First Choice Restoration Inc

We had a fairly major leak under our main kitchen sink. The plumber who came suggested that we might need a water damage remediation company to have a look. He made a call to First Choice Restoration on our behalf, and a representative arrived within an hour. He discussed with us the need to remove damaged wood and wall board under both kitchen sinks (there had been previous leaks under both), and the danger of mold. He also mentioned that our home owners insurance would probably cover everything. We checked with our insurance company on the deductible, etc. They covered work on the main kitchen side -- after our high deductible -- but not on the other side. We decided to go ahead, and made arrangements both to pay the full deductible to First Choice immediately and half of the non-covered project. We also arranged for our insurance adjuster to come, and sent the paperwork the adjuster gave us to First Choice. The next day the man who came initially arrived with a helper and they very efficiently and neatly propped up the counters, removed the cabinets and affected areas of wallboard, and installed large drying units on both sides of the kitchen. He came back a few days later to remove the dryers. We asked what was next and he said a man (he gave a name) would come in a day or two to take the next steps. No one came, so on the third day I contacted the company. They sent an estimator the next day. He stayed for a few minutes. We asked what was next. He said he would work with our insurance company and then they would begin work. After a few days with no contact, I called the estimator. He indicated that he had sent his estimate to our insurance company but had not heard from them. I offered to call them myself, which I did. It took a day to get the insurance person to speak to me, but he indicated that the cost submitted by First Choice was within their own adjuster's estimate, so First Choice should not be waiting on them to proceed. When I said I thought they WERE waiting, he called First Choice and told me he had. After several more days and several more phone calls on my part, I was given the name of a person who was purported to be our project manager! After several more days, some very professional workmen came and within two days they had everything repaired and in place, and looking as though nothing had ever happened. We had in the meantime had many more visits from our plumbers as we decided to get rid of our reverse osmosis system and replace our kitchen faucets, all of which were responsible for leaks. We received invoices a few days later. We took care of the insurance-side work immediately, because the bill for that was clear and the insurance company had paid us rather than First Choice for the cost above the deductible. It took another couple of weeks and several more phone calls and e-mails to get an itemized invoice for the non-insurance project -- one that did not include work on plumbing that they did not have to do. We were without the use of our kitchen sinks and without cabinets for over three weeks, which was longer than we had been led to believe it would take. Overall - very good work, but very poor project management and communication.

I had a water leak as a result of one of the storms last season. I called First Choice Restoration and they were very responsive and even had someone come out that day. Their employee took a look at the damage, sealed the leak temporarily and placed a few dehumidifier units to remove excess moisture and a few fans to keep the area dry. I additionally purchased a service from First Choice that included a professional inspection and detailed report that showed what work had been completed and that all moisture has been removed. This was a service that First Choice offered to me and that I paid $500 extra for. It seemed like a lot, but I wanted the report in case I ever decide to sell the house. I could then help assure the new buyer that all of the work had been completed appropriately. First Choice demanded payment for all services prior to the report being released. I paid $5500 for the services to them promptly. They were very unresponsive after my payment was made and I've never received the report that I paid for.

TOOK TOO MUCH TIME, PRICES WERE HIGH, TOOK A LOT OF TIME TO RETURN CALLS, AND MADE A MESS. CHARLOTTE WAS REALLY GOOD TO PICK UP ALL THE PIECES, BUT WATCH OUT FOR RICK.