Provider profile
First Response Restoration
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Bergen County homeowners dealing with water damage that has led to mold growth, where a single contractor handling both cleanup and remediation under one insurance claim simplifies the process.
Best for
- Bergen County and northern NJ homeowners who need mold remediation tied to a recent water event — burst pipe, basement flood, or sewage backup — and want one company to handle the full scope from water extraction through rebuild.
- Homeowners who want their restoration company to handle insurance paperwork directly, since First Response bills the carrier and uses the same estimating software insurers use.
- Property owners dealing with after-hours emergencies who need a crew on-site within an hour, including weekends and holidays.
- Commercial property managers in northern NJ who need fast water or mold cleanup to minimize business interruption.
About this company
First Response Restoration is a Wyckoff, NJ-based restoration company that handles water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediation, and sewage cleanup for residential and commercial properties across northern New Jersey. Mold work is one piece of a broader restoration operation — they frequently encounter mold as a consequence of water damage jobs rather than as standalone mold calls.
Their website emphasizes a 30-minute response time and 24/7 availability with a live person answering the phone. They bill insurance carriers directly using standardized industry pricing software, and their IICRC-trained technicians handle everything from water extraction and structural drying to mold removal and post-remediation rebuilding. The company claims it can restore damaged drywall, cabinets, and flooring in-house rather than handing that work off to a separate contractor.
Locally owned and operated, the company has been in business for over 10 years. Owner Mike is regularly mentioned by name in reviews and appears to be personally involved in both estimates and on-site work. The company holds a HomeAdvisor Super Service Award.
4.8 stars across 47 Google reviews is a strong rating. Nearly every review mentions fast response time, and several describe the crew arriving within 30 to 90 minutes of the initial call. Only 1 review in the last 18 months falls at 3 stars or below.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Wyckoff, NJ (Bergen County). The company serves northern New Jersey with a focus on Bergen County and surrounding areas. Their website references service across all of northern NJ, though response times will vary with distance from Wyckoff.
Review consensus
Mike, the owner, is mentioned by name in roughly a third of all reviews. Reviewers consistently describe him as responsive, hands-on, and willing to walk homeowners through the process step by step. The field crew — Anthony, Arty, and CJ — appear together in multiple reviews and draw praise for being courteous and detail-oriented. Fast arrival times are the single most repeated theme: reviewers describe crews showing up within 30 to 90 minutes, including during holidays and heavy rainstorms. Several reviewers specifically credit the company with handling insurance paperwork smoothly.
1 found across 47 total reviews at 4.8★. A Local Guide reviewer described being referred to Mike but handed off to Fred instead. After the mold remediation was done, the reviewer asked about rebuilding the kitchen cabinets, drywall, and painting. Fred's quote came in high, and when the reviewer pushed back, Fred became defensive and eventually refused to continue the work. The company then picked up their equipment and left while the area was still wet and the leak source unresolved. After the reviewer involved insurance, the company's quote reportedly increased by more than $1,000. The reviewer had to hire a separate contractor to finish the job. The reviewer specifically recommended asking for Mike and avoiding Fred.
First Response operates primarily as a water damage restoration company, and mold work is a natural extension of that core business. This means their mold expertise is rooted in moisture control and structural drying rather than standalone mold assessment. The single negative review suggests a potential disconnect between the front-of-house experience with Mike and the field experience with other staff — a pattern worth watching but not established from one complaint. The company's 0% response rate on negative reviews is notable for a business with otherwise strong ratings.
Mike (owner — praised repeatedly for responsiveness, direct involvement, and clear communication). Fred (field staff — one reviewer reported he was defensive and refused to finish rebuild work; one older positive review praised his quick assessment on a sewage job). Anthony (field technician — praised in multiple reviews for thoroughness and mold work). Arty (field technician — praised alongside CJ and Anthony for being helpful and courteous). CJ (field technician — praised alongside Arty and Anthony). Collin (field technician — praised for basement cleanup work).
Request Mike for your estimate and ask who will manage your project day-to-day. Get the full scope in writing — remediation, rebuild, and final clearance — with pricing locked before insurance involvement. With 46 positive reviews against 1 negative, the odds are in your favor, but that one complaint highlights what can go wrong when the owner is not directly involved.
Keep in mind
- First Response does both mold testing and mold remediation. That means the same company diagnosing your mold problem also profits from fixing it. Consider getting an independent mold test before or after their work to confirm the scope and the clearance.
- The one recent negative review describes a rebuild quote that increased by over $1,000 after insurance got involved. Ask for a written, itemized quote before work begins and clarify what happens to pricing if you file an insurance claim.
- The company did not respond to its only recent negative review. With a 0% owner response rate on complaints, you cannot gauge how they handle disputes before hiring.
- Their website claims a 30-minute response time and coverage across all of northern New Jersey. Actual response times likely vary depending on how far you are from Wyckoff.