Common questions about TIK and restoration.

We serve Clark County WA (Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, Brush Prairie, Woodland) and the Portland metro area in Oregon (Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Happy Valley, Wilsonville). See our service area page for details on response times by city.

Yes. TIK is licensed in Washington (#TIKCOCI815RW) and Oregon (#229356). We carry full liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Certificates of insurance are available on request — adjusters and property managers ask, we send.

The IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) is the industry-standard certifying body for restoration work. IICRC-certified technicians have demonstrated proficiency in specific restoration disciplines and follow established standards (S500 for water damage, S520 for mold, S540 for trauma and biohazard). Hiring an IICRC-certified company means hiring a company that meets industry-recognized professional standards.

Within 60 minutes of your call to most addresses in our service area, day or night. For closer locations (Vancouver, Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek), response is typically faster. For more distant Portland metro locations, response can be 75–90 minutes during heavy traffic.

Yes. A real person answers our phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We dispatch crews around the clock, including holidays, weekends, and overnight. No answering service. No callback queue.

Depends on the situation. For water damage, shut off the water main if you can do so safely. For fire damage, evacuate and don't re-enter until cleared by the fire department. For sewage backup, leave the affected area and don't touch contaminated water. The dispatcher will give you specific guidance when you call.

It depends on your policy and the cause of damage. Sudden and accidental water damage (burst pipes, appliance leaks), fire damage, wind damage, and many other restoration scenarios are typically covered by standard homeowner policies. Long-term gradual damage, flood damage (groundwater), and earthquake damage are typically NOT covered without specific endorsements. Your insurance carrier is the authoritative source for what your specific policy covers.

Yes. We work with all major insurance carriers including State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Travelers, American Family, Nationwide, Chubb, Progressive, and many regional carriers.

Direct billing means your insurance carrier pays us directly for the approved restoration work, minus your deductible. You pay only your deductible (typically $1,000–$2,500 for standard policies). This eliminates the need for you to pay us upfront and wait for insurance reimbursement. Most major carriers accept direct billing.

This depends on your policy and claim history with your specific carrier. We're restoration professionals, not insurance experts — your insurance agent is the right person to answer this question for your specific situation.

Total timeline varies by scope. Water damage typically takes 1–4 weeks total (3–7 days drying, 1–3 weeks reconstruction). Fire damage typically takes 4–8 weeks. Mold remediation typically takes 5–14 days. Larger or more complex jobs can take longer. We give you an honest timeline estimate after the initial site assessment.

Depends on the scope. Most water damage and mold remediation jobs allow you to stay in unaffected areas of the home. Larger jobs (major fire damage, extensive flooding, full kitchen rebuilds) may require temporary lodging — your insurance typically covers this. We'll let you know what to expect after the initial assessment.

TIK handles the entire restoration process under one roof — mitigation, drying, demolition, AND reconstruction. You don't need a separate general contractor for the rebuild. One company, one timeline, one billing relationship with insurance.

For most jobs, belongings stay in place and we work around them. For larger jobs, we coordinate contents pack-out — items are removed, cleaned or restored if needed, stored off-site, and returned when the work is complete. Your insurance typically covers contents restoration as part of the claim.

Mitigation is the immediate work to stop damage from spreading — extracting water, containing fire damage, isolating mold. Restoration is the complete process including the rebuild — drywall, paint, flooring, finishes. Most restoration companies do mitigation and stop; TIK does both.

Yes. We handle restoration for offices, apartment buildings, retail spaces, and other commercial properties. Commercial work has different timing, documentation, and coordination requirements; we have experience with all of it.

We handle Category 3 water (sewage), biohazard cleanup, and specific restoration scenarios that require specialized protocols. We're IICRC certified for trauma and biohazard work (S540 standard). Call us for specifics on your situation.

Costs vary widely based on scope. For insurance-covered work, your out-of-pocket is typically your deductible (often $1,000–$2,500). Insurance pays the rest. For non-insurance work, costs depend on the specific job. We provide free assessments and honest scope estimates during the first visit.

Yes. Initial assessment and scope estimate are free. We come on-site, evaluate the damage, document what we find, and give you an honest scope of work.

For insurance work, we typically accept direct billing with the insurance carrier — you pay only your deductible. For private-pay work, we accept checks, credit cards, and bank transfers. Payment terms depend on the scope.