Provider profile
1-800 Water Damage of Cleveland West
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Cleveland West homeowners and commercial property managers in Cuyahoga, Lorain, or Medina County dealing with water damage that has led to mold growth.
Best for
- Homeowners in western Cuyahoga, Lorain, or Medina County who need water damage and mold handled by the same crew in one engagement.
- Basement flood situations requiring same-day water extraction—multiple reviewers confirm they arrived and began work within hours.
- Commercial property managers needing after-hours or weekend remediation work for occupied buildings.
- Buyers who want a BELFOR-backed franchise with local staff rather than a solo operator—the national brand provides equipment and process standards.
- First-time homeowners unfamiliar with the restoration process—Emily Eichner specifically praised Chris for patience and honesty during her first claim.
About this company
1-800 Water Damage of Cleveland West operates out of North Royalton, Ohio, and covers Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Medina Counties. They handle water damage restoration, mold remediation, fire and smoke damage, and sewage cleanup. The franchise is backed by BELFOR, the global property restoration company, and follows IICRC S520 guidelines for mold remediation. Vishal Patel runs the local operation.
Their equipment list includes thermal imaging cameras, low-grain dehumidifiers, HEPA air movers, and industrial-strength desiccants. They hold EPA Lead Safe certification. The website emphasizes commercial work—condos, office buildings, apartment complexes, schools, healthcare settings—but the majority of their Google reviews describe residential jobs: basement floods, bathtub leaks, attic mold.
Two reviews stand out for honesty signals. Mariah Peterson wrote that they did not upsell mold services when mold was not present and instead guided a DIY fix. Stephanie Gould reported a similar experience: they assessed her property, determined there was no mold, and suggested a dehumidifier. For a company that does both testing and remediation, walking away from billable work is worth noting.
A 5.0-star rating across 46 Google reviews is rare. Most of that comes from Chris and Tru, a two-person crew that appears in more than a dozen reviews for fast response and clear explanations.
Services
Service area
Based in North Royalton, Ohio. Serves Cuyahoga County (including Cleveland, Lakewood, Rocky River, Bay Village, Westlake, North Olmsted, Strongsville, Berea, Bedford), Lorain County (including Elyria, North Ridgeville, Avon), and Medina County (including Medina, Wadsworth). The three-county coverage area is consistent with the volume of reviews from different neighborhoods.
Review consensus
Chris and Tru appear together in over a dozen reviews as the primary field crew. Reviewers consistently describe same-day or next-day arrival, clear explanations of what was happening and why, and no pressure to buy services they did not need. Vishal Patel shows up in several reviews as the point of contact who arranges inspections and answers questions before work begins. Shane pairs with Tru on some jobs and draws similar praise. Brian received a callout for being punctual and knowledgeable. Two separate reviewers—Mariah Peterson and Stephanie Gould—specifically noted the company told them mold remediation was unnecessary and suggested cheaper alternatives.
1 found across 46 total reviews at 5.0★. Chris M left a 1-star review describing a billing dispute after water damage work. The reviewer claims the bill was inflated with charges for work they performed themselves, that the owner said profiting from insurance was illegal while the general manager said they could make some money, and that contractors were paid before the final bill was provided. The reviewer updated an originally positive review after the billing disagreement escalated. The owner's response predates the negative edit and thanks Chris M for the original 5-star review, naming Chris and Tru as the crew—it does not address the billing complaint.
The single negative review is a billing dispute, not a workmanship complaint. Every negative and positive signal points to the same pattern: the field crew (Chris, Tru, Shane) gets strong marks for the physical work, but the business side—billing, insurance communication, final invoicing—is where friction occurs. The owner response to the negative review was written before the reviewer changed their rating, so it reads as a thank-you rather than a rebuttal. With only one negative review across 46, this is a one-off, not a pattern—but the specificity of the billing complaint (contradictory statements from two different staff members about insurance profit) warrants attention.
Chris (field technician — praised repeatedly across 15+ reviews for honesty, patience, and fast response). Tru (field technician — praised repeatedly, often paired with Chris or Shane, noted for hard work and clear communication). Vishal Patel (owner/operator — praised in several reviews for responsiveness and arranging inspections). Shane (field technician — praised in multiple reviews, paired with Tru). Brian (technician — praised once for punctuality and knowledge). Joshua John (staff — praised once for doing a great job). David (owner/responder — signs owner responses to reviews). Dave (technician — praised once alongside Chris for a 3-day basement job).
The field crew earns its 5.0-star rating through fast response and honest assessments—two reviewers confirm they were told mold work was unnecessary. Ask for Chris and Tru by name if your job involves water extraction or mold remediation. Get the final bill in writing before any work begins, and clarify upfront how insurance proceeds will be handled—the one negative review centers on exactly that ambiguity.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. That creates a conflict of interest: the same company deciding you have a problem is the one billing to fix it. Ask for the testing report and get a second opinion before approving remediation work.
- One reviewer reported a billing dispute involving contradictory statements from staff about whether it is acceptable to profit from an insurance claim. The owner response did not address the billing complaint directly.
- The website markets heavily to commercial clients, but nearly all reviews describe residential jobs. If you have a large commercial project, ask for commercial references specifically.
- This is a franchise, not an independent company. Service quality depends on the local owner-operator and crew, not the national brand. The current team—Chris, Tru, Vishal, Shane—drives the strong reviews.