FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes, Abbotts holds general contractor licenses in all communities throughout Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs. We are also fully insured, hold BBB A+ Accreditation and are Certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration. Abbotts is a full service disaster restoration company. One call does it all.

Abbotts operates out of Denver, serves the greater Denver / Boulder area as well as Colorado Springs.

Our expertise is at your service. Abbotts cuts through noise and confusion with free inspections and no-cost no-obligation consultations.

How much your restoration costs really depends upon the type and the extent of damage. Abbotts uses Xactimate® which independently establishes pricing guidelines. Xactimate® pricing is recognized and accepted as an industry standard by many of the largest insurers and a majority of all insurers. Every item performed on your restoration project is listed in detail and agreed upon by you as well as your adjuster so that there are no surprises. Deviations from the established pricing are documented for review and approval.

We will coordinate with and bill your insurance company directly. Typically, the insurance company will pay us directly the full cost of mitigation (e.g. water extraction, drying, dehumidification) since we use the same estimating software and follow industry guidelines. The deductible amount is applied to the reconstruction funds. We will bill you the amount of the deductible once the insurance company cuts you a check for the reconstruction funds, about two weeks after the claim is filed.

Yes, we can bill your insurance company directly. We have working relationships with major insurance carriers and work with them to coordinate your coverage and our services as well as invoicing and payment. We will let you know what services, if any, are recommended but not covered by your insurance. In most cases, you will only be billed for your deductible.

We do take major credit cards and can work with you on the services. We also offer financing through EnerBank. Also, ask us about our Relief Discount for uninsured damage.

As your disaster recovery contractor, Abbotts will work with your insurance company’s claim adjuster to get necessary repair costs approved. Your mortgage company may also get involved to ensure that your property is returned to pre-damage condition. If that is the case, we will provide your mortgage company with all necessary documentation to process your payment and meet their inspection requirements.

Water damage is usually covered if it is “accidental and sudden”. The insurance may not cover the source of the water (e.g. pipe break or dishwasher leak) but will usually cover ensuing damage and repairs to make the home whole again. Check out this video for more details.

Time is of utmost importance. Act fast to minimize the damage to your property and prevent associated problems, such as mold infestation. We’ve compiled a Water Damage Emergency Action Guide for steps you can take while you are waiting for our team to arrive.

Vacate sewage-contaminated areas right away! Areas with sewage spills should not be occupied by people who are not wearing personal protective equipment as they are dangerous. Turn off electrical power in the area if there is any chance of electrical wires, extension cords or appliances coming into contact with standing water or wet materials. Protect uncontaminated contents from contamination.

The term mitigate or mitigation is a common term in the property damage restoration industry. It is defined as “to make less severe or painful”. Most insurance companies require you to mitigate the damage. For example, water extraction and drying systems are often considered mitigation techniques for water damage. Boardup & securing are mitigation techniques to prevent theft after fire damage.

Absolutely, mold is very dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control and other health agencies warn mold spores can cause serious health risks for people with breathing problems. And certain types of mold, including black mold (stachybotrys chartarum) can cause serious health problems, even in healthy people.

DO NOT attempt to clean or mitigate areas affected by mold. You can unknowingly spread mold spores to other parts of the structure, worsening the infestation. One of our trained mold remediation specialists can conduct a visual inspection and other tests to assess the problem. When the extent of the infestation is assessed, your mold remediation specialist will recommend a plan to remove the mold and prevent its return.

Safety first. Fire can damage underlying structures making the building unsafe. Abbotts Fire and Flood will perform structural stabilization, board-up and securing services to ensure you, your family and your possessions are safe. While you are waiting for Abbotts to arrive, check out this list of Fire Damage Do’s and Don’ts.

Smoke flows through plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor. Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure. Even a small fire can cause serious smoke damage to your property. Smoke molecules can remain in the pores of materials and continue to release smoke odor and contaminants for years. These odors can easily spread onto clothes, furniture, carpets, and to other parts of the house, especially on a warm day when the high temperatures reopen smoke-filled pores.

The type of smoke will greatly impact the restoration process. Proper deodorizing can spell the difference between big savings and spending thousands of dollars cleaning everything again. Abbotts fire restoration professionals have detailed construction knowledge as well as expertise in smoke removal, odor eradication, soot and ash elimination, stain removal, toxicity removal and restoring balance to the environment.

Abbotts stands behind their work by providing a lifetime warranty against smoke smell and odor recurrence in addition to our standard one-year restoration warranty.

You are right to be concerned about lead-based paint. The Centers for Disease Control and Environmental Protection Agency warn that lead exposure can cause serious health problems, including birth defects, digestive and nervous system disorders and cardiovascular problems. Children are especially vulnerable to health risks from lead exposure, including brain damage and growth problems. The deterioration of lead paint results in minute lead particles that can be inhaled or ingested. Demolition, sanding and renovation of buildings containing lead paint can also create these hazards. Structures built prior to 1978 were often painted with lead-based paints. Abbotts technicians are trained and experienced in testing for and eliminating health risks from lead-based paints.

The type of smoke will greatly impact the restoration process. Proper deodorizing can spell the difference between big savings and spending thousands of dollars cleaning everything again. Abbotts fire restoration professionals have detailed construction knowledge as well as expertise in smoke removal, odor eradication, soot and ash elimination, stain removal, toxicity removal and restoring balance to the environment.

Abbotts stands behind their work by providing a lifetime warranty against smoke smell and odor recurrence in addition to our standard one-year restoration warranty.

Asbestos is a durable, fire-retardant fiber that was used extensively in a wide variety of construction materials up until the early 1980s. Extensive research found it to be a highly hazardous cause of lung cancer and other grave illnesses. These materials are not dangerous if they are in good condition and undisturbed. They only become dangerous if the material is disturbed or damaged so that asbestos fibers are released in the air where they can be inhaled. Improper removal may increase the health risks to you and your family. Abbotts highly-trained and certified personnel employs a variety of protocols to control fiber release from asbestos including removal, encapsulation, repair, enclosure, and encasement. Learn more about Abbotts Asbestos Abatement.