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Hi everyone! Jarrett Dixon here, owner of Master Restoration. When a pipe bursts in your kitchen or a storm rips a hole in your roof, the first call most people make is to their insurance company. While that is a necessary step, it often leads to one of the most common points of confusion in our industry. Homeowners frequently ask me, “Can I choose my own restoration company—or does the insurance company decide?”
There is a common misconception that you are required to use the “preferred vendor” or the “network contractor” that your insurance adjuster suggests. I want to clear that up right now: The choice of who works on your home is 100% yours. While insurance companies have lists of companies they regularly work with, you are not legally obligated to hire them. In the state of Florida, you have the right to hire any licensed and insured restoration professional you trust to handle your property. Think about it like an auto accident; the insurance company might suggest a specific body shop, but you have the right to take your car to the mechanic you’ve trusted for years. Your home—your biggest investment—is no different.
Why does this matter? Well, sometimes a “preferred vendor” has a primary relationship with the insurance company, not necessarily with you. Their goal is often to keep costs down for the insurer. When you choose an independent, local company like Master Restoration, our primary loyalty is to you, the homeowner. Our job is to advocate for the health of your property and ensure that every bit of damage is identified and restored to the highest professional standard, not just the “minimum required” standard.
Choosing your own company also allows you to vet the expertise of the people entering your home. You can ensure they are IICRC-certified, check their local reputation right here in Central Florida, and confirm they use the latest technology, like thermal imaging and moisture mapping, to find hidden damage. You want a team that will be transparent with you throughout the entire process, explaining exactly what needs to happen to make your home safe again.
Another important point to consider is the “one-stop-shop” benefit. Many network contractors might only handle the cleanup, leaving you to find your own carpenter, painter, or flooring specialist for the rebuild. When you choose a full-service restoration partner, we manage the entire project from the initial water extraction and mold remediation to the final reconstruction. This creates a much smoother process for your insurance claim because there is a single point of contact and a unified set of documentation for the entire loss.
We work with all insurance carriers every single day. We use the same estimating software they do, and we know exactly what documentation they need—like moisture logs, infrared photos, and detailed inventories—to process your claim efficiently. You don’t lose anything by choosing your own contractor; in fact, you gain an advocate who ensures the job is done right.
At the end of the day, it is your home and your family’s safety on the line. You should never feel pressured to use a company you haven’t vetted yourself. Take a deep breath, do your research, and choose the team that you feel most comfortable with. You have the right to decide who restores your peace of mind.
Until next time, this is Jarrett Dixon reminding you: Got a disaster? Call the Master!