Provider profile
Certified Restoration
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
San Diego homeowners and property managers facing water damage or mold who want a family-owned restoration company with 30 years of local experience and direct insurance billing.
Best for
- San Diego County homeowners dealing with water damage or mold who need same-day emergency response and want a company that handles insurance claims directly.
- Property managers and HOAs overseeing multifamily buildings where water damage from shared plumbing or unit-to-unit leaks requires a company experienced in multi-unit coordination.
- Commercial property owners — including government facilities and healthcare establishments — needing a restoration company with Emergency Preparedness Plan services and smart leak detection sensors.
- Homeowners who discovered mold during a remodel or after a leak and want inspection, remediation, and reconstruction handled by one company.
- Anyone dealing with sewage backup or biohazard situations in San Diego who needs immediate 24/7 dispatch.
About this company
Certified Restoration is a San Diego restoration company owned by brothers Michael and George Fahouris, operating out of the City Heights neighborhood on Poplar Street. They handle water damage, mold remediation, fire damage, sewage cleanup, and biohazard work for both residential and commercial properties. They do their own mold inspections and remediation, which is worth noting as a potential conflict of interest.
Their equipment list is specific: infrared cameras, moisture meters, submersible pumps, commercial air movers, wood floor air mats, and dehumidifiers. Their mold process includes containment, EPA-approved antimicrobial treatment, wire-brushing of wood framing to remove mold roots, and post-remediation air sampling. They also offer smart water leak detection sensors for commercial clients and Emergency Preparedness Plan services — both uncommon for a company this size.
Michael and George have been running this operation for over 30 years. The team is sizable — multiple IICRC-credentialed project managers and technicians, including Tad (nearly 15 years with the company), Bryan (11+ IICRC certifications), Jesus (12+ years in restoration), and David (30+ years in the industry). They hold a general contractor's license (#923747) and carry BBB A+ accreditation, RIA membership, and CACM membership, which signals a focus on the property management and multifamily market.
4.9 stars across 214 Google reviews is genuinely strong. Only 2 one-star reviews have appeared in the last 18 months. That ratio — at this review volume — puts them among the highest-rated restoration companies in the San Diego market.
Services
Service area
Headquartered at 4124 Poplar Street in San Diego's City Heights neighborhood. They serve San Diego County and claim to have helped 243+ homes across the county in the last 12 months. Reviews confirm jobs in La Mesa, North Park, and various condo and multifamily communities throughout the San Diego metro area.
Review consensus
Speed and availability are the dominant themes. Reviewers consistently describe same-day and weekend dispatch, often within an hour. Tad is the most frequently named staff member — praised for scheduling on short notice, clear communication, and hands-on project management. Bryan and Isaiah are frequently mentioned together as a responsive field team. Michael, the owner, gets personal mentions for answering weekend calls and guiding anxious homeowners through the process. Jesus draws praise for honest assessments and working well with insurance companies. Multiple reviewers specifically note the company did not overcharge or upsell compared to competitors — Kerri Samuel described getting quotes thousands of dollars less than two other companies.
2 found across 214 total reviews at 4.9★. Two complaints tell different stories. One reviewer (pali, October 2025) reported reckless driving by a company vehicle — the owner responded asking for the plate number, which suggests willingness to follow up but the complaint was about off-site behavior, not service quality. The second (Todd Bell, February 2025) is more substantive: Bryan's team performed crawlspace mold remediation that resulted in toxic chemical exposure that persisted for weeks, causing ongoing health issues. The reviewer had to hire a different company to remedy the situation. The owner's response acknowledged the unfavorable outcome but did not address the chemical exposure concern specifically. This one is worth reading carefully if you have a crawlspace project.
The review profile skews heavily positive in a way that correlates with the owner's direct involvement. Michael personally responds to emergencies on weekends and holidays — multiple reviewers describe him answering calls on Saturdays, the day before Thanksgiving, and during fire emergencies. This hands-on ownership style creates strong word-of-mouth. The two negatives stand out precisely because they are so rare: one is a driving complaint with no service interaction, and the other is a legitimate technical concern about chemical application in confined spaces. The owner responds to 100% of negative reviews, though the responses lean toward generic sympathy rather than detailed engagement with the specific complaint.
Michael (owner — overwhelmingly positive, praised for personal attention and weekend availability). Tad (project manager — overwhelmingly positive, praised for communication, scheduling, and responsiveness). Bryan (lead technician — mostly positive for quality work and friendliness, but named in one negative for crawlspace chemical exposure issue). Isaiah (technician — positive, praised as reliable field partner often paired with Bryan). Jesus (project manager — positive, praised for honest assessments and insurance coordination). Tomas/Thomas (estimator — positive, praised for after-hours help and clear estimates). Luis (technician — positive). Ulises (technician — positive).
Ask for Tad or Michael to manage your project — they are the most consistently praised for communication and follow-through. If you have a crawlspace job, discuss the chemical treatment plan in detail before work begins, and ask whether temporary relocation is advisable. Get an independent mold test before agreeing to their remediation scope.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. This is a conflict of interest — the company doing the testing has a financial incentive to find problems it can then fix. Consider getting an independent mold inspection before committing to remediation.
- One recent reviewer reported lingering chemical exposure symptoms after crawlspace mold treatment. If you have a crawlspace job, ask specifically what chemicals they plan to use, how long fumes may persist, and whether you should vacate during and after treatment.
- Their primary identity is water damage restoration — mold remediation is one of several services. If mold is your only issue and it is not tied to water damage, confirm the assigned crew has specific mold remediation credentials.
- They serve all of San Diego County and claim 60-minute response times. Confirm response time estimates for locations farther from their City Heights headquarters.