Provider profile
Restoration 1 of Cincinnati
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Lebanon and greater Cincinnati homeowners dealing with basement water damage or post-flood mold, backed by a franchise owner who answers his own phone and shows up same-day.
Best for
- Lebanon, Mason, and greater Cincinnati homeowners with flooded basements from sump pump failures, burst pipes, or storm water.
- Homeowners who discovered mold after water damage and want one company to handle both the water restoration and the mold remediation under a single scope.
- First-time homeowners dealing with their first water emergency who need someone to walk them through the insurance process.
- Insurance agents looking for a restoration partner who will do free inspections and let policyholders decide whether to file a claim.
About this company
Restoration 1 of Cincinnati is a franchise location based in Lebanon, Ohio, serving the Cincinnati metro area. The company handles water damage, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration for both residential and commercial properties. Stephen Slezak owns and operates this location, and reviewers consistently describe him as the person who answers the phone, shows up for estimates, and stays involved through project completion.
The website lists IICRC-certified technicians and references HEPA-filtered equipment, containment, and negative air pressure for mold work. They follow the ANSI/IICRC S520 standard for mold remediation and the S500 standard for water damage. They also offer crawlspace encapsulation, air duct cleaning, sewage cleanup, and pack-out services for contents storage during restoration. The company works directly with insurance carriers and offers free initial inspections so homeowners can decide whether to file a claim or pay out of pocket.
Restoration 1 is a national franchise brand that calls itself the largest independent restoration company in the country. This Cincinnati location operates as a locally owned franchise, which means it benefits from national training and resources while being run by a local owner-operator. Multiple reviewers, including insurance agents, describe referring clients to this location specifically because of their responsiveness.
4.8 stars across 69 Google reviews with zero negative reviews in the last 18 months is a strong record. The volume is modest, but the consistency is notable: reviewers across a three-year span name the same people (Stephen and Travis) and praise the same traits (fast response, honest communication, fair pricing).
Services
Service area
Based in Lebanon, Ohio (Warren County), about 35 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati. The company serves the greater Cincinnati metro area. Reviews mention jobs in Lebanon, Cincinnati, and the Dayton area. The franchise serves both residential and commercial properties across the region, though most reviews describe jobs in Warren and Hamilton counties.
Review consensus
Stephen Slezak dominates the reviews. Reviewers describe him answering his phone on evenings and weekends, arriving same-day, explaining the process clearly before starting work, and following up throughout the project. Travis draws praise for cleanup and demolition work, with multiple reviewers calling out his hands-on effort. Amanda Cobb, a Local Guide with 16 reviews, noted honest communication and reasonable pricing. Barbara Smith, another Local Guide, described being displaced for four months after a sewer backup and said the team treated her like family. Several insurance agents (Gregory Wallace II, Brittney Barnes, Thomas Edney) specifically recommend this company for their responsiveness and communication with adjusters.
0 found across 69 total reviews at 4.8★. No negative reviews in the last 18 months. There is nothing to report in this window.
The review pattern reflects a small, owner-operated franchise where the owner (Stephen) is personally involved in most jobs. This creates the strong consistency reviewers describe but also means capacity is limited. Several reviews mention Stephen by name as the person who answered the phone, gave the estimate, and checked on the work in progress. That level of owner involvement is a strength signal for quality but a risk factor for scaling or availability during busy periods like spring flooding.
Stephen Slezak (owner — overwhelmingly positive, named in 25+ reviews for responsiveness, communication, and hands-on involvement). Travis (crew lead/technician — positive, praised for cleanup work, demolition, and professionalism in 8+ reviews). Kyle (former staff or associate — positive, mentioned in older reviews from 2020-2021 for communication and mold sample collection). Ricky (staff — positive, mentioned alongside Kyle in one review). Tim (technician — positive, mentioned once for good work). Rodney (technician — positive, mentioned once alongside Tim). Jennifer (staff — positive, mentioned once for coordination). Dustin (technician — positive, mentioned once for cleanup). Jerry (technician — positive, mentioned once for cleanup). Tom (technician — positive, mentioned once for cleanup).
Ask for Stephen when you call. He runs this operation personally and reviewers consistently confirm he picks up the phone, shows up fast, and communicates honestly about scope and pricing. If your job involves mold, ask upfront whether they will use a third-party lab for testing or handle it in-house, so you understand the chain of accountability before work begins.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. A company that finds the mold and then sells you the fix has a financial incentive to find more than exists. Ask whether they will accept a third-party test or provide one from an independent lab.
- This is a franchise location of a national brand. The local experience depends entirely on Stephen Slezak and his crew. If ownership or staffing changes, the quality reviewers describe could change with it.
- Most reviews describe water damage work, not mold remediation specifically. Only a handful mention mold jobs directly. If your situation is mold-only with no water damage component, ask about their mold-specific experience and how many standalone mold projects they handle per year.
- The address is in Lebanon, Ohio, about 35 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati. Response times to the west side of Cincinnati or northern Kentucky may be longer than reviews suggest for Lebanon-area jobs.