Provider profile
SCCS NWI
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Northwest Indiana homeowners dealing with mold after water damage who want an independent, family-run company with indoor air quality testing that goes beyond standard mold counts.
Best for
- Homeowners in Porter, Lake, or La Porte County dealing with mold discovered during a home inspection or real estate transaction.
- Families with allergy or respiratory concerns who want particle-level air quality testing, not just a mold count.
- Anyone needing fast turnaround on water damage cleanup, since the crew regularly responds within 24 hours including weekends.
- Buyers or sellers in NW Indiana who need mold remediation completed quickly to keep a real estate deal on track.
About this company
SCCS NWI is an independently owned restoration company based in Valparaiso, Indiana, run by Vinnie Nowarita and his family. Vinnie started the company in 2012 after his own sons got sick from mold caused by a hidden water leak in their home. That personal experience shaped the business: they handle mold remediation, water damage restoration, fire damage cleanup, and trauma/crime scene cleanup across Northwest Indiana.
What stands out is their air quality testing program. Instead of just counting mold, their testing identifies over 40 particle types including pollen, pet dander, fiberglass, and dust mites. Samples go to PriorityLab, an AIHA-accredited lab, with results typically back the next business day. They also offer a MoldSafe guarantee that covers up to $3,000 in removal costs if visible mold appears within 90 days of a clean test result.
The company is IICRC certified and not a franchise, which Vinnie emphasizes as a differentiator. His son Mick works on the crew alongside technicians like Alan, Brian, and Pete. Being family-operated with 14 years in business, they have built their reputation on personal involvement from the owner.
A perfect 5.0 rating across 70 Google reviews is unusual for any service company. The volume is modest but the consistency is notable, with reviewers repeatedly citing same-day or next-day response and Vinnie's willingness to take calls on evenings and weekends.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Valparaiso, Indiana. Serves Porter County (Valparaiso, Portage, Chesterton, Hebron, Wheeler, Kouts), Lake County (Crown Point, Merrillville, Hobart, Schererville, St. John, Munster, Hammond, Highland, Griffith, Cedar Lake, Dyer, Gary, Whiting), La Porte County (Michigan City, La Porte, Westville), and Jasper County (Demotte, Rensselaer, Remington, Wheatfield). The Jasper County reach is notable for a small company based in Valparaiso.
Review consensus
Vinnie's personal involvement is the most consistent theme. Reviewers describe him taking calls on evenings, weekends, and holidays, then showing up the next day with a crew. Mick (Vinnie's son) appears frequently as a field crew lead, praised for being efficient and respectful. Alan and Brian are named as crew members who explain the work as they go. Multiple reviewers mention fast turnaround on real estate transactions, with mold remediation completed in days to keep deals from falling through. Several homeowners specifically credit SCCS with resolving health issues tied to hidden mold.
0 found across 70 total reviews at 5.0★. No negative reviews exist in the last 18 months (0 found across 70 total reviews at 5.0 stars). There is no complaint data to analyze.
The review pattern reflects a small, owner-operated company where Vinnie personally handles the sales call, the estimate, and often the follow-up. Multiple reviewers mention being walked through the process by the owner himself rather than handed off to a salesperson. This level of personal involvement likely explains both the high ratings and the modest review count. The company does not appear to have the volume of a franchise operation.
Vinnie Nowarita (owner — positive), Mick (crew lead, Vinnie's son — positive), Alan (crew member — positive), Brian (project manager — positive), Pete (crew member — positive).
Ask for Vinnie directly when you call. He handles the initial assessment and stays involved through completion. If you want an independent check on their testing results, get a second air quality test from a company that does not do remediation. For time-sensitive jobs like real estate closings, their track record of completing work in days is well-documented across reviews.
Keep in mind
- They do both testing and remediation, which is a conflict of interest. The company that finds the mold also profits from fixing it. Consider getting an independent test to confirm their findings.
- Their service area spans four counties (Porter, Lake, La Porte, and Jasper), which is a wide footprint for a small family operation. Confirm availability and response time for locations at the edges, especially Jasper County.
- The MoldSafe guarantee has a $300 deductible and specific exclusions. Ask for the full terms before relying on it.
- With 70 reviews and zero negatives, there is no complaint data to evaluate. A perfect record can reflect genuine quality or selective review solicitation. Either way, you have no negative experiences to learn from.