Provider profile
Lightning Restoration
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Tampa Bay homeowners dealing with water damage that has led to mold, where a single company handling both mitigation and remediation under one roof with insurance claims assistance matters.
Best for
- Tampa Bay homeowners who need water damage mitigation and mold remediation handled by one company with insurance claims support.
- Property owners dealing with post-storm or post-leak situations who need 24/7 emergency response across the greater Tampa Bay area.
- New construction builders needing mold treatment on exposed framing through the BioClenz process instead of soda blasting.
- Commercial property managers and insurance agents looking for a multi-location restoration firm with documented post-remediation clearance rates.
- Homeowners facing biohazard or hoarding situations where the crew holds DOH credentials and sensitivity training.
About this company
Lightning Restoration is a full-service restoration company headquartered in Odessa, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay area across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties. They handle water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, biohazard cleanup, and storm-related board-up and tarping. Owner Scott DeMalteris founded the company in 2006, and it has since expanded to four Florida offices (Tampa, Sarasota, Winter Haven, Fort Myers) plus one in Arden, North Carolina.
What stands out is how they handle the full water-to-mold chain. They do leak detection, water mitigation, and then mold remediation under one roof, which is convenient but creates a conflict of interest worth understanding. They hold IICRC firm certification and Florida state mold remediation licensing. Their mold page describes containment procedures, HEPA filtration cleaning, negative air pressure, and borescope inner-wall inspections. They also offer a proprietary "BioClenz" process for treating mold on exposed wood framing during new construction -- a three-step alternative to soda blasting that leaves a protective film for up to 90 days. Their biohazard division handles hoarding, crime scene, and trauma cleanup with DOH licensing and pollution insurance.
The company has been operating for 20 years and maintains relationships with insurance carriers, property managers, and environmental consultants. Industry testimonials on their website reference working relationships with Indoor Environmental Technologies and Hydro-Logic Associates for post-remediation verification, suggesting they coordinate with third-party assessors on at least some projects.
4.9 stars across 209 Google reviews is unusually strong. The volume and consistency suggest a company that has figured out the customer experience side of restoration work, particularly around communication during stressful situations.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Odessa, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay area including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties. Additional offices in Sarasota, Winter Haven, and Fort Myers, Florida, plus Arden, North Carolina. The four-office Florida footprint covers a large swath of the state, so confirm crew assignment and travel charges for jobs outside the Tampa Bay metro.
Review consensus
Jordan is the standout name, appearing in roughly 30 of the recent reviews. Reviewers consistently praise his communication, professionalism, and ability to explain the process step by step. Adrian pairs with Jordan frequently and draws similar praise for knowledge and thoroughness. Felix gets called out for going above and beyond, and Ryan earns mentions for leak detection and efficiency. Tim/Timothy works alongside Jordan on water intrusion jobs and reviewers note their teamwork. Nick and William are praised for mold removal and re-insulation work. The most common themes across all reviews: fast response times, clear communication during the process, and clean job sites.
1 found across 209 total reviews at 4.9★. The single complaint details a billing dispute over a washer leak that led to mold. The reviewer says the company charged $4,897 and classified the work as a Level 3 (biohazard) cleanup rather than a Level 1 water loss, and that they would not negotiate pricing with the insurance company's third-party adjuster. She also reported the front desk staff as rude. The owner's response was detailed and substantive, disputing the emergency fee claim, noting 350+ photos were taken, and explaining that pricing followed industry-standard estimating software. The owner also reframed the insurance dispute as being between the homeowner and GEICO, not a refusal to cooperate. Both sides make specific factual claims that contradict each other on billing details.
This is a restoration company where mold remediation is one service among many, not a mold-only specialist. Most reviews reference water damage situations (leaks, floods, AC failures) where mold remediation followed as a secondary service. The company appears to have strong field technicians -- Jordan in particular functions as the face of the operation -- but the one negative review suggests the billing and office side may not match the field experience. The owner responded to the single negative with a lengthy, specific rebuttal rather than a template, which shows active reputation management and willingness to engage on the merits.
Jordan (technician -- overwhelmingly positive, mentioned in ~30 reviews for communication and professionalism). Adrian (technician -- positive, frequently paired with Jordan, praised for knowledge). Felix (technician -- positive, praised for going above and beyond). Ryan (technician -- positive, praised for leak detection and efficiency). Tim/Timothy (technician -- positive, paired with Jordan on water jobs). Chris/Christian (technician -- positive, praised for finding leak sources). Nick (technician -- positive, praised for mold removal). William (technician -- positive, praised for professionalism on new-build plumbing issues). Jason (technician -- positive, praised for knowledge and transparency). Keith (technician -- positive, mentioned once). Thad (technician -- positive, mentioned once for fast response). Carlos (technician -- positive, mentioned once for drywall knowledge). Scott (owner -- positive in website testimonials, described as polite and understanding in the negative review). Mildred Lugo (office staff -- positive, mentioned in one website testimonial for efficiency).
Ask for Jordan if you can -- he is by far the most praised technician and reviewers consistently credit him for clear communication and careful work. Get your pricing category and scope in writing before demolition begins, especially if you are going through insurance. The one negative review suggests the billing classification can significantly affect your out-of-pocket cost.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. The same company that tells you how bad your mold problem is also profits from the remediation work. Ask whether they will accept a scope of work written by an independent assessor you hire separately.
- One recent reviewer described a billing dispute where the company allegedly classified a water-related mold job as a Level 3 (biohazard) cleanup, resulting in a bill nearly $5,000. The owner's response disputed several of the reviewer's claims and pointed to industry-standard estimating software. Get your scope and pricing category in writing before work begins.
- Their service area is broad -- five offices across Florida plus North Carolina. Confirm which office and crew will handle your job and whether travel charges apply.
- They offer free evaluations, but the website does not clarify whether those evaluations include moisture readings or air sampling, or just a visual walk-through. Clarify what the evaluation covers before scheduling.