Provider profile
Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore
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What this listing says
North Shore homeowners from Lake Bluff to Highland Park dealing with water damage, basement flooding, or mold after a leak — a franchise location with 24/7 response and a perfect 5.0-star rating across 50 reviews.
Best for
- North Shore homeowners dealing with sudden water damage from burst pipes, sump pump failures, or basement flooding who need same-day response.
- Property managers and insurance agents in the Glenview-to-Lake Forest corridor who need a reliable restoration referral partner.
- Homeowners who discovered mold after a water event and want one company to handle both the water damage and the mold remediation.
- Condo owners dealing with water damage from a unit above — reviewers specifically describe this scenario with positive outcomes.
- Anyone needing sewage backup cleanup on the North Shore, including tree-root-caused sewer issues.
About this company
Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore is a franchise location based in Lake Bluff, Illinois, serving the North Shore suburbs including Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Northbrook, and Highwood. Their primary business is water damage restoration, but they also handle mold remediation, fire damage, and sewage cleanup. They operate 24/7 and work directly with insurance carriers.
The franchise changed ownership in recent years. Earlier reviews reference Kevin Ramirez as the main point of contact, while a 2025 review notes Paul and Jose as the new owners. The transition appears smooth — reviewers praise the same fast response and hands-on communication under both ownership groups. Multiple reviews come from insurance agents and property managers who refer clients to the company, which suggests a strong referral network in the local real estate community.
Restoration 1 is a national franchise brand — the largest independent restoration company in the country, per their website. This location is locally owned within that framework. The website mentions IICRC certification for their technicians and lists franchise opportunities, so buyers should understand they are hiring a franchise operator, not an independent shop.
A 5.0-star rating across 50 Google reviews is unusual. No reviewer in the dataset left fewer than 5 stars. That kind of consistency across five years of reviews, including multiple Local Guide reviewers with high review counts, is a genuinely strong signal.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Lake Bluff, Illinois. They specifically list service to Highwood, Glenview, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Highland Park, and Northbrook. Reviews confirm jobs in Northbrook and the broader North Shore area. The website brands the territory as "Chicago North Shore" but the named cities are concentrated in a roughly 15-mile corridor along the lakefront.
Review consensus
Fast response time is the most consistent theme — multiple reviewers describe same-day or next-morning arrival, and one reviewer reports a 2:30 AM call answered with a crew on-site by 4:00 AM. Kevin Ramirez (referenced in at least 8 reviews) draws praise for responsiveness and direct communication. Paul and his team are praised in more recent reviews for fast emergency response and clear explanations. Alberto is noted for clear communication and good work. Jason appears in multiple reviews for hands-on restoration work. Several reviewers are insurance agents and property managers who refer their own clients, which is a meaningful endorsement. Reviewers also highlight the company's willingness to work with insurance companies and help navigate claims.
0 found across 50 total reviews at 5.0★. No one-star or negative reviews were found in the last 18 months. Across the full 50-review dataset at 5.0 stars, there are zero reviews below 5 stars.
The review base includes a notable number of referral sources — insurance agents, property managers, and flooring companies — who recommend this company to their own clients. This is an unusual pattern that suggests the company has earned trust within the local contractor and insurance network, not just among individual homeowners. The ownership transition from Kevin Ramirez to Paul and Jose appears seamless in the reviews, with no drop in service quality reported.
Kevin Ramirez (owner/manager — positive, referenced in 8+ reviews for responsiveness and communication). Paul (new co-owner — positive, praised for fast response and clear recommendations). Jose (new co-owner — positive, mentioned alongside Paul). Alberto (technician — positive, praised for clear explanations and quality work). Beto (technician — positive, praised for attentiveness). Mario C (technician — positive). Mario (technician — positive). John (technician — positive, praised for clear explanations). Larry (technician/inspector — positive, praised for knowledge and honest assessments). Jason (technician — positive, praised across multiple reviews for restoration work and communication). Mike/Mike L (technician/estimator — positive, praised for responsiveness, odor identification, and crew leadership). Quan (technician — positive, praised for staying until the job was done). Arnold (technician — positive, praised for helping with insurance and condo association). Nick (technician — positive). Shawn (technician — positive).
This is a well-reviewed franchise operation with a deep bench of named technicians and strong referral relationships with local insurance agents and property managers. Ask for Paul or Kevin by name when you call. Because they handle both testing and remediation, get an independent mold assessment if mold is your primary concern — but for water damage emergencies, the review evidence strongly supports their speed and reliability.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation, which is a conflict of interest. The same company that tells you whether you have a mold problem also profits from fixing it. Ask whether they will accept a third-party mold inspection, or consider getting an independent test before committing to remediation.
- This is a Restoration 1 franchise location, not an independent company. Franchise operations can vary in quality depending on local ownership, and the franchise recently changed hands from Kevin Ramirez to Paul and Jose.
- Their service area lists six North Shore suburbs, but the website claims broader "Chicago North Shore" coverage. Confirm response times for your specific location before booking.
- With a perfect 5.0 rating and no negative reviews, there is no independent complaint data to evaluate. Ask for references from jobs similar to yours.
- Their website is mostly national franchise content rather than location-specific detail. You will not find much information about this specific team's equipment or methods on the site.