Provider profile
First Response Services
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Central Georgia homeowners who want one contractor from water extraction through mold cleanup and full reconstruction, backed by an owner who shows up on-site.
Best for
- Warner Robins, Macon, and Perry homeowners dealing with water damage who want one company to handle extraction, drying, and full repairs.
- Property owners facing mold after a water event who need containment, remediation, and reconstruction under one contract.
- Homeowners who want the company owner personally involved in their project rather than dealing only with rotating crews.
- Insurance claimants who need a restoration company that will document damage and coordinate directly with their adjuster.
- Military families near Robins AFB — multiple reviewers mention USAA coordination and recommend the company to military peers.
About this company
First Response Services is a family-owned restoration company based in Warner Robins, GA, serving the Central Georgia corridor from Macon to Eastman. Owner Dale Richmond runs the operation hands-on — multiple reviewers note he personally visits job sites and communicates directly with homeowners throughout the project. The company holds a general contractor license, which means they handle everything from emergency water extraction through full reconstruction without subcontracting.
What stands out is the single-contractor model. Most restoration companies hand off repairs to a separate builder once the mitigation phase ends. First Response keeps the entire job in-house, including flooring installation and kitchen or bathroom remodels. Their mold page describes a process that includes containment setup and air scrubbers, and their technicians hold IICRC certifications. They also operate a physical remodeling showroom in Warner Robins.
Dale Richmond has been in the construction and restoration industry for decades. The company has deep community ties — they are members of both the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce and the Robins Regional Chamber, and Dale has partnered with the Warner Robins Fire Department on Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising.
4.8 stars across 137 Google reviews is unusually strong for a restoration company. Zero negative reviews in the last 18 months reinforces that this rating reflects current operations, not legacy goodwill. Repeat customers appear frequently in the review history, with several noting they have used First Response two or three times.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Warner Robins, GA. Serves the Central Georgia / Middle Georgia region including Macon, Perry, Byron, Cochran, Eastman, Fort Valley, Hawkinsville, and Powersville. The listed area spans roughly 60 miles, so response times will vary outside the immediate Warner Robins-Macon corridor.
Review consensus
Dale Richmond draws the most mentions — reviewers describe him as personally present on jobs, communicating throughout lengthy projects, and helping homeowners weigh repair options rather than defaulting to the fastest fix. Anthony Dove gets called out for going beyond basic service. Arlene handles insurance coordination and adjuster communication, with one reviewer crediting her for staying on top of the adjuster. Aaron Cowels receives praise for flooring workmanship and attention to detail. Travis appears in multiple reviews as part of the field crew. Spencer Harrson is noted for walking customers through each step. Reviewers consistently highlight two operational strengths: the team answers their phones (unusual in restoration), and they show up when they say they will.
0 found across 137 total reviews at 4.8★. No 1-star reviews exist in the last 18 months. The review record visible in this window contains no complaints to analyze.
The review base includes a cluster of text-free 5-star reviews from May 2024, several from zero-review accounts. This is not unusual for a company that asks satisfied customers to leave a rating, but it means the written reviews carry more analytical weight than the star average alone. The written reviews themselves show a pattern of repeat customers — at least four reviewers mention using First Response more than once, which is a strong retention signal for a disaster restoration company where repeat business is rare.
Dale Richmond (owner — consistently praised for hands-on involvement and communication). Anthony Dove (field technician — praised for knowledge and going beyond basics). Arlene (office/insurance coordination — praised for adjuster follow-up). Aaron Cowels (field — praised for flooring workmanship and detail). Travis (field crew — praised across multiple reviews). Spencer Harrson (field — praised for walking customers through each step). Jonathan (insurance communication — praised for coordinating with USAA). Caleb (field crew — positive mention). Janet (support — positive mention). Josh Young (field — positive mention). Hayden (field — positive mention). Gabe (field — positive mention). Del (field — positive mention).
This is a strong-reputation restoration company with an owner who stays involved in individual jobs. Ask for Dale or Anthony on your project. The zero-negative-review streak over 18 months is rare in restoration — but still get an independent mold assessment if mold is your primary concern, since they both test and remediate.
Keep in mind
- First Response does both mold testing and mold remediation. This creates a conflict of interest — the company assessing your mold problem also profits from fixing it. Consider getting an independent mold inspection before committing to their remediation scope.
- Their primary identity is water and fire restoration, not mold. Mold work typically follows a water damage event rather than being a standalone service.
- The service area list includes towns spread across a wide stretch of Central Georgia — Cochran, Eastman, and Hawkinsville are 45-60 minutes from Warner Robins. Ask about response times if you are outside the immediate Warner Robins-Macon corridor.
- The website is built by a restoration industry marketing company and uses some boilerplate language. The actual customer reviews are more informative about what to expect than the website copy.