FAQ: What Exactly Is Disaster Restoration and Why Does Advance Restoration Do It Better Than Other Disaster Restoration Companies in the Detroit Metro Area?
- tnf567
- Jul 8
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
ADVANCE RESTORATION, Your Trusted Partner for Disaster Recovery in Southeast Michigan -
24/7 Emergency Line: (877) 363-7462 | www.advancerestorations.com
Advance Restoration is Southeast Michigan’s premier, locally owned disaster restoration company. Unlike many competitors that are small, independently owned franchises with limited resources, Advance Restoration is one large, fully integrated company with its own massive fleet of service vehicles, industrial-grade equipment, and a dedicated team of IICRC-certified professionals.
We have successfully completed thousands of projects — including massive industrial losses — across Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, Monroe, Lapeer, Genesee, and Livingston counties.
Below are answers to the most common questions homeowners and business owners ask when disaster strikes.
General Emergency Questions -
What should I do immediately after water, fire, or storm damage occurs?
Stop the source of damage if it is safe (turn off water or electricity if needed). Avoid entering unsafe areas. Call Advance Restoration right away at (877) 363-7462 — our 24/7 emergency team will guide you and dispatch help immediately. Quick action prevents secondary damage like mold growth or structural weakening.
How fast can you respond?
We offer true 24/7 emergency response with lightning-quick arrival times. Our large, single-company operation allows us to mobilize multiple crews and equipment simultaneously — something many small franchise operations cannot match. Our typical response time is less than an hour to any location in our service area.
Do you work directly with insurance companies?
Yes. We are experienced with all major insurance carriers. We document everything thoroughly, communicate directly with your adjuster, and handle the claims process to make restoration as stress-free as possible. We even offer direct billing to your insurance carrier.
Water Damage Restoration -
What is water damage restoration and who needs it?
Water damage restoration involves emergency water extraction, structural drying, moisture mapping, content cleaning/restoration, and full reconstruction to return your property to pre-loss condition (or better). It is needed after burst pipes, appliance failures, roof leaks, flooding, sewage backups, or fire-suppression system discharges. Both homeowners and businesses (especially manufacturing, warehouses, and offices) require it to prevent mold, structural damage, and health hazards.
Why is Advance Restoration the best choice for water damage in Southeast Michigan?
We are not a collection of small independent franchises. We are one large, locally owned company with a massive fleet of service vehicles and industrial-grade equipment — including high-capacity extraction trucks, mobile command units, and thousands of feet of high-volume hoses. This allows us to handle even the largest losses quickly and effectively.
A perfect example is our work in Madison Heights on a 60,000-square-foot automotive parts manufacturing and storage facility. An 8-inch fire suppression pipe burst and flooded the entire building, soaking production equipment and stored parts. Our team rapidly deployed a large portion of our commercial fleet (response vans, mobile command unit, equipment trucks) and extracted thousands of gallons of water while protecting inventory and minimizing downtime. No small franchise could have mobilized resources like this.
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration -
What does fire and smoke damage restoration include?
Emergency board-up and tarping, soot and smoke removal, odor neutralization, content cleaning/restoration, and full structural reconstruction. Smoke and soot can penetrate walls, HVAC systems, and belongings, causing long-term damage and health issues if not properly addressed.
Who needs it?
Any home or business that has experienced a fire, even a small one, or heavy smoke exposure from a neighboring fire.
Why Advance Restoration?
Our single large-company structure gives us the manpower and equipment to secure properties immediately and perform thorough cleaning and restoration. We treat every client like family with personalized service that franchise models often lack.
Mold Remediation -
What is professional mold remediation?
Inspection, containment, removal of affected materials, antimicrobial treatment, HEPA air filtration, and moisture control to eliminate mold at the source and prevent recurrence. We follow strict IICRC protocols.
Who needs it?
Anyone with visible mold, musty odors, or hidden moisture problems after water damage. It is especially critical in homes with children, elderly residents, or anyone with respiratory issues — and in commercial buildings where it can affect operations and employee health.
Why Advance Restoration?
Our certified technicians use advanced equipment and protocols. Because we are one large company with extensive in-house resources, we can address both the mold and any underlying water issues in a coordinated, efficient manner.
Storm Damage Restoration (Wind, Hail, Tornado) -
What does storm damage restoration cover?
Emergency tarping and board-up, debris removal, water intrusion repair, structural assessment, and full reconstruction. We also handle hail damage to roofs and siding.
Who needs it?
Homeowners and businesses hit by severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail, or tornadoes common in Southeast Michigan.
Why Advance Restoration?
We maintain a 39-foot mobile command unit and a large fleet specifically equipped for rapid storm response. As one unified large company, we can deploy multiple teams and heavy equipment across the region without the limitations of small franchise operators.
Biohazard & Crime Scene Cleaning -
What services are included?
Professional cleaning and decontamination after crime scenes, unattended deaths, hoarding situations, infectious disease outbreaks, and hazardous material incidents such as the discovery of asbestos (asbestos abatement). We ensure the property is safe and restored to a habitable condition.
Who needs it?
Property owners, property managers, and businesses facing traumatic or hazardous situations.
Why Advance Restoration?
We bring the same industrial-grade equipment, trained personnel, and single-company reliability to these sensitive jobs.
Capabilities & Why Choose Advance Restoration -
Can you handle large commercial or industrial jobs?
Absolutely. Our size and resources as one large, locally owned company — not a network of small franchises — allow us to manage massive projects that overwhelm smaller operators. The Madison Heights 60,000 sq ft industrial flood is just one example of our proven ability.
What kind of equipment and fleet do you have?
We operate a massive fleet of disaster recovery trucks, industrial-grade equipment trailers, high-capacity dehumidifiers and air movers, extraction units, and 39-foot mobile command centers. This equipment and our in-house team give us the capacity to tackle any size loss efficiently.
How long does restoration take?
It depends on the scope, but our goal is always the fastest possible timeline without cutting corners. Our large team and equipment allow us to work on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Why does reconstruction sometimes take longer than expected after a disaster?
We understand that seeing negative reviews mentioning delays in reconstruction can be concerning. The truth is that reconstruction timelines in disaster restoration are often influenced by factors beyond the restoration company's control — especially when homeowners prefer not to pay any sums out of pocket.
Common Causes of Reconstruction Delays
Insurance Approval & Reimbursement Process — Many homeowners choose not to front the significant costs of reconstruction themselves. In these cases, they rely on their insurance company to approve the scope of work, issue payments, or reimburse expenses. Insurance carriers frequently require detailed documentation, multiple inspections, and adjuster approvals, which can extend timelines significantly. This is a standard part of the industry, not a reflection of the restoration company's performance.
Mortgage Lender Requirements — If your property has a mortgage, the lender often must review and approve payments or work authorizations before funds are released to the restoration contractor. This additional layer of oversight is common and can add weeks or months to the project.
HARP Loans or Other Financing — Applying for and securing loans to cover upfront reconstruction costs also introduces review and approval periods.
These delays are typical across the disaster restoration industry, regardless of the company. Small, independent operators or franchises with limited administrative resources can struggle even more with the paperwork and coordination required for direct insurance billing and multi-party approvals.
How Advance Restoration Helps Reduce Delays
As one large, experienced, locally owned company (not a network of small independent franchises), Advance Restoration excels at direct billing to insurance carriers. Our team proactively manages documentation, coordinates with adjusters, and streamlines communication to move claims forward efficiently.
We are also an FHA 203(k) Certified Contractor, which allows us to guide qualified homeowners through FHA rehabilitation loan options. These loans can finance both the home and necessary repairs/reconstruction in one mortgage, helping bridge funding gaps when insurance or out-of-pocket payment isn’t immediate.
Our scale, dedicated claims specialists, and industry relationships enable us to handle the administrative side of projects more effectively than smaller operators, keeping your job progressing as quickly as approvals permit.
Our Advice: Contact your insurance company early to understand your policy and timeline expectations. Our team is available to join calls, explain the process, and discuss financing options tailored to your situation.
Questions about your project timeline? Call us 24/7 at (877) 363-7462. We believe in full transparency and will always provide realistic expectations based on your specific circumstances.
Advance Restoration — Experienced. Equipped. Committed to transparency.
What sets Advance Restoration apart from other companies?
One large, locally owned company (not a franchise network of independent owners)
Massive in-house fleet and industrial equipment
Proven track record on large-scale residential, commercial, and industrial projects
IICRC-certified technicians and high customer satisfaction
Personalized service treating every client like family
Full-service capability from emergency mitigation through complete reconstruction
When disaster strikes your home or workplace, you want a single, powerful, reliable partner — not a small franchise that may lack resources for bigger jobs.
Ready for immediate help?
Call (877) 363-7462 anytime — day or night.
Visit www.advancerestorations.com to request service or learn more.
Advance Restoration — Restoring lives and properties across Southeast Michigan with strength, speed, and integrity.
📍 Serving all of Southeast Michigan - Wayne County, Macomb County, Oakland County, St. Clair County, Washtenaw County, Monroe County, Lapeer County, Genesee County, and Livingston County
📍 Serving all of Southeast Michigan - Ann Arbor, St. Clair Shores, Northville, Detroit, Wixom, Allen Park, Brighton, Lapeer, Dearborn, Livonia, Westland, Taylor, Imlay City, Burton, Davison, Fenton, Troy, Plymouth, Canton, Belleville, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Southfield, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Warren, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Eastpointe, Port Huron, Marysville, Ypsilanti, Saline, and Monroe.
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