Frequently Asked Questions

If something just happened (a leak, mold, or fire), start with BO Restoration. If you're planning an upgrade, start with BO Renovation. You can also use our help me choose tool on the home page or call our office.

Call our emergency line for anything happening right now, such as active water, fire, or smoke damage. Use the online form for planned projects or non-urgent questions.

Yes. We plan around association approvals, certificates of insurance, work hours, and coordination with neighboring units.

We're based in Boca Raton. See service areas for details.

Yes. BO Restoration handles mitigation and cleanup, and BO Renovation handles reconstruction.

Yes. We accept financing for our services, so you can spread the cost of a repair or renovation over time. Financing is subject to approval and terms vary. Ask about financing options when you request your estimate.

As soon as possible. Water continues to move into drywall, insulation, cabinets, and subfloors over time, and damp materials create conditions where mold can grow. Calling early usually limits how much material has to be removed.

It depends on the materials involved, how much water was absorbed, and how long it sat before drying started. We monitor moisture readings throughout the process and will tell you what we're seeing rather than promising a fixed number of days.

Coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the loss. We document the damage with photos and moisture readings that can support your claim, but your insurance company makes coverage decisions.

Usually not, but the equipment is noisy and some areas may be off-limits. If the water is contaminated or large parts of the home are affected, we'll talk with you about options.

Sometimes. It depends on the type of flooring, the category of water, and how long it was wet. We'll explain what can be dried in place and what needs to be removed before any work starts.

Mitigation is the emergency phase: stopping the water, extracting it, and drying the structure. Restoration is the repair phase that follows. Many projects need both. See our water mitigation page for details.

We try to match existing materials when they are still available. When an exact match isn't possible, we'll show you the closest options, and in some cases it makes sense to replace flooring across a larger area for a consistent look.

We recommend waiting until materials are confirmed dry. Closing up walls or installing new flooring over damp materials can trap moisture and lead to mold or failed finishes.

We provide detailed documentation that supports your claim. Coverage decisions are always made by your insurer.

Not always. If mold growth is clearly visible and the source is known, remediation planning can often start without sampling. Testing is most useful when the source is unclear, when there is an odor without visible growth, or when you need documentation.

Lab turnaround varies. We'll tell you what to expect when samples are collected and walk you through the results once they're available.

Mold spores are naturally present indoors and outdoors. The goal of testing is to identify elevated levels or active growth, not to prove that zero mold exists.

You'll receive an explanation of the findings and a recommendation. If remediation is needed, the moisture source must be fixed as well, or the problem is likely to come back.

No one can honestly promise that. Mold spores are present in every environment. What we can do is remove active growth, clean affected areas, and help you address the moisture problem, which is the most important factor in preventing new growth.

Painting over mold doesn't remove it, and household cleaners don't reach growth inside porous materials like drywall. Small surface spots may be cleaned, but larger or recurring growth should be evaluated professionally.

It depends on the size and location of the affected area. Containment is designed to keep the rest of the home usable, but we'll recommend temporary relocation if it's the safer option.

It depends on your policy and the cause. Mold resulting from a sudden covered water loss is treated differently than mold from long-term humidity. Check your policy, and we'll provide documentation of what we find.

Make sure everyone is safe and wait until the fire department says the property can be entered. Contact your insurance company, avoid touching soot-covered surfaces, and don't turn on HVAC systems that may spread smoke residue. Then call us for an assessment.

In many cases, odor can be significantly reduced or eliminated through cleaning, removal of affected materials, and specialized treatment. Results depend on the materials involved and the extent of the smoke exposure, and we'll be clear about what to expect.

Yes. Our reconstruction team can handle repairs from framing and drywall to cabinets, flooring, and paint.

We document damage thoroughly to support your claim. Coverage decisions are made by your insurer.

We don't recommend it. Sewage can contain bacteria and other harmful contaminants. Keep people and pets away from the area and call a professional for cleanup and disinfection.

No one can honestly guarantee that. Proper cleaning and disinfection significantly reduce contamination on treated surfaces, and we'll explain what was done and what to expect afterward.

Yes. Final cleaning of surfaces and contents is part of completing a mold remediation project. See our mold remediation page.

Yes. We work in offices, retail spaces, gyms, and shared common areas, and can schedule work around your operating hours.

A tarp is a temporary measure. How long it holds up depends on weather and installation conditions. It's meant to protect the home until permanent repairs can be made, so we recommend scheduling those as soon as possible.

Many policies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a loss, and tarping is a common example. Coverage depends on your policy, so check with your insurer. We document the damage to support your claim.

Crews can only work on a roof when it is safe to do so. During high winds or lightning, we focus on protecting the interior and tarp the roof as soon as conditions allow.

Yes. Our water mitigation team can extract water and dry ceilings, walls, and floors affected by the leak.

Costs vary widely with the size of the space, the condition of the property, and your finish selections. Rather than quoting a generic range, we provide a written estimate after seeing the property and understanding the scope.

Many renovation projects in Boca Raton require permits, especially those involving structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work.

Often yes, depending on which rooms are involved. We'll plan the sequence of work to keep essential areas usable whenever possible.

Yes. We're happy to work from existing plans and coordinate with your design professionals.

It depends on the scope and on material lead times, particularly cabinets and countertops. We provide a schedule with your estimate and keep you updated if anything changes.

Often yes. Keeping plumbing and appliance locations in place typically reduces cost and complexity while still allowing a major visual upgrade.

Yes. We can replace cabinets and countertops without a full remodel when the existing layout works for you.

Most full remodels leave the kitchen unusable for part of the project. We'll talk through options, such as a temporary setup elsewhere in the home.

Timing depends on the size of the bathroom, the scope, and material lead times. We include an expected schedule with your estimate.

In most cases, yes. We'll evaluate the plumbing, drain location, and space to recommend the best layout.

Yes. Condo projects often have association requirements for approvals, insurance, and work hours. We'll help you prepare what's needed.

Signs include loose tile, stained baseboards, or musty odors near the bathroom. Our restoration team can check for moisture with an inspection before you renovate.

It depends on the coating system and conditions. Polyaspartic systems generally return to service faster than epoxy. We'll give you specific guidance for your floor after installation.

Smooth coatings can be slippery when wet. Decorative flake and slip-resistant additives add texture, and we'll recommend the right option for each area.

Usually the existing coating needs to be removed so the new system can bond to bare concrete. We'll evaluate it during the estimate.

Properly prepared and installed systems are designed to handle vehicle traffic. Poor preparation is the most common cause of peeling, which is why we grind the concrete before coating.

Many Boca Raton communities require approval for exterior color changes. We'll follow the approved palette and can help you prepare the request.

It depends on the surface, the products used, sun exposure, and preparation. We'll recommend products suited to your home's conditions.

Yes, cabinet refinishing is possible in many cases. We'll evaluate the existing finish and material to see whether painting or replacing makes more sense.

We'll move and cover furniture as needed for interior work. Fragile or valuable items are best moved by you beforehand.

Yes. We clean clay and concrete tile roofs, adjusting pressure to the surface so the tile is cleaned without being damaged.

Yes. Every exterior paint job starts with pressure washing so the new paint bonds to a clean surface.

Driveways, walkways, pavers, patios, pool decks, garage floors, stucco walls, fences, screen enclosures and roofs.

Yes. You can book pressure washing on its own or together with exterior painting.

The texture comes off as debris, so we cover walls, doors, windows and floors with plastic first. The debris is contained on the plastic and removed with it.

It can in homes built before the mid-1980s. The ceiling should be tested before any removal.

Yes. After removal the ceiling is repaired, smoothed, primed and painted.

Yes. We plan the work around association rules and protect common areas and neighboring units.

In most cases, yes. Texture matching takes care, and we'll blend the repair with the surrounding wall before painting.

Yes. We can finish the repair with paint so the wall is complete. See our painting services.

It's possible if the drywall was wet for some time. If we see signs of mold during repair, we'll stop and recommend an evaluation.

Small repairs can take more than one visit because each layer of joint compound needs to dry before the next. We'll explain the timeline for your repair.

Not always. Small losses may only need minor repairs. Larger losses often involve removing drywall, flooring, or cabinets, which then need to be rebuilt.

Yes. Many owners choose to upgrade finishes or layouts during the rebuild. We separate upgrade costs from damage-related repairs so everything stays transparent.

Yes. We can take on reconstruction after another company completed mitigation, once we've reviewed the existing conditions and documentation.

Yes. Rebuild projects and major renovations are part of our renovation services.