Provider profile
Rainbow International of Des Moines
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Central Iowa homeowners needing mold remediation tied to water or storm damage, where Rainbow's large crew handles mitigation through full reconstruction under one contract.
Best for
- Central Iowa homeowners dealing with water damage that has led to mold, who want one company to handle extraction, remediation, and any needed reconstruction.
- Property managers in the Des Moines metro who need a single-vendor restoration partner for recurring storm and water damage across multiple properties.
- Homeowners in Perry, Ames, Ankeny, or West Des Moines who need fast emergency response after flooding or storm damage, where Rainbow's 24/7 availability and insurance referral network speed up the process.
- Commercial property owners in Central Iowa needing mold remediation alongside fire, smoke, or water damage restoration under one contract.
About this company
Rainbow International of Des Moines is a Neighborly franchise operating out of Perry, Iowa, serving the greater Des Moines metro and Central/West Central Iowa. Their primary identity is storm and disaster restoration, not mold-specific work. Mold remediation is one service within a broader portfolio that includes water damage restoration, fire and smoke cleanup, full reconstruction, carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, and content processing.
The website describes mold removal for both residential and commercial properties but provides no detail on specific equipment, containment methods, or remediation protocols beyond generic franchise language. Their strongest differentiator is scope: they handle everything from emergency board-up and water extraction through full-service reconstruction, which means a homeowner dealing with water-damage-triggered mold can stay with one company from start to finish. The site mentions 24/7 emergency response and insurance coordination.
Owners JC, Shelley, and Jason Barck run the franchise. Reviewer Lauren Springer, a Local Guide with 19 reviews, describes using them repeatedly on a 125-year-old Beaverdale home and names JC and Shelley as experienced in fire and water restoration. Shriti Nathwani has used them three times for water damage. The team includes project managers like Ryan Henfling and David Swanson, field lead Luis, and reconstruction workers like Bryant. Multiple insurance companies refer clients to them directly.
At 4.2 stars across 59 Google reviews, the rating sits below the 4.5 threshold where most buyers feel comfortable. The 3 recent one-star reviews all involve large reconstruction projects, not mold or mitigation work. The positive reviews skew heavily toward water damage response and storm cleanup, where speed and communication get consistent praise.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Perry, Iowa, serving the greater Des Moines metro and Central/West Central Iowa. Their website lists 80+ cities including Des Moines, Ames, Ankeny, Boone, Fort Dodge, Carroll, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Johnston, Grimes, and Waukee. That is a very wide service radius stretching 80+ miles in multiple directions from their Perry office.
Review consensus
Luis is named in 8+ reviews as fast, available, and communicative during water damage mitigation. Ryan Henfling appears across 6+ reviews as a project manager who sets clear expectations and keeps homeowners in the loop. Tiffany is praised alongside Luis for efficient emergency work. Carissa Clark is singled out for compassionate communication during a fire restoration. Mark, Sean, and Neil each get positive mentions for hands-on mitigation work. Multiple reviewers describe Rainbow as the first company to respond after storms, often arriving the same day. Insurance agents and adjusters refer clients directly, and several reviewers note smooth insurance coordination.
3 found across 59 total reviews at 4.2★. All three complaints involve full home reconstruction after disasters, not mold or water mitigation. Amy Brause describes a tornado restoration where special-order windows had flanges removed to force-fit, siding nails were not secured into solid backing, and the final invoice exceeded the quote by $23,000. The company had four chances to correct the work. Kellie Flanery describes a fire rebuild with floors installed before drywall was finished, cracked ceilings, wrong-sized kitchen cabinets installed instead of reordered, and materials chosen without approval. She reports firing them halfway through and pursuing legal action, and mentions two other customers doing the same. Kelley McClaughry describes a slow estimate process taking nearly a month, with the final price double a competitor's quote. Jason Barck's owner response provides a detailed timeline showing the delays partly involved insurance reviews and the customer's own callback timing.
The negative reviews cluster around large reconstruction projects, while the positive reviews cluster around emergency mitigation and water damage response. This suggests a split between Rainbow's mitigation team (Luis, Sean, Mark, Neil) and their reconstruction operations. The mitigation side delivers fast, communicative service. The reconstruction side has produced multiple customers who describe defective workmanship and billing disputes. This is a common pattern in restoration franchises that handle both mitigation and rebuild: the emergency response team and the construction crew operate differently.
Luis (field lead/mitigation — positive across 8+ reviews for speed, availability, and communication). Ryan Henfling (project manager — positive across 6+ reviews for clear expectations and follow-through). Tiffany (technician — positive for efficient emergency work). Carissa Clark (coordinator — positive for compassionate communication during fire restoration). Mark (technician — positive for water damage work). Sean (technician — positive for attentiveness). Neil (technician — positive for hands-on water damage work over multiple days). Jason Barck (owner — gave one detailed owner response). JC and Shelley (owners — positive from repeat customer for knowledge and experience). David Swanson (project manager — positive for storm damage coordination). Jesse (crew — positive). Robbie (crew — positive). Bryant (reconstruction — positive for garage fire repair). Jeff Roberts (positive from insurance agents for customer service). Eric and Joe (positive for roof repair). Karla (receptionist — positive for helpfulness). Anna (positive for water damage work). Mike Clark, Jeff Maclderry, Brent Trampel (crew — positive for derecho and hail damage repairs).
Rainbow's water mitigation and emergency response team delivers consistently. Ask for Luis or Ryan Henfling by name. For mold remediation specifically, press them on what equipment and containment methods they use, since the website does not specify. If your project involves major reconstruction beyond mitigation, get a detailed written scope and fixed-price contract before work begins, and consider having an independent contractor inspect work at milestones.
Keep in mind
- The 3 recent one-star reviews describe serious reconstruction defects: windows with flanges removed to force-fit them, siding nails driven into nothing, wrong-sized cabinets installed instead of reordered, and invoices exceeding quotes by $23,000. Two of these customers report pursuing legal action. All three involve large rebuild projects, not mold or mitigation work, but the pattern raises questions about quality control on complex jobs.
- At 4.2 stars, the Google rating is below the 4.5 mark that signals consistent satisfaction. The gap comes entirely from reconstruction complaints, not from their water mitigation or emergency response work.
- The website's mold remediation page uses franchise-standard language and does not describe specific equipment, containment methods, or clearance testing. Ask what their mold removal process actually involves before booking.
- Their service area stretches across dozens of cities from Fort Dodge to Carlisle to Carroll. That is a very wide radius from their Perry office, and response times will vary significantly at the edges.
- Only one of the three recent negative reviews received an owner response. The response from Jason Barck was detailed and engaged with specifics, but the 33% response rate on negatives is low.