Provider profile
Daystar Cleaning & Restoration
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Panama City homeowners dealing with water damage or mold who want a family-run firm with 40 years of local history and IICRC credentials handling both cleanup and restoration.
Best for
- Panama City and Bay County homeowners needing water damage or mold removal from a single company that handles both, with 24/7 emergency response.
- Owners of oriental or fine area rugs who want in-plant cleaning with a dedicated 9-step wash process rather than on-site steam cleaning.
- Commercial property managers in the Panama City area who need ongoing janitorial, carpet, or hard floor maintenance from one vendor.
- Homeowners who want to request a specific technician by name and get the same person on repeat visits.
About this company
Daystar Cleaning & Restoration is a family-owned operation based in Panama City, Florida, that spans residential cleaning, commercial janitorial work, and full-scale restoration. Mold removal is one piece of a much broader business that includes water damage, fire and smoke damage, sewage cleanup, carpet cleaning, pressure washing, and oriental rug care. Steve Ransom holds a Florida state mold remediator certification and IICRC credentials in water damage restoration, applied structural drying, and several cleaning specialties. His son Matthew now manages the restoration side.
On the mold front, Daystar explicitly addresses Florida's requirement that testing and remediation be done by separate parties. Their website states they contract with an independent mold inspector before starting remediation and bring in an independent testing company for clearance afterward. They set up containments during removal to prevent spread. That said, they coordinate the entire process, so you are relying on their choice of inspector.
Steve and Judy Ransom started the business in Birmingham, Alabama in 1983 as a janitorial service, relocated to the Panama City area in 1986, and have been there since. The company emphasizes long employee tenure, claiming an average of ten years per team member, with some staff at two decades. They are active in local organizations including Panama City Beach Rotary and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.
4.8 stars across 337 Google reviews is a strong showing for a company with this breadth of services. Most of the recent praise centers on specific technicians by name, which suggests consistent staffing rather than a revolving door of subcontractors.
Services
Service area
Headquartered at 1814 Beck Avenue in Panama City, Florida. Their website states they serve Panama City, Bay County, South Walton County, and surrounding areas. Review evidence confirms work in Panama City, Panama City Beach, and the broader Bay County area.
Review consensus
Josh is the most frequently named technician, drawing praise for carpet cleaning, upholstery work, tile and grout deep cleaning, and travertine restoration. Multiple reviewers specifically request him on repeat visits. Matthew gets called out for hands-on mold remediation and water damage response, with one reviewer noting he personally guided a remodeling timeline and another describing how he and Danny built mold containments and removed damaged materials. Lisa and Natasha are praised as a house cleaning team for attention to detail and sensitivity to a child's skin issues. Danny and Daniel appear in several positive reviews for restoration and furniture cleaning work. The company draws repeat business from property managers and vacation rental owners who send Daystar to all their units.
3 found across 337 total reviews at 4.8★. 3 found across 337 total reviews at 4.8★. A 1-star reviewer called on a Saturday evening and was immediately told "we are closed" and hung up on before finishing a sentence. He had 12 large area rugs to clean. The owner (Matt Ransom) responded explaining it was the company Christmas party and invited the caller back, offering a direct line to him. A 2-star reviewer said the carpet tech finished four bedrooms in 30 minutes and the carpets looked barely cleaned. Daystar sent the tech back at no charge, but the reviewer remained unsatisfied. The owner response acknowledged the concern and cited their re-clean guarantee. A 3-star reviewer with 12 prior Google reviews said only "very expensive." The owner apologized and asked her to call for a resolution. Each complaint is a different issue with no repeated pattern across the three.
Owner responses appear on 100% of recent negative reviews, and each is personalized rather than templated. Matt Ransom signs the most detailed response by name and offers his direct line. The responses acknowledge the issue and cite specific guarantees rather than deflecting. This is a company that actively manages its reputation with substance, not boilerplate.
Josh/Joshua (carpet, upholstery, tile, travertine technician — consistently positive, most-named employee). Matthew/Matt Ransom (restoration manager, mold and water damage lead — consistently positive, personally responds to negative reviews). Danny/Daniel (restoration and cleaning technician — positive). Lisa (house cleaning — positive). Natasha (house cleaning — positive). Felicia (cleaning crew — positive). Robert (cleaning crew — positive).
Ask for Josh if you need carpet, upholstery, or floor work. Ask for Matthew if you have mold or water damage. Get a written estimate upfront since pricing runs above average for the area. If you call after hours and get a poor reception, try again during business hours or email directly.
Keep in mind
- Daystar does both mold testing coordination and mold remediation. They say they contract independent inspectors for pre-work assessment and post-work clearance, but you should confirm the inspector has no financial relationship with Daystar and request to see their credentials independently.
- Several reviewers mention pricing is higher than competitors. One 3-star review simply said "very expensive," and a 4-star reviewer noted the cost but said it was worth it. Get a written estimate before work begins.
- One reviewer reported a carpet cleaning job that felt rushed, with the technician finishing four bedrooms in 30 minutes. Daystar sent the same tech back at no charge under their guarantee, but the reviewer was still unsatisfied. Ask how long a typical cleaning takes for your square footage.
- Their service list is broad, from window cleaning to fire damage restoration. Mold removal is one of many services, not their sole focus. Ask how many mold jobs they handle per month and who specifically will do the work.