SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids

"Louis and the Servpro team were fantastic. Our catastrophic water damage created a mess and losses. We were able to focus on operating the business and continue functioning while Servpro managed the clean-up. Folks were polite, helpful, friendly, and willing to work with our schedule. Servpro will be our first call!"

"Read and Learn, and Pass it On. On the evening of March 29 2021 our fathers home sustained damage due to an electrical fire. He escaped uninjured but was forced to relocate. This Cedar Rapids home is a pillar on First Avenue’s Northwest side and has been in our family since our grandmother purchased it in 1951. March 30 2021 was the day that our father signed the contract with ROBARB LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids IA to complete the restoration of our family home. The owner and project manager met with our father and assured him that they could take care of all cleaning, restoration, and storage of his personal property and that the timeline for completion would be 6-9 months. It was reassuring that a local company would be overseeing the entire process of restoration, reconstruction, storage, as well as cleaning. Unfortunately, this journey consumed almost three years of our lives. Our father passed away on Oct 1 2021 and was never able to return to his home. We were continually given multiple completion dates by both the project manager and the owner of the company beginning in July 2022.The delays required our family to obtain two claim extensions from our insurance company. The exorbitant bill has been paid but this is a forewarning to anyone who may ever need assistance after a disaster when decision making is driven by emotions, distress and uncertainty. Read the contract before signing. If you don't understand it, get an attorney to review it. Create a service agreement addendum that outlines dates for completion and monetary penalties for failure to meet those deadlines. If they refuse to sign it take your business elsewhere. Demand the names and contact info for all subcontractors and the credentials of your project manager. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Our project manager was rarely on site. On May 8 2023 he admitted to his failures in a meeting that was prompted by our family and several Cedar Rapids Building Inspectors.  He assured us that he would make it right. This did not happen. There were blatant lies regarding project completion, multiple subcontractors came and went, there were incompetent subcontractors and we were forced to hire our own subcontrator to finish paint and drywall work due to lack of SERVPRO subcontractor availability. There were lost heirlooms, multiple water leaks, disposal of original wood trim, it took over two and a half years to install a functioning side entrance door, no customer interaction by the general manager until payment was demanded and a very uninvolved owner. Cost increases rose dramatically from the original insurance repair estimate. The final invoice was 18 percent more than the actual assessed value of the home. SERVPRO may tout themselves as trusted leaders in the restoration industry with promises to return your property to like it never even happened condition but be prepared for a journey that will leave you questioning the capabilities of this business as well as their ethics. ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO Cedar Rapids' website states that they "understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business." That was not the case for us. The stress and disruption was nothing short of monumental for our family. We are steadfast in honoring our father’s legacy. He was a lifelong Cedar Rapidian and proud WWII Veteran who entrusted and believed that SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids had the utmost concern for our situation and would complete the repairs of his home in a timely manner. He came from a generation that entrusted people to follow through with what they said they would do. If he were alive today, he would be demoralized by what has transpired over the past three years. Through it all this 115-year-old stately home remains in our family and for that we are grateful. Attached photos were taken 2 or more years after the fire. Greg & Amy Hanson Stewart On behalf of our father, A.B. Hanson #consumerprotection #firerestoration #servpro #cedarrapids #disasterrecovery"

"Before hiring, please read! On March 29, 2021, my father’s home sustained excessive damage due to an electrical fire, On March 31, 2021, he signed a contract with ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids. He was relieved to know they could take care of all aspects of the restoration process including cleaning, reconstruction, and storage of his contents while he temporarily relocated. ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids told my father that the entire process would take 6-9 months. It took ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids almost THREE YEARS! My father passed October 1, 2021, and never got to return to his home. We received multiple excuses and multiple completion dates when questioned about the progress and completion. ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids hired subcontractors to do the work. The communication between the subcontractors and the project manager was extremely poor, there were issues with keeping consistent subcontractors, poor workmanship, and a problem with no one working for extended periods. During the packing and storing of my father’s possessions, antiques and family heirlooms were damaged or missing. When submitted with the final invoice, there was a 56% increase in costs from the initial dwelling claim estimate. The final invoice was 18% higher than the actual assessed value of the home! I feel a responsibility to warn the public of our experience, I would never want another family to go through what we endured. The following are suggestions and considerations to consumers if you are contemplating hiring ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids: 1. Take the time to read the ROBARB, LLC dba SERVOPRO contract thoroughly. If you do not understand it, have an attorney review it for you. It will be money well spent. 2. Create a service agreement addendum that outlines dates for completion and monetary penalties for failure to meet those deadlines. 3. Request names, addresses and phone numbers of all subcontractors. 4. Demand the construction/remodel restoration credentials for all ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids employees assigned to your project. Ask for references! 5. If your insurance company insists that you use ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids, remind them that YOU are the customer. 6. In our experience, the spoken and written words of our project manager as well as the owner of ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids proved to be consistently unreliable. 7. A formal complaint was filed with SERVPRO’S corporate headquarters in Gallatin, TN, only to be deferred back to the local franchisee, ROBARB, LLC dba SERVPRO of Cedar Rapids. Be aware that SERVPRO INDUSTRIES, INC prioritizes supporting their local franchises rather than their paying customer. Take your business elsewhere! (Photos of home were taken two years after project started) Jane Hanson Lasko"

"I had a great experience with Servpro! I first contacted them on Nov. 28 regarding what looked like mold on a garage wall and a basement wall. By Dec. 20 the entire issue was resolved. This included the initial inspection/estimate, basement wall cleaning, roof repair, removal and replacement of a section of drywall, and painting that section. Jim communicated with me through every step so I was well-informed of the progress. He contacted the roofers and the drywall person and took care of all of the scheduling. The entire team was thorough and professional. I'm really happy with the quality and timeliness of the work they did!"

"Will not recommend this company ever to anyone. Have used them for my business a number of times, but never realized how bad of a job was done until I had them do the carpets in the house I just bought. A few days after they finished, I vacuumed with a vacuum that uses water. I was appalled at the amount of dirt & dog hair that got vacuumed up into the water. I called & emailed them to make this right and they have not responded. I am posting the pictures I sent them. Do not waste your money. Find a company that does what they're getting paid to do & cares about their reputation & customer satisfaction. I paid almost $300 for nothing."