Contracting firms are always looking for ways to distinguish themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, Alltek Restoration, Inc. sets itself apart by specializing in an aspect of the industry that few contractors are qualified to handle: damage restoration and renovation. “Our special skills allow us to leverage our expertise and provide our clients with high-quality service and workmanship during a stressful time in their lives,” says CEO Andrew Easton. “Ultimately, we want our services to make them confident that we’re leading the way toward a fast recovery.”

Alltek Restoration has been providing restoration and general construction services for residential and commercial clients throughout Northern and Central California since 2001. In addition to restoring properties that have been damaged by water, fire, termites and dry rot, the company performs remodels, tenant improvements, seismic and structural retrofits, foundation work and much more.

Unlike larger contracting firms that operate more as management companies than builders, Alltek Restoration handles every aspect of its clients’ projects either in-house or in tandem with a team of trusted subcontractors. “We use subcontractors for specialized work, but our core workers are our own employees who I directly supervise,” explains Mr. Easton. “We don’t just push paper–we know what it’s like to pick up a hammer and drive a nail because we do it every day.”

Another distinguishing feature of Alltek Restoration is its ability to handle all the work covered by its clients’ insurance claims, which greatly simplifies the process for homeowners and allows them to focus on getting their lives back in order following a disaster. “If a person’s toilet overflows, for example, they can call our 24/7 emergency service and we’ll come clean up, extract the water, and move furniture and other property away from the damaged area,” says Mr. Easton. “Once the emergency is over, we’ll restore the home to its previous condition. Our clients really appreciate that type of comprehensive service.”

When dealing with property damage caused by fire or water, it’s important to understand the difference between restoration and renovation. The words “restoration” and “renovation” mean completely different things in the construction industry. Restoration is the cleaning and mitigation of further damage to a property—for example, a water restoration technician can extract water from the premises, remove material that can’t be salvaged and dry the structure, but the actual damage repair must be handled by a renovation contractor. Most firms have both a restoration contractor and renovation contractor on staff, but their respective tasks are always different.

Unlike general construction or remodeling firms, most restoration contractors deal with existing structures that have suffered some type of loss, not just a clean slab or newly poured foundation to build upon. A certified restorer will make sure the correct processes are followed before the rebuilding process begins. For example, if you don’t properly dry a structure before rebuilding, you could encounter mold or fungus problems in the future. If your property is damaged by smoke or fire and isn’t cleaned and treated properly, smoke odor and stains can still reappear even after new paint is applied to the affected surfaces.

Before any damage restoration work begins, it’s important to thoroughly review your insurance policies with your broker to ensure you have the right type of coverage. “Most insurance policies will cover basics like fire and water damage, but there are many other factors that can impact a claim, such as mold or fungus damage and building code upgrades,” says Andrew Easton, CEO of Easton Construction Group, Inc. in Antioch. “It’s not enough for your insurance policy to cover restoring the property to its previous condition; it should also cover restoration to current building codes.”

Some insurance policies limit coverage of code upgrades, so make sure yours covers the full value of the policy. Don’t treat your insurance policy like a boilerplate document and automatically sign it without reviewing the coverage provisions in detail. If you aren’t careful, uncovered expenses will come out of your own pocket.

Q: How long does the restoration process take to complete?

A: It depends on the type and extent of the damage. When we show up, we’ll help you understand exactly what it will take to restore your home or business, from submitting your insurance claim to addressing mortgage company concerns to providing the proper documentation.

Q: How much training do your employees have?

A: All our reconstruction employees are equipped and trained to the journeyman level, and most are certified in water and fire damage restoration. We maintain a ratio of one apprentice to three journeymen, so you can be assured you’ll receive high-quality service.

Q: Do I need to submit an insurance claim before hiring a contractor?

A: Yes, and that’s for your own protection. If you sign a contract or give instructions to a contractor before submitting a claim, there’s a risk that the insurance company won’t pay for all the contractor’s fees. It’s still a good idea to talk to a contractor first, and firms that specialize in restoration work will even help you start the insurance claim process.

Q: Is it a good idea to deal with my insurance company myself?

A: No, it’s usually better to let a restoration contractor handle the insurance claim. They have expertise in the intricacies of the process.

Q: Do you provide emergency response services?

A: Yes, we’re available 24/7 in case of an emergency. We’ll immediately dispatch a team to your house to assess the damages, explain the course of action required and, with your approval, start working to prevent further loss and damages.