Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about TIK and restoration.
Real answers to questions we hear most often. If yours isn't here, call us at (360) 938-4601 or send us a message.
About TIK
What's TIK's service area?
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 the full list of cities and neighborhoods we cover.
Is TIK licensed and insured?
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.
What is IICRC certification, and why does it matter?
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.
Emergency Response
How quickly can TIK respond to an emergency?
We dispatch a crew the moment you call, day or night — a real person answers and response starts immediately. Time on-site varies with traffic, weather, and where you are in the service area; the dispatcher gives you an honest picture of timing for your address when you call.
Is TIK available 24/7?
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.
What should I do while waiting for TIK to arrive?
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.
Insurance and Claims
Will my insurance cover restoration?
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.
Does TIK work with my insurance carrier?
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.
How does direct billing with insurance work?
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.
Will my premium go up if I file a claim?
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.
The Restoration Process
How long does restoration take?
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.
Do I need to leave my home during restoration?
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.
Will TIK handle reconstruction, or do I need a separate contractor?
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.
What happens to my belongings during restoration?
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.
Specific Services
What's the difference between mitigation and restoration?
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.
Do you handle commercial restoration?
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.
What about specialty cleanups — biohazard, trauma, etc.?
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.
Pricing and Billing
How much does restoration cost?
Costs vary widely based on scope. Most of our work is insurance-covered, and for those jobs the cost question mostly answers itself: the on-site assessment and scope documentation are part of the claim process, the carrier pays for the covered work, and your out-of-pocket is typically your deductible (often $1,000–$2,500). For work outside an insurance claim, cost depends on the specific job — we walk the damage with you on the first visit and give you an honest scope before any work begins.
Do you offer free estimates?
For insurance-covered losses, there's no separate estimate to buy — the assessment is part of the claim process. We come on-site, document the damage, build the scope to your carrier's standards, and bill the carrier directly; you pay your deductible and the carrier pays for covered work. If your situation isn't an insurance claim, we still start with an on-site assessment and give you an honest scope of work before anything moves forward.
What payment methods do you accept?
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.
Question not answered here?
We can't anticipate every question. If yours wasn't covered above, call us or send us a message — we'll get you a real answer.