How to Choose a Restoration Contractor: Don’t Just Accept Your Insurer’s Recommendation

Your Insurance Company Has an Incentive to Minimize Claims

When disaster strikes your Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, or Livingston County home, your insurance company will often recommend a contractor. Here’s the thing: insurers benefit when they pay less. That recommendation may be more about keeping costs down than ensuring quality restoration.

You have the right to choose your own contractor. Period.

What to Look for in a Restoration Contractor

Licensing and bonding matter. In Michigan, verify your contractor holds a valid GC license through LARA. Check BBB accreditation and reviews. A licensed GC with an A+ rating is a baseline, not a bonus.

Local experience beats national chains. SE Michigan contractors understand our weather patterns, building codes, and insurance landscape. They know what adjusters expect and how to document claims properly.

Ask about adjuster relationships. Does the contractor work directly with adjusters? Can they handle the claims process with you? A good contractor walks you through supplemental claims and fights low initial offers.

Red Flags to Watch

• Pressures you to sign immediately
• Can’t provide local references
• Won’t give a written itemized estimate
• Offers to waive your deductible—illegal in Michigan
• Hostile to the adjuster or claims process

Choosing your own contractor isn’t difficult—it’s about protecting your investment. Phase III Construction is a licensed, BBB A+-rated GC serving Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties. We work directly with adjusters and fight for fair settlements. Call us at (734) 237-7322 for a free inspection.