Provider profile
Restoration 1 of Independence
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Independence and eastern KC metro homeowners dealing with water damage that has turned into a mold problem, where 24/7 response and insurance coordination matter.
Best for
- Homeowners in Independence, Buckner, or Grain Valley who need water damage dried and checked for mold by the same company.
- Basement flooding emergencies where 24/7 response and sump pump service matter.
- Post-fire cleanup requiring soot removal, odor treatment, and structural reconstruction in one scope.
- Property owners who want their restoration company to handle insurance documentation and adjuster communication directly.
- Mold discovered after a recent water event, where speed of remediation reduces the chance of spread.
About this company
Restoration 1 of Independence is a locally owned franchise location in Independence, Missouri, operating from 1600 S Noland Rd. Their primary identity is water damage restoration, but they handle the full chain: water extraction, drying, mold remediation, fire and smoke cleanup, and reconstruction. They run IICRC-credentialed crews and work directly with insurance adjusters. Owner Dayton runs the operation and authors the local blog content.
What stands out is the water-to-mold pipeline. When a pipe bursts or a basement floods, the same crew that extracts the water can test for mold, remediate it, and verify clearance afterward. Their mold process follows the ANSI/IICRC S520 standard: containment, HEPA-filtered equipment, removal, and post-remediation verification. They also handle less common services like crawlspace encapsulation, air duct cleaning, crime scene cleanup, and carpet cleaning.
Restoration 1 is a national franchise brand that bills itself as the largest independent restoration company in America. Each location is independently owned. This Independence location serves a narrow footprint: Independence, Buckner, and Grain Valley in the eastern Kansas City metro.
A 5.0 Google rating across 128 reviews is rare for any restoration company. Only 2 reviews in the last 18 months fall below 4 stars. That kind of consistency across dozens of different technicians and job types is worth noting, though the limited negative sample means patterns are hard to detect.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Independence, Missouri at 1600 S Noland Rd. The website lists only two additional cities: Buckner and Grain Valley. All three are in the eastern Kansas City metro area, covering a tight geographic footprint in Jackson County.
Review consensus
Kylar Hernandez (also spelled Kyler) draws the most praise as project manager and mitigation manager. Reviewers describe him explaining every step, keeping them updated, and handling mold and water jobs from start to finish. Aden is the most frequently named technician, with over a dozen reviews calling out his speed, communication, and mold remediation work. Noah Morris gets consistent marks for water damage and smoke damage cleanup. Dominic earned praise for flood response and storm debris cleanup. Jared was highlighted for mold removal work and not upselling unnecessary services. Jennifer drew multiple reviews for guiding customers through the full process.
2 found across 128 total reviews at 5★. Two complaints, each from a different type of dispute. Garrett Griffin (May 2026) was quoted $6,800 for mold remediation and found another company to do the work for $1,600. The owner responded that the quote reflected a full remediation scope including containment and air filtration, and that a lower price can mean a different scope. Joe Yearns (March 2025, Local Guide, 9 reviews) described a conflict with owner Dayton during a water loss job. Joe said Dayton did not follow advice due to the job's complexity and pushed back when the homeowner disagreed. The insurance adjuster had already approved drywall removal, but Dayton had not removed it. The owner responded that IICRC standards for Category 1 clean water did not require demolition.
Both negative reviews involve scope disagreements rather than workmanship failures. In both cases the owner responded the same day with detailed, specific explanations citing industry standards and scope differences. This is not template deflection; the responses engage directly with the complaint details. The pattern suggests a company that stands firm on its scoping methodology, which some customers read as inflexibility or overpricing.
Kylar Hernandez (project manager / mitigation manager — strongly positive across many reviews). Aden (technician — strongly positive, most frequently named staff member). Noah Morris (technician — positive, praised for water and smoke damage work). Dominic (technician — positive, praised for flood and storm response). Jared (technician — positive, praised for mold work and not upselling). Jennifer (staff — positive, praised for guiding customers through the process). Jessica (staff — positive, mentioned for helpfulness). Dayton (owner — mixed; one positive mention, one negative citing scope disagreement). Cameron (staff — positive, brief mention).
Ask for Kylar as your project manager if your job involves mold or water damage. Get a second mold test from an independent lab before committing to remediation, since this company does both testing and remediation. If the estimate feels high, request the itemized scope line by line and compare it against another bid before deciding.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. The same company that tells you whether you have a mold problem also sells the fix. Get an independent test if you want a second opinion on scope.
- One reviewer was quoted $6,800 for mold remediation and paid another company $1,600 for the same job. The owner responded that the lower price likely reflected a different scope of work. Ask for an itemized breakdown and compare it against at least one other bid.
- Owner Dayton drew a complaint for disagreeing with a homeowner about whether demolition was needed during a water loss. The owner response cited IICRC standards for Category 1 water. If you disagree with the scope, ask to see the moisture readings and the standard they are following.
- Their listed service area covers only Independence, Buckner, and Grain Valley. If you are elsewhere in the KC metro, confirm they will take the job before scheduling.
- This is a franchise location. Corporate Restoration 1 sets brand standards, but staffing, pricing, and service quality are controlled locally by the franchise owner.