ServiceMaster Simons vs Other Restorers: Who Really Delivers?

Sam Simon

July 23, 2025

When disaster strikes, don’t settle for just any restoration company. Backed by 80+ years of national expertise and over four decades of trusted local service, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons stands above the rest in Lake, Cook, and DuPage Counties. Discover what sets us apart—from IICRC and RIA certifications to full-spectrum services like water, fire, and mold remediation. Learn why families and businesses across Chicagoland choose us over the competition.

Why ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Stands Above the Rest in Lake, Cook & DuPage Counties

When disaster strikes your home or business, choosing the right restoration company can make all the difference. Dozens of restoration providers claim to offer fast, reliable service—but not all deliver the same level of expertise, care, or accountability.

That’s where ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons sets itself apart.

Backed by the national legacy of ServiceMaster Restore®—founded in Chicago in 1929 and serving America for over 80 years—and led by local, award-winning experts, our franchise provides unmatched restoration services to homeowners and businesses throughout Lake County, Cook County, and DuPage County.

What Makes ServiceMaster Restore Better Than the Rest?

Legacy & Expertise: With roots in Chicago and over 80 years of national service, ServiceMaster Restore is the oldest restoration company in the United States.

Certified Technicians: We are proud to be an IICRC Certified Firm—our technicians are trained under the industry's highest standards for water, fire, mold, and biohazard remediation.

Advanced Technology: We use HEPA air scrubbers, thermal imaging, moisture mapping, and high-velocity drying systems to identify and repair damage accurately and efficiently.

Insurance Integration: As a preferred vendor for most major carriers, we streamline your insurance claims to reduce delays and stress. (Forbes Source)

Nationally Recognized Quality: ServiceMaster Restore operates over 850 franchises across the country and was ranked among the Top 250 on the 2024 Franchise 500® list by Entrepreneur.

Why Choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons?

Among all franchises, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a nationally recognized and woman-owned, family-operated firm headquartered in Chicago, with over 40 years of combined local service.

We proudly serve:

Lake County: Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Highland Park, Highwood, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Waukegan, Grayslake

Cook County: Chicago (West Town, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Austin, Bronzeville, Lakeview, Wicker Park), Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Northfield, Wilmette, Glencoe, Winnetka, Kenilworth

DuPage County: Oak Park, River Forest, Hinsdale, Elmhurst, Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Lombard, Oak Brook

Full Spectrum of Certified Restoration Services:

We provide emergency and specialty services for both residential and commercial clients:

Certified. Trusted. Award-Winning.

IICRC Certified Firm
RIA Member (Restoration Industry Association)
Master Fire & Water Restorer
BBB Torch Award Recipient
Stevie® Award Winner for Business Excellence
ServiceMaster QRV Certified
Top 250 Franchise – Entrepreneur Franchise 500®

Transparent, Professional, and Always Available

We never lure customers with “free estimates” or deceptive low pricing. Instead, we provide detailed, honest assessments backed by decades of certified experience.

Our phone lines are answered 24/7 by real people—not bots—and we typically respond to emergencies within hours.

Featured Expert Resource

Want to learn how to protect your home year-round?

Explore our founder’s book RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, written by IICRC Master Restorer Sam Simon.

Contact Us Today

When you need trusted restoration in Lake, Cook, or DuPage Counties, call the experts who deliver.

Chicago & Cook County: (773) 376-1110
North Shore & Lake County: (847) 316-9145
DuPage County: (708) 524-0304
Website: https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What certifications does ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons hold?
A: We are a certified IICRC firm and members of the Restoration Industry Association, holding top-tier credentials for fire, water, and mold restoration.

Q: Do you offer free estimates?
A: No. We believe in professional value and accuracy. All assessments are conducted by trained experts.

Q: What towns do you service in the North Shore?
A: We serve Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Glenview, Northfield, Skokie, and more.

Q: How quickly can you respond to an emergency?
A: We are available 24/7 and typically arrive within 2 to 4 hours.

Q: What makes you different from other restoration companies?
A: Unlike national chains with revolving teams, we are family-run, deeply rooted in Chicagoland, and operate with unmatched transparency, certification, and integrity.

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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