Provider profile
Time Machine Contracting & Restoration
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Orlando-area homeowners dealing with storm or water damage that has turned into a mold problem, where having one contractor handle dryout, remediation, and rebuild under one roof matters.
Best for
- Orlando and surrounding Orange County homeowners who need mold remediation tied to an existing water or storm damage event, handled by one contractor from dryout through rebuild.
- Homeowners in Winter Park, Maitland, Ocoee, Apopka, or Winter Garden who want a locally based restoration company with 24/7 emergency response.
- Buyers whose mold problem originated from a plumbing leak or roof leak and who want the moisture source corrected as part of the same scope of work.
- Anyone navigating an insurance claim for storm-related mold — the company works directly with adjusters and provides documentation for claims.
- Property owners who need reconstruction after mold remediation (drywall, flooring, cabinets) and want to avoid hiring a separate general contractor.
About this company
Time Machine Contracting & Restoration operates out of Orlando, FL, as a full-service restoration and general contracting company. Their primary identity is water and fire damage restoration, with mold remediation and removal as a core part of the damage pipeline rather than a standalone specialty. Owner Tim Machuca runs it as a family business with offices in Orange County, Lake County (Mount Dora), and Tavares.
What stands out is their two-phase model: one team handles the emergency mitigation (water extraction, drying, mold containment) and a second phase covers the reconstruction — drywall, flooring, cabinets, paint. They use HEPA air scrubbers, negative air pressure containment, antimicrobial treatments, and commercial dehumidification. For mold work specifically, they describe a seven-step process that includes moisture source correction before rebuilding. They also handle biohazard cleanup, wind and storm damage, and floor cleaning.
The company claims over 20 years of experience in Central Florida. IICRC certification is listed for both water and mold damage work. They are affiliated with ACAC, NORMI, and IAQA. Website testimonials reference hurricane Irma work and a deployment to Dallas during the 2021 Texas freeze, suggesting they chase storm work regionally.
At 4.7 stars across 103 Google reviews, the rating is solid. The volume spans several years and includes reviews from Local Guides and repeat customers. Most praise centers on Tim's personal involvement and rapid emergency response.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Orlando, FL (Orange County) with additional offices in Mount Dora (Lake County) and Tavares. The website lists service pages for Alafaya, Pine Hills, Maitland, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Apopka, Bay Lake, Lake Buena Vista, and Windermere. Reviews confirm work in Seminole County (Sanford area) and the company has deployed crews to Dallas, TX and Sarasota, FL for storm events — Central Florida is the home base.
Review consensus
Tim's personal involvement comes up repeatedly — reviewers describe him showing up same-day, walking them through insurance claims, and staying available by phone throughout projects. Eddie draws praise for demolition energy and thoroughness. Shane and Brian appear together in multiple 2024 reviews as a strong field team. Simon gets credit for daily follow-ups and clear communication during water damage drying. DeeDee, the Orlando office manager, is described as pleasant and helpful. Isabela handled a mold consultation. Fast response time is the most common theme — multiple reviewers mention same-day arrival. Several insurance-related reviews note the company handled adjuster communication and claim documentation.
3 found across 103 total reviews at 4.7★. Alberic Jemison (September 2025, Local Guide, 19 reviews) describes a billing dispute where the company demanded an additional $22,000 after final payment and placed a lien on the home. The owner response from DeeDee states insurance paid the invoice in full and offers to review paperwork, but does not directly address the lien claim. Jeff Barnlund (April 2025, 4 reviews) says the company agreed to a scope of work and start date for restoration after a plumbing leak, then their salesperson contacted the referring contractor the day before the start date to say they could no longer help due to west coast storm demand. Michael Hartford (February 2025, Local Guide, 39 reviews) hired Tim after a referral, says initial remediation was done but the company never filed building permits, causing weeks of inactivity and ultimately months of additional rental costs. No owner response was posted on two of the three complaints.
Two of three complaints share a structural theme: the company committed to a project, then failed to follow through — in one case chasing larger storm work, in the other failing to file permits. This is consistent with a restoration company that prioritizes emergency/insurance-driven jobs over smaller or self-pay commitments. The low owner response rate on negatives (1 of 3) and the single response that came from the office manager rather than Tim himself suggests negative reviews are not a priority. The one response was personalized and factual, not a template, but it sidestepped the core complaint about the lien.
Tim Machuca (owner — overwhelmingly positive), DeeDee (office manager — positive in reviews, responded to one negative), Eddie (field crew, demolition — positive), Shane (field technician — positive, multiple reviews), Brian (field technician, paired with Shane — positive), Simon (field technician, drying/follow-up — positive), Davon/Davin (field crew — positive), Isaiah (mold remediation — positive), Angel (mold remediation — positive), Isabela (consultation — positive), Carlos (field crew, mold — positive), Josh (field crew — positive), Christina (office/support — positive), Estevan (field crew — positive), Manny (field crew, mold — positive), Jose (field crew — positive), Frank Jr. (field crew — positive), Frank Sr. (field crew — positive), Todd (project manager — positive), Luis (field crew — positive), Nelson (field crew — positive).
Ask for Tim directly on your initial consultation — reviewers who worked with him consistently report strong outcomes and good insurance navigation. Confirm your start date, permit timeline, and project manager assignment in writing before signing. If your project is smaller or self-pay, press for a written commitment with penalties for delays, given the pattern of jobs being deprioritized.
Keep in mind
- Time Machine does both mold testing (inspection with moisture readings) and mold remediation. This is a conflict of interest — the same company that tells you what's wrong also sells you the fix. Ask for an independent mold assessment before committing to remediation.
- Three recent 1-star reviews describe a pattern of commitments not honored: one reviewer says the company abandoned their agreed-upon start date to chase storm work on the west coast; another says permits were never filed, causing months of delays and additional housing costs. These are credible reviewers (Local Guides with substantial review histories).
- The company operates three offices across Orange and Lake counties and has deployed to other states for storm work. During active hurricane season, their Orlando crews may be stretched thin or redirected.
- The website distinguishes between mold removal (surface cleaning) and mold remediation (full containment and source correction), but pricing and scope differences are not explained. Clarify which service you're getting before signing.