Who we are
RestoreAdvisor is a national research and referral platform focused on home restoration and remediation. We publish in-depth guides, real cost data, and contractor-matching tools to help U.S. homeowners navigate some of the most stressful situations a property owner can face.
We are not a contractor. We have no financial relationship with any specific service provider and we do not accept paid placements in our editorial content. Our guides are researched independently, drawing on data from the EPA, CDC, IICRC, and other authoritative sources.
When you read something on RestoreAdvisor, it reflects what the research actually says. Not what any contractor paid us to say.
Meet the founder
Sam Hickerson is the founder of RestoreAdvisor and a former Lead Product Manager at Realtor.com, where he spent over a decade building consumer-facing home services products and helping millions of Americans navigate high-stakes home decisions. He founded RestoreAdvisor to bring the same consumer-first, data-driven approach to home restoration and remediation.
How RestoreAdvisor works
Step 1: Research your situation
Start with our guides. Whether you've spotted mold, noticed a musty smell, or had a water event and want to know if mold is a risk, our articles cover what you're facing, what it costs, and what to expect from the remediation process.
Step 2: Understand your options
Our cost guides and comparison tools help you understand realistic price ranges before you talk to anyone. You'll know what a fair quote looks like and what to push back on.
Step 3: Connect with a local contractor
When you're ready, we can connect you with licensed, insured restoration contractors in your area. Submit a request and qualified professionals will reach out to you directly.
Editorial policy
Every guide on RestoreAdvisor is researched and reviewed against primary sources including the EPA, CDC, NIOSH, IICRC, OSHA, and NIEHS. We link to primary sources directly so readers can verify what we publish.
We do not cite contractor marketing materials, manufacturer estimates, or undated industry claims. Cost data is sourced from industry reports, contractor surveys, and publicly available project data. Our editorial content is independent from any contractor or service provider relationships.
Corrections and updates
Accuracy is core to RestoreAdvisor's mission. When we discover an error, we correct it promptly and clearly. Content is reviewed and updated when agency guidelines change, new research is published, or cost data shifts meaningfully. Each update reflects the date it was made in the page header.
Notice something off? Email us at [email protected]
AI use disclosure
We use AI tools to assist with research, organization, and content development, always under editorial direction. Every guide on RestoreAdvisor is researched, directed, and reviewed by Sam Hickerson, drawing on authoritative federal and industry sources.
AI supports our work, but the editorial judgment behind it is ours.
Third-party content
RestoreAdvisor does not publish pay-to-play content. We do not accept payment to feature or recommend any specific contractor, product, or service.
When contractors are mentioned in our guides, it is because they are relevant to the topic, not because of any commercial relationship. Any future sponsored or partner content will be clearly disclosed and labeled as such.
What we cover
RestoreAdvisor publishes in-depth resources on mold remediation, mold inspection, and mold testing. Coverage includes cost guides, process explainers, signs of mold, DIY vs. professional comparisons, and local contractor matching.
Have a question or need help?
If you have a question about a restoration situation, want to connect with a contractor, or just need help understanding your options, we're here.
Email: [email protected]