Reconstruction After Water, Fire & Mold Damage in Northern Utah
Once the water is gone, the smoke is cleaned up, or the mold is removed, you still have to put the house back together. Most restoration companies stop there and send you to a completely different company for repairs. Guardian Restoration doesn't. We handle the mitigation (water extraction, drying, cleanup, remediation), and then we manage the rebuild as your general contractor: drywall, insulation, flooring, trim, paint and the rest of the finish work.
Guardian is a licensed Utah general contractor (Licensed Utah contractor, B100 #14314902-5501). We manage the rebuild from start to finish and stand behind it. You don't have to find a second contractor, explain the job again, or wait for someone new to fit you into their schedule. The company that dried your home already knows what was removed, what needs to be replaced, and what your insurance adjuster has approved, and you keep one point of contact from the first call to the final walkthrough.
What We Manage
The scope depends on what was damaged and what had to be removed. As your general contractor, we manage and oversee common rebuild work, including:
- Drywall: Replacing removed sections, then taping, mudding and texturing to match the existing walls and ceilings as closely as possible.
- Insulation: Replacing wet or contaminated insulation in the opened wall and ceiling areas.
- Flooring: Carpet and pad, laminate, LVP, tile and hardwood, depending on what was affected.
- Baseboard and trim: Replacing or reinstalling baseboard, casing and door trim, matched to the existing profile where possible.
- Paint: Priming and painting repaired areas, plus the full wall or room when needed for an even finish.
- Cabinets and vanities: Detaching and resetting, or replacing, base cabinets and bathroom vanities damaged by water.
- Fire and smoke damage repairs: Rebuilding areas that couldn't be cleaned or restored after a fire, including drywall, insulation, trim, paint and finishes.
- Rebuild after mold remediation: Once the affected materials have been removed and the area has been cleaned and cleared, we manage closing up the walls and restoring the finishes.
How It Works: From Mitigation to Move-In
- 1Call us. Tell us what happened. If water is still active, we'll talk you through the immediate steps, like shutting off the water supply. Available 24/7 at (385) 625-7333.
- 2Inspect and document. We assess the damage, take moisture readings and photos, and explain what needs to come out and why. That documentation supports your insurance claim.
- 3Mitigate. We extract water, remove damaged materials, set up drying equipment, and clean or remediate as needed (water, fire/smoke, or mold).
- 4Monitor and verify drying. We check moisture levels throughout the drying process and confirm materials have reached acceptable dry readings before anything is closed up.
- 5Scope the rebuild. We write up the repair scope and share it with you and, when applicable, your insurance carrier.
- 6Pick finishes. Where materials need to be replaced, we help you match what you had or choose replacements, such as flooring, paint colors and trim.
- 7Rebuild. As your licensed general contractor, we manage the work in the right order (insulation and drywall, then flooring, trim and paint, then cabinets and fixtures), manage the work, and keep you updated. You deal with us from start to finish.
- 8Final walkthrough. We walk the finished work with you and take care of any punch-list items before we call the job done.
Why One Company Matters
Most restoration companies only handle the first half of the job. They dry the home, remove the damaged materials, and then send you to a completely different company for repairs. That handoff tends to cause problems:
- Delays. The new contractor has to come out, re-measure, write their own estimate, and fit you into their schedule while your walls sit open.
- Finger-pointing. If something isn't right, it can be hard to tell whose job it was, and each company may point at the other.
- More insurance back-and-forth. Two companies mean two estimates and two sets of documentation, and often more calls between you, your adjuster and each contractor.
With Guardian, one licensed company manages the whole project, from the first call to the final walkthrough:
- We did the mitigation, so we know exactly what was removed and why.
- The moisture readings, photos and scope stay in one place.
- You have one point of contact for scheduling and questions.
- We manage the whole project and stand behind the work, so you're not managing contractors yourself.
- The project moves from drying to rebuild without a handoff to a separate company.
Insurance Claim Coordination
Most water, fire and mold jobs involve an insurance claim, and we work with that process every day. Here's what we can do:
- Document the loss. Photos, moisture readings, and a written scope of the damage and the work.
- Talk with your adjuster. We can communicate with your insurance carrier about scope and pricing for the mitigation and rebuild.
- Keep you informed. You'll know what's been approved, what's pending, and what's next.
A few things to know:
- Your coverage, deductible and final claim decisions are up to your insurance company and your policy. We can't promise what a carrier will approve.
- You're responsible for your deductible and for any work outside the approved claim, such as upgrades you choose.
- You can choose your own restoration and repair contractor. Your insurance company may recommend one, but the choice is yours.
What to Expect on Water Damage Rebuilds
Flood cuts: why only part of the wall comes out
When water soaks the bottom of a wall, we usually make a flood cut, a straight cut that removes only the damaged lower section of drywall and insulation. On a 2 ft flood cut, only the bottom 2 ft of drywall and insulation are removed and replaced. It isn't a full-height tear-out. The rest of the wall stays in place, so there's less demolition, less mess and less to rebuild.
The cut height comes from moisture readings and how far the water wicked up the wall, not a fixed rule. If the readings show water went higher, the cut goes higher. The goal is to remove what's damaged and keep what isn't.
We verify drying before closing walls
Closing up a wall that's still wet can trap moisture and lead to mold or failed finishes later. Our drying process follows the industry standard for water damage restoration (IICRC S500). We take moisture readings during drying and confirm framing and other materials are dry before new insulation and drywall go in.
Realistic timelines
Drying often takes several days, and the rebuild timeline depends on the scope, insurance approval, and material availability, such as flooring orders or matching trim. We'll give you an estimated schedule once the scope is set and keep you updated if anything changes.
Older homes
Many homes in Northern Utah were built before the 1980s, and older materials can require extra care. Asbestos testing is handled on the mitigation side before any demolition, and rebuild work begins only once that step is cleared.
Licensing & Credentials
Licensed Utah contractor, B100 #14314902-5501. Guardian Restoration is a licensed Utah general contractor through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). For the rebuild, we act as your general contractor: we manage the rebuild and stand behind the work. Our team includes an IICRC-certified Water Damage Restoration Technician.
Service Area
We handle reconstruction across Northern Utah, with most jobs in Salt Lake County and north Utah County.
Utah County: American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, Orem, Provo, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain
Salt Lake County: Salt Lake City, Sandy, West Jordan, South Jordan, Draper, Murray, Herriman, Riverton, West Valley City
We also serve Davis and Weber counties and surrounding communities.
Based at 934 S 240 W, American Fork, UT 84003. Licensed Utah contractor, B100 #14314902-5501.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you do both water damage mitigation and reconstruction?+
Yes. Guardian Restoration handles the mitigation, then manages the rebuild as a licensed Utah general contractor (B100 #14314902-5501). We schedule and coordinate the drywall, insulation, flooring, trim and paint work, so you don't need to hire a separate company for repairs.
Are you a licensed contractor?+
Yes. Guardian Restoration is a licensed Utah contractor, B100 #14314902-5501, through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Why does it matter if one company handles the drying and the rebuild?+
Most restoration companies stop after drying and send you to a completely different company for repairs. When one company manages both, nothing gets lost in a handoff. We know what was removed and why, the documentation stays in one place, you keep one point of contact, and the rebuild can start once drying is confirmed, without waiting on a new contractor to estimate and schedule.
What is a flood cut?+
A flood cut is a straight cut along a water-damaged wall that removes only the affected lower section of drywall and insulation. For example, on a 2 ft flood cut only the bottom 2 ft is removed and replaced. It isn't a full-height tear-out. The cut height depends on moisture readings and how far the water traveled up the wall.
How do you know the walls are dry before you rebuild?+
We take moisture readings throughout the drying process and confirm materials are dry before new insulation and drywall go in. Our drying process follows the IICRC S500 standard for water damage restoration.
Will my insurance cover the reconstruction?+
It depends on your policy and your insurance company's decision. Many covered water and fire losses include repairs, but we can't promise what a carrier will approve. We document the damage, communicate with your adjuster, and can bill your carrier directly when applicable. You're responsible for your deductible and any work outside the approved claim.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurance company recommends?+
No. You can choose your own restoration and repair contractor. Your insurance company may suggest one, but the choice is yours.
How long does the rebuild take?+
It depends on the size of the job, insurance approval, and material availability. Drying often takes several days, and we'll give you an estimated rebuild schedule once the scope is set, then keep you updated as the work moves along.
What areas do you serve for reconstruction?+
We serve Northern Utah, including Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Weber counties. Most of our rebuild work is in Salt Lake County and north Utah County, including American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Alpine, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, Orem, Provo, Saratoga Springs, Eagle Mountain, Salt Lake City, Sandy, West Jordan, South Jordan, Draper, Murray, Herriman, Riverton and West Valley City.
One company, from drying to done
If your home has water, fire or mold damage, or the cleanup is finished and you're ready to rebuild, call Guardian Restoration. We'll explain the next steps, how we manage the rebuild, and how we can help with the insurance side.
Guardian Restoration · 934 S 240 W, American Fork, UT 84003 · Licensed Utah contractor, B100 #14314902-5501