Provider profile
Dream Steam Cleaning
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Des Moines homeowners dealing with mold after water damage, backed by a family-run restoration company operating across Iowa since 1983 with 24/7 response.
Best for
- Des Moines homeowners who need mold removal following water damage from flooding, pipe breaks, or appliance leaks, where the same company can handle both the water mitigation and the mold work.
- Insurance-claim situations where you want a restoration company that bills your provider directly and uses Xactimate, the same estimating software your adjuster uses.
- After-hours emergencies requiring same-day or next-morning response, since Dream Steam answers calls 24/7 and dispatches technicians on weekends and evenings.
- Homeowners across central Iowa (Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids) who want a single company with local offices rather than a franchise or national chain.
- Situations where mold developed after delayed water cleanup, since Dream Steam can assess moisture damage and transition directly into mold removal without bringing in a second contractor.
About this company
Dream Steam started in Des Moines in 1983 as a one-van carpet cleaning operation run by a father and two sons. The company merged with Hambly & Sons Carpet Cleaning and purchased Pioneer Cleaning Services, growing into a multi-location restoration outfit. Mold remediation sits within a broader book of work that includes water damage, storm damage, fire damage, biohazard cleanup, carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, and dryer vent cleaning.
The mold-specific differentiator here is the water-to-mold pipeline. Dream Steam handles the initial water extraction and drying, then transitions to mold removal if growth develops. The company holds IICRC certification for mold removal and uses Xactimate estimating software, which streamlines insurance claims. They bill insurance providers directly and accept homeowners, auto, and business policies.
The Hambly family gained national recognition during the 2008 Iowa floods, which pushed the company deeper into restoration work. Dream Steam now operates from Des Moines, Ames, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Omaha. The company takes 24/7 calls with live phone answering and dispatches technicians for after-hours emergencies.
With 182 Google reviews and a 4.7-star rating, the company earns high marks overall. The volume of named technicians receiving individual praise (Luke, Jackson, Nathaniel, Anna, Shawn, Joe, and others) suggests a culture where field staff take ownership of customer experience.
Services
Service area
Dream Steam is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa at 2201 E 17th St. The company operates additional locations in Ames (as Pioneer Cleaning & Restoration), Waterloo (as Hambly & Sons Cleaning & Restoration), Cedar Rapids, Grinnell (as On Call), and Omaha, Nebraska. Core coverage spans central Iowa.
Review consensus
Reviewers consistently name individual technicians and praise them by name. Nathaniel (also called Nate or Nate B.) appears most frequently, drawing praise for air duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, and punctuality across at least six reviews. Anna shows up in both water damage and carpet contexts, with multiple reviewers highlighting her leadership during stressful water emergencies. Luke, Jackson, and Joe each receive multiple mentions for friendly demeanor and quality work. Reviewers with water damage frequently note fast response times, including weekend evening dispatches. Repeat customers are common, with several reviewers mentioning using Dream Steam multiple times over years.
2 found across 182 total reviews at 4.7★. Two complaints paint different pictures. Jaci Hansen (April 2026) says a cleaning destroyed her mattress and left her house smelling for days. Anna came to inspect and confirmed the mattress was a total loss, but the front desk person (possibly Laura) responded with hostility rather than accountability. The second 1-star (Anna McCreedy, October 2025) hired them to remove cat urine smell in a rental basement. The treatment did not reduce the odor, she was charged extra for step spraying that was not on her receipt, and nobody returned her follow-up calls. She specifically referenced Hambly & Sons, the Waterloo-area brand under the same ownership.
Dream Steam has not responded to any of the three recent negative reviews (0% response rate). This stands out for a company with 182 reviews and a generally strong reputation. The two 1-star complaints share a thread: both reviewers felt the company handled the mistake or failure poorly after the fact, not just during the service itself. The disconnect between strong field technician reviews and weak complaint resolution suggests the office/customer service layer may not match the quality of the field teams.
Luke (technician -- positive, multiple reviews for carpet and water damage work). Jackson (technician -- positive, praised for carpet cleaning, duct cleaning, and water damage). Anna (technician/team lead -- positive in multiple reviews for water damage response and carpet cleaning; also noted positively in the 1-star mattress review for her inspection). Nathaniel/Nate/Nate B./Nathaniel Bair (technician -- positive, most-mentioned staff member across duct cleaning, carpet cleaning). Joe (technician -- positive, three reviews for duct cleaning). Shawn (technician -- positive, duct cleaning and carpet). Sam (technician -- positive, water damage and mattress cleaning). Michael (technician -- positive, mattress cleaning). Patrick (technician -- positive, carpet cleaning). Bella (technician -- positive, carpet cleaning). Dallas (technician -- positive, carpet cleaning). Emily (technician -- positive, carpet cleaning). Gal (technician -- positive, customer service). Brant (scheduling/office -- positive). Amy (scheduling/office -- positive). Laura (front desk -- negative, described as snippy and rude in 1-star mattress complaint). Jacob (technician -- positive, upholstery cleaning).
Dream Steam's field technicians earn genuine loyalty from customers, and the company handles water emergencies with real urgency. Ask for Nathaniel, Anna, or Luke if you can. Watch for how the office handles your initial contact -- if the front desk communication feels dismissive, escalate early, because the 0% owner response rate on negatives means complaints may not get addressed on their own.
Keep in mind
- Dream Steam does not perform mold testing or inspection. You will need a separate company to test before and after remediation, which adds cost and coordination.
- The company started as a carpet cleaner and still does far more carpet and duct cleaning than mold work. Ask how many mold jobs they handle per month and whether the technician assigned to your job holds the IICRC mold remediation credential individually.
- Two recent 1-star reviews went unanswered by the business. Zero owner responses on negative reviews in the last 18 months suggests complaints may not get escalated internally.
- One reviewer arrived at the Des Moines office at 4:30 PM and found it locked despite being told they close at 5 PM. The company's customer service line could not connect her to the local office. Confirm hours and office access before planning a drop-off visit.
- The website provides minimal detail about mold removal methods, equipment, or post-remediation verification. The FAQ section addresses mold prevention but not the remediation process itself.