Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the Instant Restoration website (instant-restoration.com) and the restoration services we provide. By using our website or engaging our services, you agree to these Terms.

If you do not agree, please do not use our website or engage our services.

About Our Company

Instant Restoration is a licensed California general building contractor specializing in property damage restoration. Our services include:

• Water damage restoration
• Mold remediation
• Fire and smoke damage restoration
• Flood cleanup
• Sewage cleanup and sanitization
• Reconstruction and build-back

CSLB License #1078518 — California Contractors State License Board, B-General Building with Hazardous Substance Removal (HAZ) certification.

We are insured (general liability + workers’ compensation), bonded, and IICRC certified. We serve Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties.

CSLB Required Consumer Notice

“Contractors are required by law to be licensed and regulated by the Contractors State License Board, which has jurisdiction to investigate complaints against contractors if a complaint is filed within four years of the date of the alleged violation. Any questions concerning a contractor may be referred to the Registrar of the Contractors State License Board: P.O. Box 26000, Sacramento, CA 95826. Phone: 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). Web: www.cslb.ca.gov.”

You may verify our license at any time at www.cslb.ca.gov using license number 1078518.

Services

All services are performed in accordance with IICRC standards (S500 for water & sewage, S520 for mold remediation, S700 for fire & smoke), California building codes, and manufacturer specifications for materials used.

Service Agreements and Scope of Work

Before any work begins, you and Instant Restoration will sign a written Scope of Work (“SOW”) that specifies:

• The work to be performed
• Materials to be used
• Timeline
• Pricing
• Payment schedule

Any changes after the SOW is signed must be documented in writing as a Change Order, signed by both parties, before work proceeds.

If we discover additional work necessary during the project (for example, hidden water damage behind walls), we will stop work, document the finding, present a Change Order for your approval, and resume only after authorization.

Three-Day Right to Cancel

For service contracts entered into at your home (not at our office), you have the right to cancel within three (3) business days from the date you signed the contract. To cancel, deliver written notice to:

This three-day cancellation right does not apply to emergency services you specifically requested (water extraction, sewage cleanup, immediate fire damage stabilization) when delay would cause additional damage to your property.

Payment Terms

• Payment methods accepted: Check, wire transfer, or electronic funds transfer (ACH). We do not accept credit card payments.
• Insurance claims: We work directly with most insurance carriers when authorized.
• Owner responsibility: You are ultimately responsible for payment of any amounts not covered by insurance (deductibles, denied claim portions, items outside policy coverage, depreciation withholdings).
• Late fees: Detailed in your individual SOW.
• Down payment: Per California law, residential home improvement contractor down payments cannot exceed 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. We comply with this limit.

Insurance Claims

When you authorize us to assist with your insurance claim, we may:

• Document damage with photos, video, and moisture readings
• Communicate with your adjuster on your behalf
• Submit scope of work, invoices, and supporting documentation
• Negotiate scope and pricing with your insurer

We do not guarantee approval or coverage by your insurer. Coverage decisions are between you and your insurance company. You remain ultimately responsible for payment regardless of insurance outcome.

Assignment of Benefits

If your insurance policy allows it and you choose to do so, you may execute a separate Assignment of Benefits (“AOB”) authorizing direct payment from your insurer to Instant Restoration for covered work. AOB is optional, requires its own signed agreement, and is subject to California law.

Property Access

You authorize Instant Restoration personnel and subcontractors to access your property during normal business hours (and 24/7 for emergency services) for the duration of the work. You agree to:

• Provide reasonable access to affected areas
• Secure or remove valuables, sensitive documents, and irreplaceable items from work areas before work begins
• Disclose any known hazards (asbestos, lead paint, electrical issues, structural concerns) before work begins
• Inform us of any pets, children, or other occupants who require accommodation

We take reasonable precautions to protect undamaged areas and personal property but are not responsible for damage caused by your failure to disclose hazards or secure valuables.

Warranties and Guarantees

We warranty our workmanship per your individual SOW (typically one year on labor) and pass through manufacturer warranties on materials installed.

Warranties are void if:

• The underlying cause of damage is not addressed (ongoing leaks, unfixed plumbing, etc.)
• The owner or third party modifies, repairs, or alters the completed work
• The owner fails to maintain the work as instructed
• Damage occurs from causes unrelated to our work (new water events, fires, acts of God)

Mold-Specific Disclaimers

Mold remediation carries unique limitations you must understand and accept:

• We do not guarantee complete elimination of mold spores. Mold spores are present in all indoor and outdoor environments at varying levels. Remediation aims to return your property to normal background levels, not to a sterile state.
• Post-Remediation Verification (PRV) by an independent third-party indoor air quality professional is recommended after mold remediation and is the owner’s responsibility unless specified in the SOW.
• Mold can recur if the moisture source is not eliminated. Owner is responsible for identifying and fixing moisture sources (plumbing leaks, roof leaks, condensation, drainage issues) — we will inform you of suspected sources but do not warranty mold-free conditions if moisture persists.
• We make no medical or health claims. Mold exposure affects different people differently. If you have health concerns related to mold, consult a qualified medical professional. We are not medical experts and our services are not medical treatment.
• Hidden mold may exist. Mold can grow inside walls, under floors, and in other areas not visible without invasive inspection. Our standard remediation addresses visible and accessible affected areas as specified in the SOW.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by California law, Instant Restoration’s total liability for any claim arising from our services is limited to the amount paid for the specific service that gave rise to the claim.

We are not liable for:

• Pre-existing conditions not disclosed at the time of the SOW
• Concealed damage discovered after work began that the owner refuses to address
• Third-party damage (utility issues, neighbor disputes, prior contractor errors)
• The owner’s failure to follow our written recommendations
• Consequential, incidental, or indirect damages (loss of use, loss of business, emotional distress)
• Acts of force majeure (see Section 14)

We carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance as required by California law.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Instant Restoration, its officers, employees, subcontractors, and agents from any third-party claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

• Your concealment or non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions, hazards, or property defects
• Your modifications or repairs to our completed work without our involvement
• Your failure to fix the underlying cause of damage (ongoing leaks, etc.)
• Your negligent or intentional acts on the property during or after our work

This indemnification does not apply to claims arising from Instant Restoration’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Force Majeure

We are not responsible for delays or failure to perform caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including:

• Acts of God (earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, severe weather)
• Pandemics or public health emergencies
• Government orders, restrictions, or shutdowns
• Utility failures (water, power, internet)
• Material shortages or supply chain disruptions
• Labor strikes or shortages
• Civil unrest or war

When force majeure events occur, we will communicate delays promptly and resume work as soon as reasonably possible. Pricing for materials may need to be adjusted to reflect market conditions at time of resumption.

Mechanic’s Lien Rights and Preliminary Notice

Under California Civil Code §8200-8216, Instant Restoration retains the right to file a mechanic’s lien against your property if invoices are not paid. We are required to provide you with a Preliminary 20-Day Notice for projects over $400, which informs you of our lien rights.

You can avoid a mechanic’s lien by paying invoices on time and obtaining lien releases from us and any subcontractors before final payment. We will provide unconditional final lien waivers upon receipt of final payment.

Emergency Services

We provide 24/7 emergency response with a target arrival time of 55 minutes or less within our service area.

Emergency service fees may apply for after-hours, weekend, or holiday dispatch. Fees are communicated upfront when possible, or as soon as practicable for immediate-dispatch emergencies. Verbal authorization for emergency mitigation is followed by signed documentation when the immediate danger is controlled.

Photo, Video, and Testimonial Use

In the course of providing services, we take before, during, and after photos and videos for:

• Insurance claim documentation
• Internal quality control and training
• Warranty records and dispute resolution

For marketing use of identifying images, we will obtain your separate written consent. See our Privacy Policy Section 6 for details.

You agree we may use anonymized photos (with addresses, license plates, identifying features blurred or omitted) for marketing without additional consent, unless you opt out in writing.

Dispute Resolution

18.1 Informal Resolution

Most disputes can be resolved by direct conversation. If you have a concern, contact us first at info@instant-restoration.com or (818) 486-6546. We respond within 2 business days and aim to resolve issues within 14 days.

18.2 Mediation

If informal resolution fails, both parties agree to attempt mediation through a mutually agreed mediator before filing a lawsuit or arbitration. Mediation costs are split equally.

18.3 Binding Arbitration

Except for small claims court actions and CSLB complaints, any dispute arising from or related to these Terms or our services shall be resolved through binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), conducted in Los Angeles County, California.

The arbitrator’s decision is final and binding. Each party bears its own legal costs unless the arbitrator awards otherwise. The arbitration shall be conducted in English.

18.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any arbitration or legal action will be brought only in your individual capacity, not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding. You waive any right to participate in a class action.

18.5 Small Claims and CSLB

Nothing in this section prevents you from:

• Filing a complaint with the California Contractors State License Board
• Bringing a claim in small claims court for amounts within small claims jurisdiction

18.6 Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by California law. Any non-arbitrable disputes will be brought in the state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California.

Website Use

19.1 Informational Purpose

Content on our website is for general informational purposes only. Blog posts, guides, and other educational content are not professional advice for your specific situation. Consult us directly for advice on your property.

19.2 Intellectual Property

All content on instant-restoration.com — including text, photos, videos, logos, graphics, and design — is owned by Instant Restoration or used with permission. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our written permission.

19.3 Anti-Scraping

You may not use automated tools (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access, copy, or extract content from our website except for legitimate search engine indexing.

19.4 Third-Party Links

Our website may link to third-party sites (Google Maps, social media, etc.). We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of third-party sites.

19.5 DMCA

If you believe content on our website infringes your copyright, send a DMCA notice to info@instant-restoration.com with the required information under 17 U.S.C. §512(c)(3).

Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by:

• Updated “Last Updated” date at the top of this page
• Email notice to active clients (if changes affect ongoing work)
• Prominent notice on our website

Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable by a court or arbitrator, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any signed Scope of Work and our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Instant Restoration regarding our services and supersede any prior agreements or representations.

Assignment

You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations to a successor entity in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all assets.

Contact

For privacy questions, see our Privacy Policy.
For cookie information, see our Cookie Policy.
For accessibility, see our Accessibility Statement.