Provider profile
The Restoration Company Inc./ TRC
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Waukegan-area homeowners dealing with mold discovered after water damage, where the same crew that dried the structure can handle remediation and rebuild under one insurance claim.
Best for
- Waukegan and northern Lake County homeowners who need mold remediation tied to water damage, where one contractor can handle the full chain from drying to rebuild.
- Property owners dealing with mold and lead contamination in the same structure, since TRC holds both mold and lead abatement licenses.
- Insurance claim situations where you want the restoration company to bill your insurer directly and coordinate with adjusters.
- Commercial property managers in northern Illinois needing large-loss disaster restoration that includes mold work as part of a bigger recovery project.
About this company
The Restoration Company (TRC) operates out of Waukegan, Illinois, as a full-service disaster restoration firm that treats mold remediation as one piece of a larger property recovery operation. Owner Matt Marcinkus runs the company under MARCON, Inc., with phone lines in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida. Mold work here sits alongside water damage restoration, fire and smoke cleanup, lead abatement, and general contracting — they position themselves as a single point of contact from emergency response through final rebuild.
What stands out is the breadth of licensing. TRC holds both a Mold Assessor and Mold Remediator license (MRSR3799) in Florida, a Lead Abatement Contractor license in Illinois, and IICRC credentials in water restoration (WRT), applied structural drying (ASD), trauma scene (TCST), fire and smoke (FSRT), and applied microbial remediation (AMRT). Their mold remediation page describes using HEPA filtration and antimicrobial treatments, and their structural drying page details infrared cameras, industrial air movers, and commercial-grade dehumidifiers with daily moisture monitoring. They also bill insurance companies directly, which means they handle the claims paperwork rather than leaving it to you.
Matt Marcinkus shows up repeatedly in reviews spanning fire damage, water damage, basement flooding, and commercial reconstruction. Reviewers describe him as hands-on and available by phone. One reviewer (frieda anderson) noted nearly 10 years as a repeat customer for both large and small projects. The company handles commercial work too — Dan Ezell described a restaurant reconstruction after a fire, and Joseph Baldwin referenced major flooding at a commercial shop.
4.8 stars across 71 Google reviews is a strong number. The positive reviews cluster around responsiveness, clean job sites, and Matt's direct involvement in projects. The small number of negatives center on the company's estimating process rather than workmanship — a distinction worth noting.
Services
Service area
TRC is headquartered at 3203 Sunset Ave in Waukegan, Illinois, with additional phone lines for Wisconsin and Florida (a Florida general contractor license confirms operations there). The Illinois operation covers the northern suburbs and Lake County. Confirm crew availability for locations outside the immediate Waukegan area, as the multi-state footprint may mean variable response times depending on where your property is.
Review consensus
Matt Marcinkus appears by name in the majority of positive reviews, praised for staying involved from assessment through completion, answering questions directly, and keeping projects on budget. Multiple reviewers mention his trustworthiness during stressful situations — Melissa Parker credited him with reducing stress after a house fire, and Cass Lyan described him as "family." Cassandra draws praise for office organization and keeping customers informed with timely calls (Minbazi5551). Keith Zupec and Gene Smith both highlighted crew professionalism, clean job sites, and strong workmanship on water damage repairs. Several reviewers are repeat or referral customers — frieda anderson noted nearly 10 years of working with the company, and William Behrens referred a client after his own positive experience.
2 found across 71 total reviews at 4.8★. One driving complaint with no connection to service quality: Evan Lorenz (2 total reviews, not a Local Guide) reported a TRC van driving aggressively on I-94. The substantive complaint came from Jennifer Leeds (37 reviews, Local Guide, 1 like), who said the office could not confirm whether mold remediation included a warranty and that the company refused to provide a pre-work estimate, instead saying costs would be discussed during the job. The owner responded two weeks later, apologizing for the confusion and acknowledging the importance of cost transparency, but did not explain why an estimate was not offered. A 2-star review from A Aboud described difficult dealings and late completion, but the owner responded the same day saying they had no record of work performed under that name — the reviewer has only 2 total reviews and no Local Guide status, which adds some uncertainty.
The estimating process complaint from Jennifer Leeds points to a structural issue: TRC's workflow is built around insurance claims, where the adjuster and contractor negotiate scope and pricing. That process can leave out-of-pocket buyers feeling blindsided. The owner's response acknowledged the problem without offering a concrete fix. The owner response pattern is mixed — one personalized acknowledgment (Jennifer Leeds) and one factual pushback (A Aboud claiming no record of the customer), with no response at all to the driving complaint.
Matt Marcinkus (owner — praised repeatedly for hands-on management, trustworthiness, and clear communication across water, fire, and mold projects). Cassandra (office staff — praised for keeping work orders organized and making timely update calls). Kyle (field staff — praised by Charles Corder for knowing exactly what needed to be done).
TRC's strength is Matt Marcinkus's direct involvement and the company's ability to handle every phase of a disaster recovery under one roof. If your mold problem started with water damage and you want one contractor from drying through rebuild, this is a strong option. Get a written estimate upfront — especially if you are not going through insurance — and consider an independent mold assessment given that TRC holds both the testing and remediation licenses.
Keep in mind
- TRC holds both mold assessment and mold remediation licenses under the same number (MRSR3799). That means the company testing for mold is the same company that would get paid to remove it. Consider getting an independent mold test before committing to their remediation scope.
- One reviewer (Jennifer Leeds, Local Guide with 37 reviews) reported that TRC refused to provide an upfront estimate, saying they would discuss costs during the work. The owner's response acknowledged the confusion but framed their process as insurance-oriented. If you are paying out of pocket, pin down pricing before work begins.
- The company lists phone numbers in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida, which suggests a wide service territory. Confirm whether your location falls within their crew's regular coverage or would be treated as an outlier job.
- Mold remediation is one service among many here — not the core focus. Water damage, fire restoration, and general contracting appear to drive most of the review volume. Ask how frequently they take on standalone mold jobs versus mold discovered during other restoration work.