Provider profile
Rytech Restoration of Lee & Collier Counties
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Lee and Collier County homeowners facing water damage that has led to mold, where owner Jon Lavender holds both a mold remediation and mold assessor license and handles insurance billing directly.
Best for
- Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and Bonita Springs homeowners dealing with water damage that has turned into mold growth, where one company handles extraction through remediation
- Insurance-driven mold claims where you want the restoration company to communicate directly with your adjuster and bill the carrier
- Commercial properties in Lee and Collier counties needing mold remediation or decontamination with minimal downtime
- After-hours water emergencies where you need someone on-site within a few hours, with the equipment to start drying immediately
- Condo owners in Southwest Florida dealing with water intrusion from neighboring units, a scenario multiple reviewers describe
About this company
Rytech Restoration of Lee & Collier Counties operates out of Fort Myers, Florida, covering Lee, Collier, and Hendry counties. They are a franchise location of the national Rytech brand, which handles over 20,000 claims annually across its network. Owner Jon K. Lavender runs this location with Operations Manager Alex Lavender. Their primary work is water damage restoration, but they run a full mold operation including inspection, testing, remediation, and containment for both residential and commercial properties.
Jon Lavender brings an unusual background to restoration. He started as a Large Loss Adjuster for a national insurance carrier, then built two restoration companies — one in Pennsylvania, one in Southwest Florida — before merging the Florida operation with Rytech. He holds a Florida mold remediation license (MRSR1039), a mold assessor license (MRSA987), a general contractor license (CGC1520497), and an independent adjuster license. That combination means he can assess mold, remediate it, and handle insurance claims from both sides of the table. The website references IICRC certification at the firm level and mentions containment procedures, dehumidification, and structural drying. They also offer fire damage restoration, sewage removal, odor removal, and decontamination services.
Rytech is a member of the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the Restoration Industry Association, and the Florida Assisted Living Association. They are listed as a preferred provider with the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Jon claims over 20 years of experience in restoration and insurance.
A 4.9 rating across 75 Google reviews is strong. Nearly every review is five stars, and the consistent themes are fast emergency response, direct insurance coordination, and courtesy from the field crews.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida at 2149 Andrea Lane. Serves Lee County, Collier County, and Hendry County. Specific cities include Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Lehigh Acres, Marco Island, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Immokalee, Labelle, and Clewiston. The website lists 40+ cities and over 100 zip codes spanning from Everglades City to Clewiston. Confirm response times for locations outside the Fort Myers and Naples core.
Review consensus
Jon Lavender draws praise as the hands-on owner who handles insurance companies directly, with one reviewer (vikki mattras) specifically thanking him for dealing with their adjuster. Alex Lavender gets repeat mentions for responsiveness and coordination, with reviewers like Marius P. and Victoria Postle singling out his communication. Michelle earns praise for office support, insurance liaison work, and even helping a customer pack belongings during a flood (Emilyne Antoine). Dustin is named twice for moisture detection and quick on-site response (Doug Smith, Cindy P). Troy and Javier drew praise for mold remediation fieldwork. George and Alwin are praised for knowledge and helpfulness (Sam Glam). Morgan is noted for communication (Wendy Smith). Megan is called out for responsiveness and insurance coordination (Tony Johnson). Reviewers consistently highlight same-day or same-night response, direct insurance billing, and crews that explain the process as they work.
1 found across 75 total reviews at 4.9★. 1 found across 75 total reviews at 4.9 stars. Isabella Rasi left a 1-star review on June 5, 2026, with no text and no owner response. She has 2 total Google reviews and is not a Local Guide. With no details and zero likes, this complaint provides no actionable information about the company's service. The owner did not respond.
A cluster of 12 five-star reviews appeared on June 19, 2024, many with generic praise and no specific project details. Some are from accounts with very few reviews. This looks like an organized review push. It does not mean the reviews are fake, but buyers should weight the detailed reviews from other dates more heavily. The owner response rate on the single recent negative is 0%, so there is no data on how the company handles complaints publicly.
Jon Lavender (owner — positive, praised for insurance handling, personal involvement, and restoration knowledge). Alex Lavender (operations manager — positive, praised for responsiveness, coordination, and communication). Amy (office staff — positive, praised for scheduling, upgrade selections, and insurance expertise). Michelle (office staff — positive, praised for insurance liaison, adjuster communication, and personally helping a customer pack during a flood). Dustin (field technician — positive, praised twice for moisture detection and same-day response). Troy (field technician — positive, praised for mold remediation work). Javier (field technician — positive, praised for mold remediation work). George (field technician — positive, praised for knowledge and helpfulness). Alwin (field technician — positive, praised alongside George). Morgan (field technician — positive, praised for communication). Megan (staff — positive, praised for responsiveness and insurance coordination). Danny (technician referenced by reviewer Hoat Jaden — positive, praised for knowledge and working around schedule).
Ask for Jon or Alex directly if you need fast emergency response or help navigating an insurance claim. Before agreeing to mold remediation, get a separate mold assessment from an independent inspector since Rytech does both testing and remediation. The review history is strong on water damage work, but if you need mold-specific experience, ask for references from recent mold jobs at this location.
Keep in mind
- Rytech does both mold testing and mold remediation. Jon Lavender holds both a mold assessor and mold remediation license. This is a conflict of interest: the same company diagnosing your mold problem profits from the remediation work. Get an independent mold assessment before committing.
- Jon Lavender also holds an independent adjuster license. While reviewers praise his insurance handling, his ability to function as both contractor and adjuster creates a dual-role dynamic worth understanding before signing.
- This is a franchise location of the national Rytech brand. The website's claim of responding to over 20,000 claims annually refers to the entire Rytech network, not this Fort Myers office.
- The service area spans three counties and lists 40+ cities from Everglades City to Clewiston. Confirm response times if you are outside the Fort Myers or Naples core.
- Most reviews describe water damage work. Only a handful specifically mention mold remediation. The mold-specific track record at this location is thinner than the overall review count suggests.