When water damage hits your home, the last thing you want is to hire the wrong company. Knowing which certifications and questions matter can save you thousands in unnecessary work and disputes. Here is what Charlotte homeowners need to know before signing anything:
- IICRC certification (WRT and ASD) is the gold standard for water damage work
- Licensed and insured in North Carolina is non-negotiable
- Ask for written estimates, not verbal quotes
- Verify insurance certificates directly with the issuing agency
- Confirm which technicians on the crew actually hold the credentials
The most important certification any water damage or mold remediation company can hold is from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). For water damage, look for WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) and ASD (Applied Structural Drying). For mold specifically, the AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) credential tells you the crew has been trained to containment protocols and proper removal.
In North Carolina, any company entering your home should carry general liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence) and workers’ compensation coverage. If they do not carry both, any injury on your property or accidental damage becomes your problem. Ask for a certificate of insurance before they start, and verify the policy is active by calling the insurer directly.
When you call a company in Charlotte, here are the questions worth asking:
Are you IICRC certified, and which technicians on this job hold the credential? Some companies have one certified tech but put uncertified crews on-site. Ask who is actually doing the work.
Do you carry workers’ compensation? This covers their employees if someone gets hurt on your property. It is different from general liability, and you want both.
Can you provide a written scope of work before you start? A written scope shows what they will do, what equipment they will use, and what the timeline looks like. Verbal agreements are almost useless in a dispute.
How do you document moisture readings throughout the job? IICRC standards require drying logs with daily moisture readings. If a company cannot explain this, they may not be following industry standards, which can affect your insurance claim.
To verify that a company is licensed and insured in North Carolina, check the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors at nclbgc.org. For insurance, ask for the certificate and call the issuing agency to confirm the policy is active.
Statewide Restoration holds IICRC certification, carries full liability and workers compensation coverage, and serves Charlotte with rapid response times. If you have questions or need help after water damage or mold, call us at (704) 559-9922 or email info@swresto.com. We will walk you through exactly what to expect before we ever start the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What certifications should a water damage restoration company have?
The most important is IICRC certification, specifically WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) and ASD (Applied Structural Drying). For mold work, look for AMRT certification. These confirm the team follows industry standards for moisture control and structural drying.
What questions should I ask a restoration company before hiring them in Charlotte?
Ask whether they are IICRC certified, which crew members on the job hold the credential, whether they carry both general liability and workers compensation insurance, whether they provide a written scope of work, and how they document drying progress throughout the job.
How can I verify that a water damage restoration company is licensed and insured?
Check the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors at nclbgc.org to confirm their license. For insurance, request a certificate and call the issuing agency directly to verify the policy is current and the coverage amounts are accurate.
Do I need to check for certifications if my insurance company recommended the contractor?
Yes. Insurance companies refer vendors but do not always verify certifications directly. You have the right to choose your own contractor, and confirming credentials is worth doing regardless of how you found the company.
