What It Takes to Run a Small-Business Restoration Company in Chicago — And Why It Matters for Homeowners
Sam Simon
September 11, 2025Owning a small-business restoration company in Chicago means 24/7 response, deep certification, and personal accountability. Here’s why that matters for homeowners choosing a trusted partner after fire, water, or mold damage.
Owning a Restoration Company: More Than a Job
Running a restoration business isn’t just about cleaning up after disasters. It’s about being ready to respond every single day of the year, at any hour. Whether it’s a flooded basement in Evanston at midnight or fire damage in Highland Park on a holiday weekend, the responsibility never stops.
For a small-business owner, this means:
- Coordinating highly trained crews around the clock.
- Staying current with IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer certifications.
- Working directly with insurance carriers and adjusters.
- Balancing the business side (staffing, payroll, compliance) with the urgent, emotional side (helping families after devastating losses).
It’s challenging — but also rewarding.
Why Local Ownership Matters in Chicago Restoration
In Chicagoland, there’s no shortage of restoration companies. But here’s what sets a locally owned, small business apart:
- Faster Response Times – We live here. When a storm hits Lake Forest or Skokie, we’re already on the road.
- Personal Accountability – As owners, our names and reputations are tied to every job. You’re not just a number in a corporate system.
- Community Investment – Our team lives in Chicago and the North Shore. We support local businesses, hire local workers, and rebuild our neighbors’ homes.
This connection builds trust. Homeowners know we’re in it for the long haul, not just quick contracts.
The Weight of Certification & Standards
Many people don’t realize how technical restoration is. Owning a restoration company means constant investment in:
- Training & Certification – We hold the highest industry designations, including IICRC Master Fire, Water, and Textile Restorer.
- Compliance – From OSHA rules to EPA regulations, every job must meet safety standards.
- Quality Control – Corporate competitors may cut corners, but small-business owners can’t afford to. Every misstep reflects directly on us.
When you hire a certified, owner-operated restoration company, you’re choosing accountability, compliance, and proven expertise.
Balancing Customers, Carriers, and Crews
One of the hardest parts of ownership is managing three very different audiences:
- Homeowners — often in shock, overwhelmed, and in need of reassurance.
- Insurance Adjusters — focused on documentation, costs, and timelines.
- Restoration Teams — working long hours in tough conditions.
Owning the business means standing at the center of all three, ensuring everyone gets what they need: empathy, accuracy, and leadership.
Why This Benefits You, the Homeowner
So why should a homeowner care about what goes into owning a restoration company?
Because the quality of your restoration depends on the stability of the company you hire.
- A certified, award-winning small business is less likely to cut corners.
- Local owners are accountable to their neighbors, not distant shareholders.
- Experienced business owners know how to navigate insurance claims and protect your financial interests.
When you hire ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, you’re getting not just a crew — but a business with 40+ years of proven leadership, stability, and community trust.
Our Legacy and Awards
Owning a restoration company also means earning the trust of peers and industry leaders. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has been recognized with:
- Inc. 5000 Honoree 2025
- 2024 Chicago Star Award
- SB100 Best of Small Business Award 2021
- 2020 BBB Torch Award
- Stevie® Award
These awards prove that our business is as strong behind the scenes as it is on the front lines.
Final Thoughts: Small Business, Big Responsibility
Owning a small-business restoration company is not easy — it requires sacrifice, expertise, and round-the-clock dedication. But it also means every project is personal.
For you, the homeowner, that translates into:
- Faster, more responsive service.
- A team invested in your community.
- Leadership that stands behind every job.
That’s what you get with ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons — Chicago’s trusted, locally owned disaster restoration company.
Sam Simon
Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.
He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.
Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.
In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.
Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile
Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.
Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:
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Flooded basement? Burst pipe? Don’t wait—water damage spreads fast. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides 24/7 emergency water damage cleanup for Chicagoland and North Shore homes. With 40+ years of local expertise and IICRC-certified crews, we’ll protect your property and start the restoration immediately.
(773) 376-1110
(773) 376-1110
