Provider profile
Disaster Services Apache Junction
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Apache Junction and San Tan Valley homeowners dealing with water damage or mold who want a family-owned operator with sub-90-minute emergency response times.
Best for
- Apache Junction, San Tan Valley, or Gilbert homeowners who need same-day water extraction after a pipe burst or tub overflow.
- Homeowners who want the business owner on-site doing the actual work rather than dispatching rotating crews.
- Insurance claimants who need help navigating the deductible and documentation process alongside the restoration work.
- Manufactured home owners dealing with water damage discovered during renovation, where hidden moisture mapping matters.
- Renters or homeowners who discovered mold and want a free initial inspection before committing to remediation.
About this company
Disaster Services is a family-owned restoration company headquartered in Apache Junction, Arizona. They handle water damage cleanup, mold detection, and mold removal for both homes and businesses across the east Phoenix metro area. Van Smith, the owner, runs most jobs personally and has done so since founding the company in 2016.
They use thermal imaging to locate hidden moisture behind walls and under floors, which shows up in their project gallery as blue-highlighted areas on drywall scans. Their mold removal page describes a detect-first approach where they map the mold before building a removal plan, and they mention using ozone treatment and eco-friendly methods. They also offer deductible assistance for homeowners filing insurance claims, a service they promote prominently on every page of their site. Reconstruction work goes through a partner contractor rather than being handled in-house.
The company has operated out of the same Roosevelt Street address since its founding. Facebook reviews from 2017 mention both Esther and Van by name, and the About page identifies the operation as local and family-owned. Their website references IICRC standards in blog content about sewage remediation and mold cleanup procedures.
A perfect 5.0 rating across 41 Google reviews is unusual for any restoration company. The review history spans six years with no negative reviews at any star level, and multiple reviewers are Google Local Guides with extensive review histories. That consistency over time suggests the small-crew, owner-operated model is producing reliably positive outcomes.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Apache Junction, Arizona. Their website lists dedicated service pages for Apache Junction, San Tan Valley, and Gilbert. Project gallery photos show completed work in Chandler as well. Their FAQ claims technicians can reach most locations in the Phoenix metro valley within 60-90 minutes.
Review consensus
Van draws the most mentions by far. Reviewers call out his honesty on pricing (steve cupone: "didn't try to sell me things I didn't need"), his willingness to explain the process step by step (Loren Golden, Kristin Capadona), and his habit of showing up personally on jobs (Kevin Garcia, Aubri Connor, Armando Galicia). Paul gets strong mentions for after-hours responsiveness (David Brantner: arrived within 40 minutes at 10pm) and thorough attic inspections in extreme heat (Greg Tandecki). Esther is praised for clear communication on the phone (Tiffany). Kim Wetzel specifically names both Van and John as treating her like family. Multiple reviewers note same-day or next-day arrival and fair pricing.
0 found across 41 total reviews at 5.0★. No 1-star reviews exist in the review history. Across all 41 reviews at 5.0 stars, there are zero negative reviews at any star level within the last 18 months or in the visible record.
This is an owner-operator model where Van personally handles most jobs, which likely explains the consistency. Several reviewers mention being walked through the insurance claim process unprompted (Kelsey Armstrong notes Van asked if she had contacted insurance before starting work). The small crew size means capacity is limited, but every touchpoint goes through the same people.
Van (owner/lead technician — consistently praised for honesty, fair pricing, hands-on work, and clear communication). Paul (technician — praised for fast response, thorough inspections, and after-hours availability). Esther (office/phone — praised for clear phone communication and explaining services needed). John (crew member — praised alongside Van for friendly, small-town treatment).
With zero negatives across 41 reviews spanning six years, this is one of the cleanest review records you will find. The tradeoff is scale: Van runs most jobs himself, so scheduling may be tight during busy seasons. Ask for Van specifically if you want the owner on your job, and get an independent mold test if you want to separate the testing and remediation incentives.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation, which creates a conflict of interest. The same company that tells you how much mold you have also profits from removing it. Consider getting an independent test before or after their work.
- Reconstruction is handled by a separate partner contractor, not by Disaster Services directly. Ask who the partner is and whether you can choose your own contractor for rebuild work.
- Their website claims technicians arrive within 60-90 minutes for the Phoenix metro area, but the service location pages only list Apache Junction, San Tan Valley, and Gilbert. Confirm response times for locations further out.
- The website is heavy on blog content that reads as SEO material rather than company-specific detail. Equipment lists and method descriptions are generic across pages.
- With 41 reviews, this is still a small-volume operation. The perfect rating reflects a small team doing consistent work, but there is limited data compared to larger competitors.