Provider profile
Big Dog Restoration
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
El Dorado Hills homeowners dealing with water damage that has turned into a mold problem, where having a single operator who handles both drying and reconstruction under one general contractor license matters.
Best for
- Homeowners in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, or Granite Bay dealing with water damage that needs drying, mold removal, and reconstruction handled by one company.
- Buyers who want to talk directly to the person doing the work rather than a dispatcher or sales team.
- Situations where a small leak has turned into a hidden mold issue and you need someone who can assess both the water source and the mold.
- Homeowners navigating an insurance claim for water or mold damage who want help with the paperwork and process.
About this company
Big Dog Restoration is an owner-operated restoration company based in El Dorado Hills, California, run by James Milne since 1987. What sets them apart is the combination of IICRC Master Restorer credentials and a general contractor license under one person. Jim handles mold remediation, water damage restoration, and the reconstruction afterward without subcontracting the rebuild.
Their mold remediation process follows the IICRC S520 standard. They use thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, containment with plastic barriers, HEPA vacuuming, and dehumidification systems. They arrange independent third-party testing for clearance after remediation. They also offer a free virtual consultation where you can text photos before anyone comes to the house. Beyond restoration, they do carpet cleaning, upholstery care, and tile and natural stone cleaning and sealing.
Jim founded the company after leaving a corporate career in 1987. He holds two IICRC Master Restorer certifications and is completing a third, which would make him one of a small number of people who hold all three. He served on the Board of Directors for the Cleaning and Restoration Association. The company donates to animal rescue organizations from every job.
With a 4.7-star rating on Google across 40 reviews and only 1 negative review in the last 18 months, the track record is strong for a small operation. Nearly every review names Jim personally, which tells you this is a one-man show in terms of customer-facing work.
Services
Service area
Based in El Dorado Hills, California. Serves El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Granite Bay, Roseville, Cameron Park, Placerville, and Fair Oaks. One review notes Jim told a caller he does not service Auburn, which suggests the boundaries are real.
Review consensus
Jim Milne is mentioned by name in nearly every review. Reviewers consistently praise three things: he answers the phone personally and responds fast (same-day visits are common), he gives honest assessments even when it means telling people they do not need his services, and he walks homeowners through the insurance claims process. Several reviewers specifically note that Jim educated them about mold remediation standards before any work began. Edward Simon and Lauren Mangino both describe Jim explaining remediation options even knowing they might not hire him. Sarah Arney and Alyze B highlight his ability to calm panicked homeowners. John Turanin praised his project management skills coordinating between buyers, sellers, and inspectors during a real estate transaction.
1 found across 40 total reviews at 4.7★. The sole recent negative is a 1-star review from Gabe Prieto stating only "Poor customer service, would not recommend these guys" with no specifics. The owner responded saying he has no record of this person and does not believe they ever did business together. With no details from the reviewer and an owner response suggesting this may not be a real customer, this complaint carries little weight on its own.
The review pattern tells a clear story about a solo operator. Jim handles everything from the initial phone call to the on-site work to the insurance paperwork. This produces extremely high satisfaction because the person you talk to is the person who does the work, with no handoff or miscommunication in between. The downside is that capacity is limited. The owner responds to negative reviews with specific factual details rather than template language, which suggests active engagement rather than reputation management.
Jim Milne (owner, restorer — overwhelmingly positive across nearly all reviews). Also referred to as James, James Milne, and Big Jim.
If you hire Big Dog, you are hiring Jim Milne. Ask for a free virtual consultation first and send photos so he can give you an honest read before scheduling a visit. Since he does both testing and remediation, consider getting an independent mold assessment if the scope of work is large. For water damage and straightforward mold jobs in the El Dorado Hills area, the track record is hard to argue with.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation, which creates a conflict of interest. The same person assessing your mold problem profits from the remediation work. Ask about getting an independent test before they scope a remediation job.
- This is essentially a one-person operation. Jim handles most work personally, which means scheduling depends on his availability. Multiple reviews mention he fit them in despite being busy, but expect limited capacity during peak demand.
- Their pricing for carpet cleaning runs higher than budget competitors. They charge by the square foot based on soil level, and multiple reviewers noted the quotes were above average. The results get praised, but set your price expectations accordingly.
- The service area lists seven cities across El Dorado and Sacramento counties. For a solo operator, the outer edges of that range may mean longer response times.