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3 Mistakes Property Owners Make After a Disaster (and How to Avoid Them)

    Woman attempting water cleanup on wood floors after pipe burst—showcasing a common disaster restoration mistake made before professional help arrives.

    ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons team responding to a residential property with visible yellow service vehicles, delivering post-disaster recovery services.

    Disaster Recovery Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make: A Chicago Property Owner’s Guide

    When disaster strikes—a fire, flood, or storm—it’s only natural to react fast and think in survival mode: Stop, drop, and roll. Head to the basement. Duck under a doorway. But once the immediate danger is over, what happens next can either protect your investment… or compound the damage.  Don’t make Disaster Restoration Mistakes!

    At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve spent decades helping Chicago-area homeowners and business owners recover from unexpected disasters. And we’ve seen a pattern: three common, costly mistakes that property owners make after a catastrophe.

    Here’s what NOT to do—and how to make smarter decisions that can save you money, time, and stress.


    Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long to Take Action

    After a disaster, denial can feel easier than dealing with reality. Many people hope the damage will dry up, blow over, or resolve on its own. But the truth is, waiting makes everything worse.

    🔍 Why It Happens:

    • “Let’s wait and see how bad it gets.”

    • “It doesn’t look that serious.”

    • “We’ll handle it this weekend.”

    🚨 What’s Really Happening:

    Disaster-related damage gets worse by the hour. Water seeps into drywall, floors warp, mold begins to form, and soot residues settle deep into porous materials.

    “After just 24 to 48 hours of water exposure, mold can begin to grow.”
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    https://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm

    ✅ What to Do Instead:

    • Call a licensed restoration company immediately

    • Document everything with photos and video

    • Avoid touching or cleaning anything until an expert assesses it


    Mistake #2: Rushing to Hire a Restoration Company

    We get it. You want the mess cleaned up, fast. But choosing the first company you call—or the cheapest one—can backfire.

    🔍 Why It Happens:

    • “They said they could start tomorrow.”

    • “They offered to waive our deductible.”

    • “They quoted a price that was too good to pass up.”

    🚨 The Real Risk:

    • Unlicensed or untrained contractors

    • Insurance issues from lack of documentation

    • Delayed or incomplete repairs

    • Hidden costs or upsells after the work begins

    “Hiring the right contractor is crucial in post-disaster recovery. Always verify credentials and experience.”
    FEMA
    https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-select-contractor

    ✅ What to Do Instead:

    • Collect bids from 3 qualified, IICRC-certified companies

    • Ask for proof of insurance, licenses, and references

    • Make sure the estimate includes a full scope of work

    • Don’t commit to anyone who gives quotes over the phone only

    Need a trusted team that’s licensed, local, and certified?
    👉 https://www.servicemaster-rbs.com/services/


    Mistake #3: Starting the Cleanup Before It’s Documented

    This is one of the most damaging disaster restoration mistakes a property owner can make. You want to help. You want to get ahead of the damage. But if you clean before documenting, your insurance company may deny your claim.

    🔍 Why It Happens:

    • You’re trying to reduce damage

    • You want to make your home safer, cleaner

    • You assume insurance will just take your word for it

    🚨 What’s the Risk?

    • You lose proof of how much damage occurred

    • You can’t verify the cause of the loss

    • You may get denied for coverage

    “Insurance claims often get denied due to lack of evidence—especially if cleanup was done too soon.”
    Insurance Information Institute
    https://www.iii.org/article/how-file-homeowners-insurance-claim

    ✅ What to Do Instead:

    • Take wide and close-up photos of every affected area

    • Record the time and date of damage discovery

    • Let your restoration company do the first cleaning steps—they know how to document for insurance

    Looking for a team that understands claims documentation and works directly with your insurance company?
    👉 https://www.servicemaster-rbs.com/contact/


    ✔️ How to Avoid These Mistakes

    Don’t let disaster restoration mistakes turn into a second disaster. Here’s a simple checklist to guide you:

    📝 Post-Disaster Checklist for Homeowners & Property Managers

    • Call a licensed disaster restoration company immediately

    • Avoid hiring based on price alone—verify credentials

    • Get multiple written estimates with detailed scopes

    • Don’t begin cleanup until everything is documented

    • Let your restoration company assist with insurance paperwork

    • Choose local experts with Chicago building code experience

    Get help now:
    📞 Call 847-316-9145 or visit
    👉 https://www.servicemaster-rbs.com/


    🧱 Why Choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons?

    We’ve proudly served Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore for over 30 years. We’re IICRC-certified, OSHA-trained, MBE/WBE certified, and family-operated. Awards include:

    • 🏆 SB100 Best of Small Business Award 2021

    • 🏆 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics 2020

    • 🏆 Bronze Stevie® Award – Female Entrepreneur of the Year

    • 🏆 Skokie Business of the Year – Honorable Mention

    From emergency water removal to full-scale reconstruction, we’re your one-stop solution for restoration done right.

    Learn more about our full services:
    👉 https://www.servicemaster-rbs.com/services/


    📚 About the Authors

    This blog was written by Sam Simon and Nasutsa Mabwa, co-owners of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons and co-authors of the industry-respected book:
    RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home as Your Most Valuable Asset

    Buy it now on Amazon:       👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779529

    🔗 INTERNAL URLS

    Author

    • Nasutsa Mabwa

      About Nasutsa Mabwa

      Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

      A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.  She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

      Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

      She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.
      📘 Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/RESTORE-complete-protecting-valuable-disasters/dp/1952779529

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