Section 07 · Common questions
Landlord questions, answered.
Coverage, relocation, habitability, timelines, and the tax paperwork — the questions owners ask before they call.
Will my landlord insurance cover this?
Depends on the policy and the damage type. Most landlord policies cover sudden water damage (burst pipe, appliance failure) but exclude gradual leaks the landlord should have noticed. Mold coverage varies — many policies have mold sub-limits between $5,000 and $25,000. Fire damage is almost always covered. We document to the standard insurers require so the claim moves cleanly, but we don’t promise coverage — that’s between you and your carrier.
What if my tenant needs to be temporarily relocated?
For major events (multi-room water damage, smoke damage, sewage in living areas), tenants often need to relocate during the work. California law and local rent ordinances may require you to cover relocation costs depending on the circumstances. Many landlord policies include loss-of-use coverage that handles this. We document the unhabitability for your insurance claim if relocation is needed.
What about habitability complaints from the tenant?
Fast, properly-documented restoration is your best protection against habitability complaints. Tenants who file complaints typically point to delayed response, incomplete remediation, or undocumented mold. We respond fast, complete to IICRC standards, and document everything to third-party clearance — which removes the typical complaint paths.
Do you handle mold testing?
No. We perform remediation only. Independent third-party hygienists handle testing and clearance. This is intentional — a remediation company that tests its own work has a conflict of interest, and third-party documentation protects you if the tenant ever files a habitability complaint or a future buyer’s inspection raises questions.
Will you talk to my tenant directly?
Only with your authorization. By default we coordinate access through you. If you want us to communicate directly with the tenant about scheduling, scope, or progress, we’ll do that with your written go-ahead and copy you on everything.
What’s the typical timeline for a water damage job?
Standard residential water damage: 3-5 days for extraction, drying, and verified moisture clearance. Add 5-10 days for reconstruction if drywall or flooring needs replacement. Larger jobs scale up. We give you an honest timeline at the assessment.
What if I find more damage than expected mid-job?
We stop work, document what we found, give you an updated written scope and price, and wait for your authorization before continuing. We don’t surprise-invoice. The handling matters — and we handle it cleanly.
Are you licensed to handle older buildings with asbestos or lead concerns?
We’re HAZ certified for hazardous material handling. For confirmed asbestos or lead in pre-1980 buildings, we coordinate with appropriate testing and abatement contractors and integrate into a unified scope. Common in older LA County housing.
Can you provide documentation for taxes (depreciation, repairs vs improvements)?
Yes. Our invoices break down by scope type — emergency mitigation, mold remediation, reconstruction — in a format your tax preparer can categorize correctly. Many restoration expenses are immediately deductible repairs, while reconstruction may be a capital improvement subject to depreciation. Your tax preparer makes the final call, but our documentation supports the categorization.