Someone's Coming to Your House to "Estimate" the Damage. Who Are They, Exactly?

In our last two posts, we walked through what disaster restoration actually is and who to call when your basement floods, your roof gets torn up, or you find mold behind the drywall. Today, we’re taking it one step further: once you make that call, who actually shows up at your door?

The first person you’ll meet is your Estimator - and understanding their role takes a lot of the mystery (and stress) out of the process.

What is an Estimator, Really?

An estimator is the restoration professional who visits your property, evaluates the damage, and builds the detailed scope of work that becomes your repair plan. Think of them as the translator between “my house is a disaster” and “here’s exactly what it will take, and cost, to fix it.”

At Firstcall Restoration, here’s what that looks like in practice. And it follows a real timeline, not a vague promise:

• Within 2 hours of your first call, someone from our team reaches out to gather

details and answer your immediate questions.

• Within 1 day, an Estimator visits your property in person.

• Within 48 hours of that visit, you receive a clear, written estimate.

What an Estimator Actually Does On-Site

When your Estimator arrives, they’re not just glancing around and guessing. They’re conducting a thorough damage assessment using industry-specific tools and software that insurance carriers recognize and trust.

A typical site visit includes:

• Documenting visible damage: photos, measurements, and notes on every affected

area

• Identifying hidden damage: checking behind walls, under flooring, and in areas water or smoke may have reached, but you can’t see*

• Building a detailed scope of work: a line-by-line breakdown of materials, labor, and

repairs needed

• Explaining your options: walking you through what restoration will involve, in plain

language, with no pressure

• Coordinating with your insurance adjuster: so the numbers align and your claim

moves faster

One important note: most estimates are free and no-obligation, but mold assessments are the exception. Mold requires specialized testing and protocols, so it’s handled as its own.

*At times, damage that couldn't be seen during the initial estimate becomes visible once work begins: hidden water intrusion behind walls, compromised framing under flooring, or structural issues that only appear after demo. When that happens, your Estimator returns to the property, documents the newly uncovered damage, and revises the estimate. That updated scope, called a supplement, is submitted to your insurance adjuster for review, and your Estimator works directly with the adjuster to get it approved so work can continue without unnecessary delays on your end.

Why the Estimator's Work Matters So Much

A rushed or incomplete estimate can cause real problems later such as missed damage,

disputes with your insurance company, or a rebuild that doesn’t match what was actually

needed. A thorough estimate protects you on both fronts: it makes sure nothing gets missed, and it gives you (and your adjuster) a clear, honest picture from day one.

That’s why transparency and education are at the center of how our Estimators operate. You should never feel pressured or confused walking out of that first conversation.

Meet the Team Behind the Estimate

Firstcall’s Estimating team is led by Greg Kornstad, one of our company owners and a 25-plus year veteran of the restoration industry. Greg has spent his career helping homeowners and business owners navigate the exact moment you’re in right now - the shock of unexpected damage - and he’s built our estimating process around one principle: do right by the customer, every single time.

• 

  Gret

• 

  Blake

• 

  Brad

• 

  Brock

• 

  Mike

• 

  Robert

Working alongside Greg, our Estimators, including Blake, Brad, Brock, Mike, and Robert

across our Grimes, Cedar Rapids, and Ames locations, bring decades of combined field

experience to every property they walk. Many have 7, 13, even 27+ years in construction and restoration. They’ve seen nearly every type of damage Iowa weather and bad luck can produce, and they know how to scope it right the first time.

What Happens After the Estimate?

Once your estimate is approved, the project moves into the hands of your Project Manager andthe technicians who carry out the actual restoration work, such as extraction, drying, demo, and rebuild. We’ll introduce that team in our next post.

For now, just know this: the Estimator is your starting point, not a stranger with a

clipboard. They’re the first step in a process designed to get your home or business back to normal clearly, honestly, and without surprises.

Questions About Your Estimate?

If you’re staring at damage right now and wondering what an estimate visit will actually involve, we’re happy to walk you through it before we even arrive.

Call our 24/7 emergency line to get started.