Provider profile
1-800 Water Damage of Raleigh
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Raleigh homeowners dealing with water damage that has led to mold growth, where same-day response from owner Red Howard and a BELFOR-backed franchise crew matters.
Best for
- Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, Apex, or Garner homeowners who need mold remediation tied to an active or recent water damage event.
- Homeowners who want the same company to handle water extraction, drying, and mold remediation in one project without coordinating multiple contractors.
- Property owners who need same-day or weekend emergency response for water damage before mold sets in.
- Commercial property managers in the Triangle area who need a restoration company that handles both residential and commercial jobs.
- Insurance claimants who want a restoration company that communicates directly with adjusters and helps navigate the claims process.
About this company
1-800 Water Damage of Raleigh is a franchise location of the national 1-800 WATER DAMAGE brand, backed by BELFOR, operating out of Corporation Parkway in Raleigh. Their primary work is water damage restoration, but they handle the full chain from water extraction through mold remediation and removal. Owner Red Howard runs the local operation and shows up on initial assessments himself, often on the same day you call.
The mold side of their business follows S520 guidelines for remediation. Their website lists mold damage restoration and mold removal as distinct service lines. Because they start most mold jobs after discovering moisture problems during water damage work, they handle the source-to-remediation pipeline under one roof. They also take on fire and smoke restoration, sewage cleanup, and commercial projects.
This is a franchise operation, which means national brand resources and training standards from BELFOR, but local ownership and a small crew. Red Howard runs the Raleigh location and is directly involved in jobs. The EPA Lead Safe Certified Firm designation appears on their site. They advertise 24/7 emergency service and cover South Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, Apex, and Garner.
A 5.0-star rating across 153 Google reviews is rare for any restoration company. Multiple insurance agents and contractors refer clients to them by name, which suggests a reputation built on repeat referral relationships rather than advertising.
Services
Service area
Headquartered at 1129 Corporation Pkwy STE 101 in Raleigh, NC. Serves South Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, Apex, Garner, and surrounding areas. A separate 1-800 WATER DAMAGE franchise covers the N.W. Triangle Area from Durham, so confirm which franchise handles your specific location.
Review consensus
Red Howard draws the most mentions by name. Reviewers describe him arriving the same day, often within an hour, to assess damage personally. Patrick Griffin gets repeated praise for fast response times, clear communication about next steps, and connecting customers with plumbers and general contractors. Jackson is highlighted for going above and beyond during the drying process and addressing mold damage concerns with patience. Lee is noted for being respectful of personal items and thorough in his work. Ben Winkler is described as knowledgeable and efficient. Multiple insurance agents (Dave Bullard, Mark Ingalls) refer clients to this company specifically. Reviewers consistently mention honesty: Red and Patrick have told customers when a job did not require their services or when a different type of contractor was needed.
0 found across 153 total reviews at 5.0★. No 1-star or negative reviews appeared in the last 18 months. One reviewer (Sertalp B. Cay) originally posted a 3-star review citing communication difficulties and having to repeatedly ask about using a containment wall, but updated the review to 5 stars after speaking with a manager who clarified the situation.
The review base skews heavily toward insurance-referred water damage work. Several reviewers are insurance agents or contractors who refer clients, which may partly explain the perfect rating. One originally critical review about communication gaps during mold-related work was revised upward after management outreach, suggesting the company actively monitors and responds to feedback.
Red Howard (owner — consistently praised for same-day response, honest assessments, and personal involvement). Patrick Griffin (rep/technician — praised for fast response, clear communication, insurance guidance, and referrals to other contractors). Jackson (technician — praised for going above and beyond during drying, addressing mold concerns, strong communication). Lee (technician — praised for thoroughness, respect for personal items, weekend check-ins on moisture levels). Ben Winkler (technician — praised for knowledge, efficiency, and putting customers at ease). Dwayne (technician — praised for coordination on dryout work).
Ask for Red Howard on the initial assessment and confirm up front whether your job involves mold remediation or just water mitigation. This company earns its reputation on water damage response speed and honest evaluations. For mold-specific work, ask what their remediation process involves and whether they will provide post-remediation verification from a third party.
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 mold problem is the one billing you to fix it. Consider getting an independent mold assessment before committing to their remediation work.
- This is a franchise of a national brand, not an independent local mold specialist. Their primary identity is water damage restoration. Mold work is one service line among several.
- Their service area claim covers South Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, Apex, and Garner. A separate 1-800 WATER DAMAGE franchise covers the N.W. Triangle Area out of Durham, so confirm which location handles your address before booking.
- Almost all of their 153 reviews reference water damage work. Only a handful mention mold specifically. If you need mold-only remediation without a preceding water event, ask whether they handle standalone mold jobs with the same response time.
- No negative reviews appeared in the last 18 months. That is unusual for a company with this volume of work and worth verifying against other review platforms.