Provider profile
PuroClean of Howell
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Howell-area homeowners dealing with water damage or mold after a flood, pipe burst, or sump pump failure who want a restoration franchise with strong insurance coordination.
Best for
- Homeowners in Howell, Brighton, or Livingston County who need water damage restoration with mold prevention.
- First-time insurance claimants who want a crew that walks them through the process and communicates with the adjuster directly.
- Property owners dealing with sewage backups or sump pump failures who need same-day emergency response.
- Homeowners with hardwood floors affected by water damage who want specialty drying to avoid replacement.
About this company
PuroClean of Howell is a PuroClean franchise on East Grand River Avenue in Howell, Michigan, co-owned by Joe Thomas and Anthony Ciotti. They handle water damage, fire and smoke restoration, mold removal, biohazard cleanup, and reconstruction for both homes and commercial properties. The website describes the ownership team as having decades of experience in construction, renovation, and restoration.
The operation uses thermal imaging and moisture meters to find hidden moisture, EPA-registered disinfectants for sanitizing, and a specialty drying system for hardwood floors that combines heat, desiccant dehumidification, and drying panels. They hold IICRC credentials and EPA Lead-Safe certification. Nothing here is unusual for a well-equipped restoration franchise, but the hardwood floor drying system and lead-safe certification are worth noting.
They claim a wide service area stretching across metro Detroit, including Brighton, Wixom, Novi, Jackson, Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and Fenton. For a single franchise location in Howell, that is a broad geographic footprint.
The 4.9-star rating across 31 Google reviews with zero negative reviews in the last 18 months is strong. The review volume is modest, but the consistency is notable. Multiple reviewers describe the team walking them through the insurance process step by step, which suggests the operation prioritizes communication during stressful situations.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Howell, Michigan at 5778 E Grand River Avenue. The website claims coverage across metro Detroit including Brighton, Wixom, Novi, Jackson, Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and Fenton. That range spans roughly 70 miles and multiple counties from a single location, so confirm response times for addresses outside Livingston County.
Review consensus
Communication stands out above everything else. Reviewers repeatedly describe the team explaining each step, coordinating with insurance companies, and keeping homeowners informed throughout multi-day projects. Lawrence appears in three separate reviews for his hands-on work. Steve Scott drew extensive praise in earlier reviews for attic mold remediation, thorough inspections with photos and video documentation, and fighting insurance companies on behalf of customers. Matt earned praise from a first-time homeowner for guiding him through a flooded basement from a sump pump failure. Shiann and Gerald get credit for fast communication with insurance companies. Multiple reviewers specifically mention the team's compassion during stressful situations like fires and floods.
0 found across 31 total reviews at 4.9★. 0 found across 31 total reviews at 4.9★. No negative reviews exist in the last 18 months. The review record shows no complaints to analyze.
The review timeline shows a notable shift in named staff. Reviews from 2019-2021 consistently praise Steve (Scott) as the central figure. Reviews from 2025-2026 name Lawrence, Matt, Shiann, Jacob, Josh, and others but Steve no longer appears. This is consistent with franchise staff turnover. The current team appears to maintain the same communication-focused approach, but buyers should be aware the people behind the reputation have changed.
Steve Scott (technician/lead — highly praised in 2019-2021 reviews for inspections, mold remediation, insurance advocacy). Lawrence (technician — praised across multiple 2025-2026 reviews for hands-on work and communication). Matt (technician — praised for guiding a first-time homeowner through sump pump flood). Jeff Gooch (technician — praised for being polite and walking customers through problems). Jacob (technician — praised for helpfulness during basement flood). Shiann (coordinator — praised for fast insurance communication). Gerald (technician — praised for communication). Josh (technician — praised for cleanup work). Mike (technician — praised across multiple reviews). Cheyenne (technician — praised for courtesy). Randy (staff — praised for communication). Tony (staff — praised for helpfulness). AJ (inspector — praised for knowledgeable inspection). Sevan (technician — praised for answering questions, reasonable estimates). Derek (technician — praised for mold remediation). Joe (co-owner — mentioned positively by name).
This is a well-reviewed franchise operation where communication with homeowners and insurance companies is the consistent strength. Ask for Lawrence or Matt by name if your job involves water damage. Confirm that any mold testing will be done by an independent party or get a second opinion before authorizing remediation work from the same company.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. That creates a conflict of interest: the same company telling you that you have a problem is the one getting paid to fix it. Ask whether they accept third-party test results or can recommend an independent inspector.
- The service area claim stretches from Jackson to Novi to Ann Arbor to Fenton. That covers a huge swath of southeast Michigan from a single Howell location. Confirm response times for addresses far from Howell before booking.
- With only 31 reviews over several years, the sample size is small. The 4.9-star rating is encouraging but based on limited volume.
- This is a franchise operation. Staff turnover at franchises can mean the crew that earned those reviews may differ from who shows up at your door.