Serv Pro Park Ridge

There was flooding in the Park Ridge area, and I had sewage backed up into my basement. The sewage water had gone down the drain by the time ServPro came to the house. ServPro would only come out to my house if I filed a cliam with my insurance company and provided the claim number to them. I did what they asked, so they came to the house but would not provide an estimate. I was reluctant, but the only other service provider I could find wouldn't be able to get to my house to give an estimate for 3 days or so. I was desperate. They seemed professional and so I trusted them (I know, stupid on my part). They cleaned the basement adequately. I have no issues with that. The issue I have is with the billing. When they were at the house they told me there was so much flooding in the area that an insurance adjuster probably wouldn't even come to my house. ServPro thought the insurance company would just pay their invoice without question, or so they told me. They sent the invoice directly to the insurance company (who did send and adjuster to the house after ServPro was done, but before the invoice was sent). They did not send me a copy of the invoice. The insurance company had to forward the invoice to me and there were charges for services they didn't provide. There were pictures on the invoice of someone elses basement included with pictures of my basement. The pictures of the other persons basement showed much more equipment in it than what was in my basement. They also increased the charges for the services they did provide. I had 2 or 3 air movers in my basement for 3 days and 1 dehumidifier for 2 days. They billed for 11 air movers for 4 days and 2 dehumidifiers for 4 days. When I approached the owner, MIchael Grace, he reluctantly removed the charges for the services he didn't provide, but told me the equipment charges were correct. I had to get an attorney involved before ServPro lowered the charges. My neighbors had the same service provided, but used Service Master. Their charges were around $2,000. ServPro's initial invoice was for $6,200!!! We finally settled on $4,100, which I paid. Later, I remembered I had already given him $500, so I asked MIchael Grace for the $500 back. He ignored my request. It seems ServPro's business model is to take advantage of people when they are desperately seeking help. Furthermore, Michael Grace's actions with the billing were outrageous and extremely inaccurate. I would highly recommend that no one use his services or any other ServPro franchise.