Provider profile
Affordable Remediation & Emergency Services
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Matawan-area homeowners who want an owner-operated mold and water damage firm where Dominick De Fendis personally handles every project and answers the phone 24/7.
Best for
- Homeowners in central New Jersey dealing with mold after water damage, especially when speed matters.
- Real estate transactions where you need air testing and results turned around in a day or two.
- Situations where you want the owner personally involved rather than dispatched technicians.
- Commercial properties like offices, schools, and retail spaces needing mold remediation with minimal disruption.
- Biohazard or trauma cleanup emergencies requiring same-day response.
About this company
Affordable Remediation & Emergency Services is a family-owned restoration company based in Matawan, New Jersey, with a second office in Manalapan. Owner Dominick De Fendis runs the operation hands-on, personally showing up to jobs, answering calls at 9pm on Fridays, and working holidays. The company handles mold remediation, mold testing, water damage restoration, and biohazard cleanup for both residential and commercial properties.
What stands out is the breadth of services under one roof. Beyond mold, they do biohazard and trauma cleanup, sewage remediation, hoarding cleanup, basement waterproofing, and post-remediation reconstruction. They offer financing through Hearth, which is unusual for a mold company this size. Multiple reviewers note that Dominick talked them out of unnecessary work or showed them how to fix minor issues themselves, which is rare in this industry.
The company claims over 60 certifications and licenses. They advertise franchise opportunities, which suggests ambitions beyond a single-location operation. They serve New Jersey, NYC, Staten Island, and parts of Connecticut, and at least one reviewer hired them for a job in upstate New York.
A perfect 5.0 rating across 194 Google reviews is genuinely unusual. That volume with zero rating dilution suggests a consistently positive customer experience, though it also means the single recent negative review stands out sharply.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Matawan, New Jersey, with a second office in Manalapan. The company claims to serve all of New Jersey, New York City, Staten Island, and Connecticut. At least one reviewer hired them for a job in upstate New York, so they do travel beyond their immediate area. Confirm availability and any surcharges for jobs outside central New Jersey.
Review consensus
Dominick De Fendis is named in the vast majority of reviews and praised for three things: responsiveness (same-day visits, after-hours phone availability, weekend scheduling), honesty (telling customers they don't need remediation, showing them DIY fixes, not upselling), and personal involvement (he shows up himself rather than sending crews alone). Multiple reviewers specifically chose this company over larger competitors like ServPro. Repeat customers are common. Realtors and property managers reference using him regularly for transactions. Pricing is consistently described as fair or below competitors.
1 found across 194 total reviews at 5.0★. One reviewer alleges Dominick did not wear proper PPE (only a disposable mask rather than a respirator), did not set up containment to prevent cross-contamination, and left an air scrubber running without a hose connected to vent outside. The reviewer says this was the second time her mother hired him and that the first job was done correctly, but the second job on a porch lacked proper procedure. The owner's response claims the space was an outdoor porch that didn't require remediation-level containment, and threatens a defamation lawsuit rather than addressing the specific equipment concerns.
With 194 reviews and only a single negative in the recent window, there is no complaint pattern to identify. The owner response on that one negative is notable for its aggressive tone, including multiple exclamation marks and a lawsuit threat. This contrasts sharply with the patient, accommodating demeanor described in every positive review. The company appears to have no experience handling public criticism, which could be a concern if something goes wrong on your project.
Dominick De Fendis (owner — overwhelmingly positive, named in the majority of all reviews for hands-on work, responsiveness, and honesty).
This is essentially a one-man show with a support crew, and that one man has a near-flawless track record across 194 reviews. Ask for Dominick directly on your project. Because the company does both testing and remediation, get a separate independent air test to verify results. If anything goes sideways, know that the owner's single public response to criticism was combative rather than conciliatory.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation, which is a conflict of interest. The company that finds the mold profits from removing it. Consider getting an independent test from a separate firm.
- The owner responded to the single recent negative review with a lawsuit threat rather than addressing the specific PPE and containment concerns. That reaction style is worth noting if you plan to raise issues during your project.
- They claim to serve New Jersey, NYC, Staten Island, Connecticut, and have traveled to upstate New York. Confirm availability and any travel surcharges for locations far from their Matawan/Manalapan base.
- They advertise franchise opportunities. Ask whether your local job will be handled by Dominick's crew directly or by a franchise operator.