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Guide

Before you hire a restoration contractor in Minnesota

This site does not vet or rank contractors. Here is what to ask and what Minnesota law says, so you can check for yourself.

Moisture meter pressed against drywall

Ask

Questions worth asking

  • Will you give me a written estimate or scope before starting?
  • How will you measure moisture, and will I get the daily readings?
  • What will you remove, and why can't it be dried in place?
  • Do you also rebuild, or only dry? Who replaces drywall and flooring?
  • What is your Minnesota licence number for the rebuild work?
  • Who do I call if the equipment trips a breaker or stops?

Licensing

Who needs a Minnesota licence

Minnesota requires a residential building contractor or residential remodeler licence from the Department of Labor and Industry for anyone who contracts with a homeowner to do work in two or more "special skills" (Minn. Stat. 326B.805). The special skills include carpentry and drywall installation, interior finishing such as flooring and insulation, drywall and plaster, and roofing (326B.802). Rebuilding after water damage often crosses more than one of them.

A licensee must show its licence number in its advertising, including websites (326B.87). You can look the number up on the DLI license and registration lookup or call DLI at 651-284-5034. DLI also runs a Contractor Recovery Fund that reimburses homeowners who lose money because of a licensed residential contractor (DLI FAQ).

Paperwork

Before the work starts

  1. Written scope

    What will be removed, dried and rebuilt, and how the price is calculated.

  2. Licence number

    On the contract for licensed work, and checked on the DLI lookup.

  3. Permits

    Who pulls them. Minneapolis requires a plumbing permit to replace water piping or a water heater.

  4. Drying log

    Daily readings until the materials reach normal levels.

  5. Photos

    Before, during and after, for your records and any claim.

Basement, ceiling, smoke or mold

Talk it through with a local restoration contractor

A single call reaches an independent contractor who handles water, fire and mold jobs around Minneapolis. They will ask questions, may come out to look, and give you their own price. Hiring them is your choice.

Water where it shouldn't be?

The call goes to an independent restoration contractor that takes jobs in Minneapolis and the nearby suburbs. Have the source, the wet rooms and the start time in mind.

Call (612) 471-0822

Calls may be recorded. How the line is paid: referral disclosure. How call data is handled: privacy.

Call (612) 471-0822