
The Story of ServiceMaster Restoration by SIMONS

Sam Simon
June 12, 2013When you meet Sam Simons, a few things are immediately obvious. 1. Sam is tall. 2. Sam has a passion for life and a passion for helping people. 3. Sam knows what he is talking about.
Sam Simons is the owner of ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons (SM RBS) which serves the Chicago area and the surrounding suburbs. His company specializes in disaster restoration services for commercial and residential clients who have been affected by fire damage, water damage, smoke damage, flood damage, storm damage or need mold removal services. “We handle everything from the time we get the call until the job is completely finished.”
SM RBS puts a high value on efficiency when it comes to their clients. “We cover all of the logistical planning of a project then we create a time line to work by and keep our clients updated on our progress. Meeting deadlines is non-negotiable for us. We want people to get their lives back together as soon as possible.”
As for the scope and size of the jobs that SM RBS will tackle, Sam says, “Chicago is dense with beautiful architecture, high-rise buildings, and commercial properties. We will fully restore the smallest houses or apartments, high rises from the top floor to the basement, or the hugest of manufacturing facilities. We do it all.” He adds, “We are particularly geared for large-loss claims,” which he goes on to describe as massive manufacturing facilities and high rise building spaces.
Sam hasn't always been in the disaster restoration business. “After college, I found myself behind the camera in the broadcast journalism industry. I loved it, but I wanted something more.” Several years ago, Sam became a partner in another ServiceMaster franchise and learned the trade inside and out. “I am still fascinated by how it all works. From advanced structural drying, to the elimination of malodors—there's a science to it all.”
Sam began to see that there were certain processes and techniques that could be refined for greater efficiency. He thought, “Can we get the same clean, dry results while making the processes less invasive and destructive,” and he figured out ways to do just that. Eventually, Sam decided it was time to branch out on his own.
“It's about efficiency. You don't need to tear stuff up on every job to get it all clean and dry. We do our projects the least invasive way possible and still get the same results in less time.”
If you live in the Chicago area and have recently experienced water damage, fire damage, smoke damage, storm damage or have a mold problem,
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ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons. They'll respond quickly and handle the disaster restoration process from start to satisfaction.
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 under the name Sam Zabadneh, 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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