Provider profile
A&I Fire and Water Restoration
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Wilmington-area homeowners dealing with water or fire damage who want a locally rooted restoration company with over 50 years in coastal Carolina communities.
Best for
- Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead, and Wrightsville Beach homeowners who need water damage mitigation with same-day response.
- Property owners dealing with mold after a water event who want remediation handled separately from testing.
- Condo associations and commercial property managers in the Cape Fear region needing a company that handles both mitigation and insurance coordination.
- Homeowners recovering from fire damage who need a single company to manage demolition through rebuild.
- Anyone who values a long-standing local company over a national franchise for emergency restoration.
About this company
A&I Fire and Water Restoration operates out of 3301 Merchant Court in Wilmington, one of four offices across North and South Carolina. They started in 1974, which puts them past the 50-year mark in coastal restoration work. Founder Danny Isaac still holds the title of President. CEO Todd Setzer joined in 2010 after using A&I as a customer following the Highway 31 wildfires, and became a partner in ownership in 2023.
For mold work, the Wilmington office uses containment barriers, negative air pressure, and HEPA filtration. Their technicians hold Clean Trust certification. The website lists mold remediation services including structural cleanings, content cleaning, and demolition, but they do not perform mold testing or inspection in-house. That separation means a third party handles testing, which removes the financial incentive to find problems they then get paid to fix.
A&I has won multiple Readers Choice awards across the Cape Fear, Charleston, and Horry County markets. Todd Setzer was named to B2B: The Grand Strand Magazine's 50 Most Influential list in January 2024 and chairs the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce board.
Their 4.7-star rating across 66 Google reviews is strong, and the absence of any negative reviews in the last 18 months is unusual for a restoration company handling emergency work. Reviewers consistently name individual technicians, which suggests stable staffing rather than high turnover.
Services
Service area
A&I's Wilmington office is at 3301 Merchant Court, Suite A, Wilmington, NC 28405. They list coverage across New Hanover, Brunswick, Onslow, and Pender counties, naming Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Castle Hayne, Ogden, Porters Neck, Rocky Point, Burgaw, Southport, Shallotte, Oak Island, Sneads Ferry, and other coastal communities. The company also operates offices in Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Florence, SC.
Review consensus
Fast emergency response is the most consistent theme. Judy Norris reported a 30-minute arrival. Glenda DeBose said the team arrived within an hour on a same-day call. Reviewers repeatedly name Brianna for warmth and empathy during stressful situations (Susan Early, Trish Ellis, Chris Donnellan, Ray). Wayne Dearstine draws praise as a supervisor who keeps homeowners informed throughout the process (Karen Shor, Kimberly Lee Costin, Janie Canty-Mitchell). Claudio gets credit for communicating clearly about timelines and next steps (Shannon, Jerra Jousma, Laura Jarosz). Thomas earned four mentions in recent months for politeness and thoroughness (Michael Brophy, Eve Brimberry, Barbara Donaldson, Linda Lee). Troy and Detroy are praised for knowledge and quality of work (Otis White, David Rakes, Serena Clark). Ryan and Jennifer are mentioned specifically for handling insurance paperwork (John Donovan, Kimberly Lee Costin).
0 found across 66 total reviews at 4.7★. No negative reviews (3 stars or below) appear in the last 18 months across 66 total reviews at 4.7 stars. This is uncommon for a restoration company and leaves no complaint patterns to analyze from the recency window.
Reviewers name individual technicians at an unusually high rate. Across 66 reviews, more than 15 distinct staff members are called out by name, often with specific details about what that person did. This suggests a culture where field technicians take personal ownership of jobs rather than rotating anonymously through assignments. It also makes it easier for prospective customers to request specific people.
Thomas (technician — praised by Michael Brophy, Eve Brimberry, Barbara Donaldson, Linda Lee for friendliness and thoroughness). Brianna/Bri/Bree (technician — praised by Linda Lee, John Donovan, Shannon, Don Snook, Ray, Trish Ellis, Susan Early, Chris Donnellan, Janie Canty-Mitchell for empathy and efficiency). Wayne Dearstine (supervisor — praised by Karen Shor, John Donovan, Kimberly Lee Costin, Glenda DeBose, Amanda Batten, Janie Canty-Mitchell, Janet rushing for communication and oversight). Claudio (technician — praised by John Titrington, Shannon, Don Snook, Glenda DeBose, Janie Canty-Mitchell, Jerra Jousma, Laura Jarosz, Amanda Batten for responsiveness and clear explanations). Troy/Detroy (technician — praised by Otis White, David Rakes, Serena Clark, John Donovan for skill and professionalism). Roberto (technician — praised by Don Snook, Morgan Sadler for going above expectations). Dakota (foreman — praised by Matt Hamlin for managing a total-loss fire restoration). Nolan (project manager — praised by sally densmore, Rick Sessa for coordination). Joe (project manager — praised by Jessica Carlton, Gloria Merritt Merritt for communication and trustworthiness). Ryan (insurance coordinator — praised by John Donovan, Janet rushing). Jennifer (billing — praised by Kimberly Lee Costin for handling payment questions). Sara Calderon (coordinator — praised by James Bright). Brooks (project lead — praised by Jessica Cochran for availability). Mark (technician — praised by Lauren Cavuoto for punctuality and cleanliness). Ray (technician — praised by Christine Bardo for promptness). Tommy (technician — praised by Bobby Brown). Dylan (technician — praised by sally densmore). Cliff, Jo Jo, Chase (technicians — praised by Janet rushing for mold ceiling work).
A&I has an unusually clean review record for a restoration company. Ask for Brianna or Wayne if your job involves water damage in the Wilmington area. For mold remediation specifically, confirm the scope of work in writing and arrange third-party testing before and after, since A&I does not handle testing themselves.
Keep in mind
- A&I does not perform mold testing or inspection. You will need a separate company for pre- and post-remediation testing, which adds coordination and cost.
- Their service area spans 16+ counties across two states. The Wilmington office covers New Hanover, Brunswick, Onslow, and Pender counties, but confirm response times for locations farther from their Merchant Court address.
- With four offices and a regional footprint, the technician assigned to your job may vary. Reviews name over 15 different staff members, so ask who will manage your project and whether that person stays consistent throughout.
- The website claims 1-hour emergency response. Multiple reviewers confirm same-day or within-30-minutes arrival, but these reviews are concentrated in the Wilmington metro area. Outlying towns like Shallotte or Sneads Ferry may see longer waits.
- A&I handles insurance claims and says they work with most major providers. Clarify upfront whether they bill your insurer directly or require you to pay and seek reimbursement.