Provider profile
Disaster Relief
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Buffalo and Western New York homeowners dealing with water damage or mold after frozen pipes, flooding, or sewage backups — a firefighter-founded restoration company with 24/7 live phone pickup.
Best for
- Buffalo and WNY homeowners needing emergency water extraction after burst pipes, flooding, or sump pump failures
- Property owners who want a restoration company that will advocate for them with their insurance company rather than work as the insurer's preferred vendor
- Homeowners with mold growth following water damage who want remediation handled by the same crew that did the water cleanup
- Commercial property managers needing fast-turnaround sewage cleanup and sanitization
- Residents dealing with fire or smoke damage who need contents cleaning, storage, and full structural repair under one company
About this company
Disaster Relief is a restoration company based in Collins, New York, serving the greater Buffalo and Western New York region. The founder, Bob Timmel, started the business in 1998 after responding to a fatal house fire with his volunteer fire company — Center Volunteer Fire Co. — and realizing no one offered emergency board-up services on short notice. Mold remediation is one of several services alongside water damage restoration, fire damage repair, and sewage cleanup. The team holds New York State mold remediation certification and references IICRC training on their website.
What stands out is the origin story and how it shapes operations. This is a company built around emergency response, not mold specifically. They answer phones live 24/7 — no answering machine — and multiple reviewers confirm same-day or next-day arrival. They run background checks on all employees and bill insurance companies directly, positioning themselves as advocates for the property owner rather than the insurer. They also offer financing through GreenSky for jobs not covered by insurance.
Bob Timmel has run the company for over 25 years. The business has grown from emergency board-ups to a full restoration operation covering water mitigation, fire damage, mold removal, air duct cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection, and emergency plumbing. The website explicitly warns homeowners about insurance company "preferred vendor" lists and encourages property owners to choose their own contractor.
5.0 stars across 265 Google reviews is remarkable. Not a single review in the last 18 months falls below 4 stars. That volume at that rating suggests a company where the owner's firefighter-bred service ethic has scaled to the team — reviewers consistently name individual crew members and describe specific actions rather than leaving generic praise.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Collins, New York, about 30 miles south of Buffalo. The website lists over 50 service communities across Erie, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties, including Buffalo, Amherst, Hamburg, Orchard Park, West Seneca, Williamsville, East Aurora, Springville, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Jamestown, Lakewood, Ellicottville, and Salamanca. The claimed area stretches roughly 80 miles from Jamestown in the southwest to Amherst in the northeast.
Review consensus
Jesse is the most frequently named employee, praised across more than a dozen reviews for fast response, clear communication, and hands-on project management — from initial damage assessment through insurance navigation. Mike (Michael Findlay) draws similar praise for honest estimates, quick arrivals, and detailed explanations of the remediation process. Dylan earns repeat mentions for being knowledgeable and personable, with one reviewer calling him someone who made them feel they were "in good hands." Kevin is highlighted for after-hours responsiveness, honesty, and willingness to provide straightforward advice even when it meant less work for the company. Operationally, reviewers consistently cite same-day or next-day response, live phone answering, clear communication throughout the process, and help navigating insurance claims.
0 found across 265 total reviews at 5.0★. No negative reviews exist in the last 18 months. Across 265 total reviews at a 5.0-star rating, the recent review record provides no complaints to analyze.
The absence of any recent negative reviews across 265 total is itself a pattern worth noting. This is unusually clean for a restoration company handling emergency and insurance-driven work — situations that inherently produce stress and disagreements over scope and cost. The company appears to achieve this through a combination of live 24/7 phone answering (reducing the frustration of waiting), named point-of-contact employees who stay with the job, and direct insurance billing that removes out-of-pocket friction. Multiple reviewers also mention that plumbers recommended Disaster Relief to them, suggesting strong trade referral relationships in the Buffalo area.
Jesse (project manager/estimator — overwhelmingly positive, named in 12+ reviews for responsiveness and communication). Mike/Michael Findlay (estimator/technician — positive, praised for honesty, thorough explanations, and fast arrivals). Dylan (technician/representative — positive, noted for knowledge, personability, and hands-on care). Kevin (technician — positive, praised for after-hours response and honest advice). Bob Timmel (owner/founder — positive, referenced in older testimonials for personal involvement). Shawn (crew member — positive, mentioned alongside Mike for crawlspace cleanup). Taneeka (crew member — positive, mentioned for teamwork and attention to detail). Emily (cleaning technician — positive, praised for deep cleaning and odor removal). Kaylee (crew member — positive, mentioned for comforting homeowners during fire damage). Frank Zambito (mentioned in one testimonial for quick assistance).
With 265 reviews at a perfect 5.0 and zero recent negatives, Disaster Relief has an unusually strong track record for a restoration company. Ask for Jesse or Mike when you call — they are the two most consistently praised for managing the full process from estimate through insurance resolution. The company does not do mold testing, so hire a separate testing company before and after remediation to get an independent assessment.
Keep in mind
- Mold remediation is one part of a broader restoration business — if you need mold-only work unrelated to water or fire damage, confirm they can prioritize standalone mold jobs with the same urgency they give emergency calls.
- They do not offer mold testing or inspection. You will need a separate company for pre- and post-remediation testing, which actually eliminates the conflict of interest that comes with companies that test and remediate.
- Their headquarters is in Collins, about 30 miles south of Buffalo. Response times to the northern and eastern edges of their service area (Amherst, Williamsville) may differ from response times closer to home.
- The service area listed on their website spans over 50 communities from Jamestown to Amherst — roughly 80 miles. Confirm they can serve your specific location before scheduling.
- One reviewer noted the work was "a little pricey, but not outrageous." Get a written estimate before work begins, especially for non-emergency mold jobs where you have time to compare.