Where is the damage?
Active damage? Call 321-420-7274 now. Otherwise send the property city or ZIP and Ryan calls you back. Ask the matched company whether it charges for an inspection before it comes out.
Active loss? Call. Don't fill in a form.
- $0paid to CFDR
- Writtenitemized estimate
- 24/7calls taken
What the matched company looks for.
Water damage signs
Staining on ceilings, walls, or floors. Soft spots and spongy subfloor. Warped, buckled, or cupping hardwood. Peeling paint and bubbling drywall. Musty odors even without visible mold.
Moisture and mold signs
Visible mold growth on any surface and the moisture source behind it. Hidden moisture behind walls measured with moisture meters. In Florida, a licensed Mold Assessor, not the remediator, assesses mold.
Storm damage
Wind-driven rain intrusion points. Roof damage and compromised flashing. Impact damage to siding and windows. Post-storm moisture infiltration into wall cavities and attic.
Fire & smoke residue
Visible char and structural fire damage. Smoke residue penetration into walls, attic, and HVAC. Odor-causing soot in hidden cavities. Structural integrity concerns from heat exposure.
Sewage & contamination
Sewage backup affected areas (Category 3 water). Groundwater contamination from flooding. Safety evaluation for occupancy.
Foundation moisture
Moisture migration through slab and block foundation. Hydrostatic pressure signs. Efflorescence and mineral deposits indicating chronic moisture. Sub-slab moisture and vapor barrier condition.
What happens at an inspection.
- 01STEPAsk for the arrival time
Ask the matched company for its arrival time before you agree to anything. Ask who is coming and when.
- 02STEPFull walk-through
The company walks every room and every area of concern with you, looks at what you flagged and checks surrounding spaces where damage often hides.
- 03STEPMoisture readings
Moisture meters and, where appropriate, thermal imaging. Readings should be documented, not eyeballed.
- 04STEPA plain assessment
The company tells you what it finds, including if there is nothing wrong, and explains what is urgent and what can wait.
- 05STEPWritten, itemized estimate
If restoration is warranted, ask for a written, line-item estimate before any work starts. You are not obligated to hire the company that inspects.
- 06STEPDocumentation for your claim
Ask for photos, moisture readings and the estimate so you have them for your insurer. The matched company explains what it found and what its estimate covers; your insurer decides coverage.
What Florida itself tells you to do first.
Florida law requires your insurer to give you a Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights within 14 days of your first claim call. Its advisory list is a good checklist for the hours before and after an inspection (s. 627.7142, Florida Statutes).
- Report the claim to your insurer yourself. The statute says to file claims directly with your insurance company. Reporting a new claim is barred after 1 year from the date of loss, 18 months for a supplemental one (s. 627.70132).
- Ask about managed repair before you sign anything. Contact your insurer before entering a repair contract to confirm any managed repair provisions or preferred vendors.
- Document emergency repairs. Make the repairs needed to prevent more damage, keep damaged property if feasible, keep every receipt, and photograph or video the damage before and after repairs.
- Read any percentage-of-proceeds contract carefully. The statute flags contracts that charge a fee based on a percentage of the insurance money you will receive.
- Check the contractor's license and insurance. Verify the license with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (license lookup), ask for references, and require proof of insurance before repairs begin.
- If you have to leave the home, secure it. Turn off gas, water and electricity if it is safe to do so, and give your insurer a phone number where you can be reached.
An honest look first, and a price before work.
Ask the matched company whether it charges for an inspection before it comes out.
Moisture meters and a careful walk-through can find hidden water behind walls before it becomes a major loss.
If there is damage, ask for photos and a written estimate in Xactimate format. Your insurer decides coverage.
Common questions.
What does the inspection cost?+
Ask the matched company whether it charges for an inspection before it comes out. You pay CFDR nothing, and CFDR does not bill your insurer.
Do I have to buy or sign anything?+
No. You decide what to do next, on your timeline. The matched company explains what it found and what its estimate covers; your insurer decides coverage.
How long does the inspection take?+
It depends on the size of your home and the number of areas of concern. Ask the company how long to plan for when you book.
What areas do you cover?+
Within about 90 minutes of Orlando: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Volusia, Polk, Brevard, Sumter and Marion counties. Large losses elsewhere in Florida: call to ask.
How quickly can a company come out?+
Ask the matched company for its arrival time before you agree to anything. Call any hour. Owner Ryan Solberg takes the calls; if he is on another call, he calls you back.
What if I'm not sure I have a problem?+
That is exactly when to call. Hidden moisture is easier and cheaper to deal with before it becomes a large loss. A moisture reading tells you whether there is a problem.