What Paul Davis Restoration does

Paul Davis Restoration is a franchise network that responds to property damage from water, fire, mold, and storms. The company does not handle insurance claims directly — you file with your insurer, and Paul Davis performs the restoration work. They operate in all 50 states through independently owned franchises, so the specific services and response time depend on which location serves your area.

When you contact a Paul Davis location, they send a crew to assess the damage, document it for your insurance claim, remove damaged materials, dry the property, and rebuild or repair affected areas. The work ranges from extracting water and running dehumidifiers to replacing drywall, flooring, and structural elements. They also handle mold remediation if mold is present or suspected.

Paul Davis operates on a contract basis: you hire them directly, they bill your insurance company, and you pay your deductible. They are not a government program, a nonprofit, or an insurance company — they are a for-profit restoration contractor.

Key Takeaways

  • Paul Davis is a franchise network of restoration contractors, not an insurance company, so you must contact your insurer first and then hire Paul Davis separately.
  • Each Paul Davis location is independently owned, which means response times, pricing, and available services vary by region.
  • Paul Davis typically bills your insurance company directly, but you remain responsible for your deductible and any costs your policy does not cover.
  • The company handles water extraction, drying, mold remediation, and rebuilding, but the scope of work depends on what your insurance policy covers.
  • You can request Paul Davis by name when you file a claim, though your insurer may have preferred contractors or may require competitive bids for large jobs.

How to contact a Paul Davis location near you

Paul Davis maintains a location finder on their website where you enter your zip code and receive contact information for the nearest franchise. You can call that location directly after a loss, or you can file a claim with your insurance company first and ask them to send Paul Davis to assess the damage.

Response times vary. Many Paul Davis locations offer 24/7 emergency service and aim to arrive within hours of a call, but actual arrival depends on the number of active jobs in your area and the severity of your damage. During widespread disasters (major storms, floods), all restoration companies in a region become overwhelmed, and wait times extend.

If you call Paul Davis before contacting your insurer, the crew can document the damage and provide a scope of work and estimate. You then submit this documentation to your insurance company as part of your claim. If you file the claim first, your insurer may assign an adjuster who will meet Paul Davis at the property.

What Paul Davis charges and how payment works

Paul Davis does not publish standard pricing because restoration costs depend entirely on the type and extent of damage. A small water leak in one room costs far less than fire damage across an entire house or mold remediation in a crawl space. The crew provides a written estimate after inspecting the property.

Payment flows through your insurance company in most cases. Paul Davis submits an invoice to your insurer, and the insurer pays Paul Davis directly. You pay your deductible (typically $500 to $2,500 for water or fire damage, depending on your policy) out of pocket. If the restoration cost exceeds what your insurance covers, you are responsible for the difference — this happens when damage is severe, your policy limits are low, or certain types of damage are excluded from your coverage.

Some people hire Paul Davis without insurance (for example, if damage is minor or not covered). In that case, you pay Paul Davis directly based on their estimate. Request an itemized quote so you understand what each phase of work costs.

The restoration process: what happens after you hire Paul Davis

The first step is assessment and documentation. A Paul Davis crew arrives, photographs the damage, identifies affected areas, and determines what materials must be removed and what can be salvaged. They create a scope of work — a detailed list of what will be done and in what order. This document goes to your insurance adjuster and becomes the basis for the estimate.

Next comes emergency mitigation. If water is present, the crew extracts it using pumps and wet vacuums. They place dehumidifiers and air movers throughout the property to dry structural materials and prevent mold growth. If fire damage is present, they may board windows, cover openings, and remove charred materials. This phase happens quickly — often the same day or the next day — because delaying increases the risk of mold and secondary damage.

The removal and cleanup phase follows. The crew removes drywall, flooring, insulation, and other materials that cannot be restored. They haul debris away and clean surfaces with antimicrobial treatments if needed. This phase can take days to weeks depending on the size of the affected area.

Finally, reconstruction begins. Paul Davis replaces drywall, flooring, trim, and other structural elements. They may also handle painting, cabinet replacement, and other finishing work. Reconstruction is the longest phase and may take weeks or months for large jobs. During this time, you may be unable to occupy the property.

What your insurance policy covers and what it does not

Standard homeowners insurance covers sudden, accidental damage from fire, lightning, wind, hail, and theft. It also covers sudden water damage from burst pipes or appliance failures. These are the losses Paul Davis handles most often.

Standard policies do not cover damage from flooding (water that enters from outside), earthquakes, wear and tear, or damage caused by neglect. If your house flooded because of heavy rain or a river overflow, your homeowners policy will not pay for restoration — you need a separate flood insurance policy. If mold grew because you ignored a slow leak for months, your insurer may deny the claim or cover only the initial water damage, not the mold remediation.

Review your policy documents or call your insurer before hiring Paul Davis to confirm what type of damage is covered. Your adjuster will make the final information after inspecting the property, and they may cover less than Paul Davis estimates if they believe part of the damage falls outside your coverage.

Choosing Paul Davis versus other restoration companies

Paul Davis is one of many restoration contractors. Others include ServiceMaster, Belfor, SERVPRO, and numerous local or regional companies. Your insurance company may have preferred contractors — companies they work with regularly and trust — and they may push you toward those names. You have the right to choose your own contractor, but your insurer will only pay for work they deem necessary and reasonable.

If you want to hire Paul Davis specifically, tell your insurer that name when you file the claim. If the damage is large or the estimate is high, your insurer may require competitive bids from multiple contractors before approving the work. In that case, you can request bids from Paul Davis and one or two other companies, and your insurer will compare them.

Differences between contractors are often small. Most follow the same drying and remediation standards set by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The main variables are response time, crew experience, and how smoothly they communicate with your insurer. Ask any contractor how quickly they can arrive, whether they have crews available in your area, and whether they have experience with your specific type of damage.

Common problems and how to handle them

One frequent issue is disagreement over scope. Paul Davis estimates $15,000 in work, but your insurer's adjuster thinks $10,000 is sufficient. In this case, you and your insurer must negotiate. You can request a second opinion from another contractor, hire a public adjuster (who represents you against your insurer for a fee), or accept your insurer's decision and pay the difference yourself if you want the full restoration.

Another problem is mold discovery during the job. Paul Davis begins removing drywall and finds mold in the walls. Mold remediation costs more and may not be covered if your policy excludes it or if the mold is deemed pre-existing. Clarify your mold coverage with your insurer before work starts, and ask Paul Davis to document any mold they find so your insurer can make a coverage decision.

A third issue is prolonged drying time. Structural materials like framing and subfloors can take weeks to dry completely, especially in humid climates. Paul Davis will keep dehumidifiers running, but you cannot occupy the space until moisture levels are safe. Ask for a timeline upfront and confirm whether your insurer will cover temporary housing costs while the property dries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose Paul Davis, or does my insurance company have to approve them?

You can choose Paul Davis, but your insurer must approve the estimate and scope of work. If Paul Davis is not on your insurer's preferred contractor list, the insurer may still pay them, but they may require competitive bids or may dispute parts of the estimate. Tell your insurer your preference when you file the claim.

What if Paul Davis finds damage my insurance adjuster missed?

This happens often. Paul Davis may discover hidden mold, structural damage behind walls, or damage to areas the adjuster did not inspect closely. Request a supplemental inspection from your adjuster, or ask Paul Davis to document the additional damage in writing so you can submit it to your insurer. Your insurer may approve additional payment, or you may need to pay out of pocket.

How long does a typical restoration take?

Emergency mitigation (extraction and drying) usually takes three to seven days. Removal and cleanup takes one to two weeks. Reconstruction takes two to eight weeks depending on the extent of damage. A small water damage job might be done in two weeks; a major fire restoration can take three months or longer.

Will Paul Davis help me file my insurance claim?

Paul Davis can document the damage and provide estimates and photos, which you submit to your insurer. They do not file the claim for you or negotiate with your insurer on your behalf. You must contact your insurance company directly to report the loss and start the claim process.

What happens if my insurer denies the claim?

If your insurer denies coverage, you are responsible for paying Paul Davis directly unless you dispute the denial. You can request a written explanation of the denial, review your policy to understand why, and consider hiring a public adjuster or attorney if you believe the denial is wrong. Paul Davis will pause work until payment is arranged.