Provider profile
SERVPRO of Cambridge/Belmont
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Cambridge and Belmont homeowners dealing with water damage that has led to mold, where having one crew handle cleanup through rebuild under owner Michael Pridham saves coordination time.
Best for
- Cambridge and Belmont homeowners who need mold remediation tied to water damage and want one company from extraction through rebuild.
- Property managers and realtors who need fast-turnaround restoration work on a tight schedule — several reviewers in that role praised the speed.
- Homeowners facing sewage backups or basement flooding where mold is a secondary concern after water extraction.
- Commercial property owners or nonprofits needing mold cleanup with minimal disruption to operations.
About this company
SERVPRO of Cambridge/Belmont is a franchise location at 67 Smith Place in Cambridge, owned by Michael Pridham since 2000. Their primary work is water damage restoration — that is how most customers find them — but they handle the full chain from emergency water extraction through mold remediation and structural rebuild. They serve both Cambridge and Belmont, covering residential and commercial properties.
What stands out is the remediation-to-reconstruction pipeline. Most mold companies stop after cleanup. This franchise keeps the job in-house through drywall replacement, painting, and finish work. Their mold page describes containment procedures, air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, and antimicrobial treatments. They also offer packout and off-site contents cleaning, which reviewers confirm — one customer described them removing basement rugs, cleaning them off-site, and returning them after the space dried.
Pridham has run this franchise for over 25 years. The crew has changed over time — earlier reviews name Raffi Yarmenian as the primary point of contact, while more recent reviews highlight Sergio, Melvin, John Brandao, and Dilson. The operation runs 24/7 with emergency response, and multiple reviewers report crews arriving within an hour of their call.
4.7 stars across 90 Google reviews is solid for a restoration company. The overwhelming majority of reviews are 5-star, with only 2 recent negatives. That ratio reflects a franchise that handles high-stress situations — flooded basements, sewage backups, mold outbreaks — and consistently leaves customers feeling taken care of.
Services
Service area
Headquartered at 67 Smith Place in Cambridge, MA. Their listed service area covers Cambridge and Belmont. Reviews confirm work in both cities plus Somerville. As a SERVPRO franchise, their territory is defined by the franchisor — confirm coverage if you are outside Cambridge or Belmont proper.
Review consensus
Fast response time is the most consistent theme — multiple reviewers describe crews arriving within an hour, including on weekends and holidays. Sergio draws the most mentions as a crew leader who communicates clearly and keeps job sites clean. Raffi Yarmenian was the go-to contact in earlier years, praised for explaining remediation plans and even advising renters on how to approach their landlords. Michael Pridham gets credit for personal involvement — one out-of-state parent described him calling back within five minutes while on vacation to arrange a packout for their injured daughter. John Brandao earned praise for a condo bathroom rebuild with zero delays. Reviewers repeatedly note the crew's willingness to explain what they can clean themselves versus what needs professional attention, saving customers money.
2 found across 90 total reviews at 4.7★. Both recent negatives center on billing and communication. One reviewer (9 prior reviews, 2 likes) detailed charges more than 60% above industry norms, months of back-and-forth on invoicing, and a safety incident involving gas from improperly placed equipment that required emergency utility response. The owner replied with a generic template asking the reviewer to call the office. A second reviewer described upfront payment pressure despite insurance involvement and called the communication unprofessional from the start. Neither complaint names a specific crew member.
The owner response to the detailed 1-star review was a short template — no engagement with the specific billing or safety claims. That contrasts with the highly personal, responsive reputation the positive reviews describe. The disconnect may reflect a difference between how the franchise handles in-person service versus online reputation management.
Michael Pridham (owner — positive). Sergio (site manager/crew lead — positive). Raffi Yarmenian (crew manager — positive). Melvin (on-site representative — positive). Roberto (foreman — positive). John Brandao (contractor/rebuild — positive). Christopher Myers (project manager — positive). Dilson (crew — positive). Grace (technician — positive). Nick (crew — positive). Wilson (crew — positive). Alfredo (crew — positive). Jay (crew — positive). George (office staff — positive). Elijah (crew — positive). Marvin (crew — positive).
Ask for Sergio or John Brandao by name if you can. Get a written, line-item estimate before work starts and confirm insurance payment flow upfront — the two negative experiences both trace to billing surprises. The 88-to-2 ratio of positive to negative reviews across 90 total is strong, but the billing complaints are specific enough to take seriously.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. That creates a financial incentive to find problems they then get paid to fix. Get an independent mold test before committing to remediation work.
- Two recent reviewers reported billing that ran significantly above initial expectations, with one claiming charges exceeded industry norms by over 60%. Ask for a written estimate broken down by line item before work begins.
- One reviewer described being pressured to pay upfront even though insurance was supposed to cover it. Confirm with your insurer how payment flows before signing anything.
- This is a SERVPRO franchise, not a standalone company. National brand standards apply, but day-to-day quality depends on the local owner and crew. The Cambridge/Belmont franchise has its own team and pricing.
- Mold remediation is one of many services they offer alongside water damage, fire damage, and construction. They are a restoration generalist, not a mold specialist.