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) | Crew leads hold active FSRT cards; company listed as an IICRC-Certified Firm | FSRT covers scoping, cleaning, deodorization, documentation, and insurance subrogation best practices iicrc.org |
| EPA Lead-Safe & OSHA Respiratory Program | Written respirator fit-testing records & PPE plan | OSHA requires proper respirator selection when cleaning soot laden with heavy metals and acids osha.gov |
| General liability & pollution liability insurance | $1 M minimum each, current ACORD certificates | Shields you if workers damage wiring, HVAC, or valuables |
| 24/7 emergency license/permits | Local trade license + night-work noise variance where required | Some municipalities fine owners for after-hours demolition without permits |
2. Twelve Must-Ask Questions (and Ideal Answers)
| # | Question | What You Want to Hear |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which IICRC certifications do your technicians hold? | “Every crew lead has FSRT; we also have Odor Control (OCT).” |
| 2 | How will you protect indoor air during cleanup? | “6-mil containment + negative-pressure HEPA scrubbers.” |
| 3 | What’s your plan for HVAC and ducting? | “Isolate, then clean ducts with NADCA-approved methods before restart.” |
| 4 | How do you document soot removal and odor clearance? | “Particle counter logs, photo evidence, and odor threshold tests uploaded daily.” |
| 5 | Will you handle contents cleaning on-site or off-site? | “Non-porous items stay; porous go to our UL-rated cleaning plant.” |
| 6 | Do you subcontract any demo or cleaning? | “No. Our W-2 technicians handle it; subs only for specialty rebuild.” |
| 7 | What chemicals or deodorization methods will you use? | “Hydroxyl generator first, then thermal fog with NFPA-approved compounds.” |
| 8 | Can I see a sample Xactimate estimate? | Look for detailed line items—not one lump-sum price. |
| 9 | How do you communicate with my insurance adjuster? | “Dedicated estimator provides daily job notes and adjuster-ready photo sets.” |
| 10 | What warranty do you provide on odor return? | “12-month no-smoke-odor guarantee in writing.” |
| 11 | How do you dispose of damaged materials? | “Manifested to a licensed facility; manifests uploaded for your records.” |
| 12 | Who is my single point of contact 24/7? | Direct cell number of the project manager, not a call center. |
3. Five Red Flags—Walk Away If You See These
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“We’ll paint over the soot.” (Sealing without removal traps odors and carcinogens.)
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No fit-tested respirators on crew. OSHA violation and health risk.
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Unbranded trucks/equipment. Often signals uninsured day labor.
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Cash deposit required before inspection. Reputable firms bill through Xactimate once scope is agreed.
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Estimate lacks IICRC or NFPA references. Indicates unfamiliarity with standard of care.
4. How Upper Restoration Checks Every Box
| Requirement | Our Practice |
|---|---|
| IICRC-Certified Firm | All leads hold FSRT; technicians rotate through continuing-ed every 12 months. |
| 90-Minute Arrival & Full PPE | Crews show up in fit-tested half-face respirators and Tyvek suits, even on inspections. |
| Digital Job Dashboard | Moisture, particulate, and odor readings updated in real time for owners & adjusters. |
| On-Site Contents Lab | We de-soot electronics and textiles in a mobile cleaning unit, reducing pack-out costs. |
| 12-Month No-Odor Warranty | If smoke smell returns, we re-clean at no charge. |
5. Quick Vetting Checklist
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FSRT cards & company IICRC listing verified
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Written containment & negative-air plan
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Itemized, Xactimate-style estimate
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Insurance certificates ($1 M liability + pollution) on file
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Dedicated 24/7 PM contact
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Written odor-return warranty
Conclusion – A Few Smart Questions Save Months of Headaches
Choosing a fire-damage contractor is less about price and more about proof—credentials, documented safety, and transparent communication. Use the 12-question script, watch for red flags, and make sure any crew can spell out exactly how they’ll protect both your health and your claim.
Need answers now? Call Upper Restoration 24/7 at 516-777-7001. An FSRT-certified project manager can be on-site in 90 minutes with an itemized plan in hand.
