United Water Restoration Group, Inc. - Orlando

I recently employed United Water Restoration Group, Inc. and its ?sister company? United Reconstruction Group, Inc., to complete work at my home, and have thus, undertaken this review in 2 parts.

1. United Water Restoration Group, Inc. (UWRG)
I employed United Water Restoration Group (UWRG) on December 29, 2015, on the recommendation of a local plumber?mainly because they were the only company (given the holiday season) that I could engage on short notice to mitigate a bathroom plumbing failure in my home that also revealed a significant mold infestation. 

Company representatives arrived that afternoon and, after discussing my options with them, I signed papers assigning my homeowners insurance rights benefits, and proceeds to UWRG for their efforts in water mitigation and the elimination of mold. In addition, I agreed that their sister company, United Reconstruction Group, Inc., would complete the subsequent demolition and reconstruction of my bathroom.

UWRG reps set immediately to work removing drywall and applying disinfectants to the areas affected by mold in my home.  They installed 4 machines (including a HEPA-filter) to dry-out areas affected by the water damage and mold.  Representatives returned 4 days later to remove the machines.  Total time spent on site by UWRG representatives was approximately three hours or less.  I can report that UWRG?s work was thorough and professional.

That said, I subsequently learned from my insurance company that UWRG billed them $8256 for these services?an amount, according to my insurance adjuster, nearly 5 times the going rate charged by other mitigation companies.  My insurance company refused to pay UWRG the full amount and instead, sent them a check for $1685.  A week or so later, a bill addressed to me
arrived from UWRG requesting payment of the remaining amount due, $6571.  When I telephoned UWRG and pointed out that
the terms of my assignment contract specifically stated that, other than the payment of my $500 deductible, "there will be no additional cost to the owner above or beyond the amount paid by the insurance carrier," the company representative apologized and stated that the billing had been sent to me in error. Apparently UWRG and my insurance company are still engaged in trying to
settle the matter of final payment, possibly through mediation.

To reiterate, UWRG?s work in my home was prompt, thorough and professional; hence, I have given the company some high ratings.  It is possible that UWRG?s bill was high owing to the fact that they were engaged during the holiday season.  That said, I don?t think I?d use the company again given the problems my insurance company encountered with them?problems that spilled over to affect me.  Of course, other individuals in less pressing situations than those I faced could well have a better experience with UWRG. My advice would be to shop competing firms if possible, or at the very least, to obtain a firm estimate of costs from UWRG prior to engaging the company.

2.  United Reconstruction Group, Inc. 
This company (the ?sister company? of the above-referenced United Water Restoration Group, Inc.) began the demolition and reconstruction of my bathroom on January 6, 2016.  I found the Project Manager, Mr. Clark Davis, to be easy to work with, dependable, and professional.  He took the time to explain which expenses my assigned homeowners insurance benefits would cover.  Likewise, he worked closely with me to manage the cost of several change-order upgrades that I agreed to pay for myself.  The demolition and reconstruction work was undertaken by several subcontractors over a period ending February 5, 2016.  The completed work included:

**Demolition of the existing water-damaged bathroom (removal of drywall, tile, shower pan, vanity cabinets) as well as the removal
of water damaged carpeting in the adjoining bedroom and walk-in closet;
**Reconstruction of the bathroom (new drywall/drywall texturing and paint; new shower pan; floor-to-ceiling tile work; installation of new vanity cabinets and plumbing fixtures); and
**Installation of laminate flooring in the bedroom and adjoining walk-in closet; post-construction cleanup.

All of the work completed by United Reconstruction Group?s various subcontractors was highly satisfactory and professional and I am very pleased with the finished product.