Provider profile
SERVPRO of Reading
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Reading-area homeowners dealing with mold after water damage who want a single franchise to handle testing, remediation, and reconstruction under one roof.
Best for
- Homeowners in Reading, Wyomissing, or surrounding Berks County towns who need mold remediation after a water event and want one company to handle the entire process.
- Property owners who need mold colonies removed from structural materials using media blasting rather than standard scrubbing.
- Commercial property managers who need a franchise with 24/7 emergency response and insurance claim coordination.
- Buyers whose mold problem is tied to an active water intrusion issue and who want water mitigation and mold work from the same crew.
About this company
SERVPRO of Reading is a restoration franchise serving the Reading, Pennsylvania area from offices in Wyomissing and Douglassville. Owner Vince Fabiani runs a team that handles the full chain from water extraction through mold remediation to reconstruction. Mold is one piece of a broader restoration operation that also covers fire, storm, and commercial damage.
On the mold side, the team includes IICRC-credentialed Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians. Their website mentions media blasting to remove mold colonies from structural materials without destroying the substrate, containment procedures, HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, and antimicrobial treatments. They also do mold inspections and sampling in-house. The ability to handle water mitigation, mold remediation, and the subsequent rebuild under one company is genuinely unusual for a local operation, though that same bundling creates a conflict of interest on the testing side.
The SERVPRO brand has operated since 1967, and the Reading franchise claims over 60 years of combined team experience. Fabiani positions the operation as a full-service disaster response outfit, running both residential and commercial jobs across Berks County and surrounding areas. The team handles 24/7 emergency calls and works directly with insurance companies on claims.
The 4.3-star Google rating across 68 reviews is middling for a restoration company. Most of the positive reviews focus on water damage and fire recovery work rather than mold specifically, so buyers hiring for mold should ask for mold-specific references.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania with a listed address in Douglassville. Serves Reading, Kutztown, Exeter, Birdsboro, Hamburg, Douglassville, Boyertown, Gilbertsville, Morgantown, and Fleetwood. Coverage spans Berks County and portions of the surrounding tri-state area.
Review consensus
Dave Schaeffer is the most frequently named staff member, praised across multiple reviews for daily communication, insurance coordination, and treating homes with care. Tom Althouse draws commendations as a project manager for timeliness and courtesy. Ray gets called out for nailing restoration work. Trudy Slobodin named Joe, Thomas, Frank, and Nick as standouts. Reviewers consistently highlight fast response times, seamless insurance handling, and crews that treat properties carefully. Several reviews describe full basement reconstructions after flooding, with work described as exceeding expectations.
2 found across 68 total reviews at 4.3★. Two complaints in the recent window raise concerns about the estimate-to-service pipeline. Michael Kancianic, a Local Guide with 31 reviews, describes the company as willing to take insurance money for estimates but then declining jobs when the estimate is not lucrative enough. Renee Austrevich paid $250 and never received paperwork, an estimate, or any follow-up contact. Both owner responses used identical template language offering to discuss the feedback, without addressing the specific issues raised.
The two recent 1-star reviews share a common thread: the company collects payment or engages with insurance but then disengages before delivering results. This could reflect a franchise operation prioritizing larger or more profitable jobs over smaller ones. The template owner responses reinforce this impression, as neither reply acknowledges the specific complaint or offers a concrete resolution. Meanwhile, the positive reviews overwhelmingly describe large-scale water and fire restoration projects, suggesting the company invests its best effort in bigger jobs.
Dave Schaeffer (project manager/coordinator — praised repeatedly for communication, insurance help, and care). Tom Althouse (project manager — praised for timeliness and courtesy). Ray (technician — praised for quality work). Tim (technician — praised for mold detection and willingness to explain findings). Stephen (contractor — praised for exceeding expectations on repairs). Corey (crew lead — praised for efficiency and professionalism). Jeff Reid (technician — praised for helpfulness and knowledge). Joe (crew member — praised). Thomas (crew member — praised). Frank (crew member — praised). Nick (crew member — praised). Victor Matthews (worker — praised for quality). Eric (crew member — praised). Dan (technician — praised for hard work). Chris (technician — praised for hard work).
SERVPRO of Reading has strong reviews for large water and fire restoration projects, with Dave Schaeffer and Tom Althouse consistently delivering good communication and results. Ask for Dave or Tom if your project is mold-related and get a written scope before any payment. Watch for the estimate-to-abandonment pattern described in recent complaints, especially if your job is on the smaller side.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold testing and mold remediation. The company that finds the mold also profits from fixing it. Get an independent mold test before signing a remediation contract, or ask them to use a third-party lab for sampling.
- Two recent 1-star reviews describe being charged for estimates or services that were never delivered. One reviewer paid $250 and received no paperwork or follow-up. Ask for a written scope of work and timeline before any money changes hands.
- The 4.3-star rating is below average for restoration companies in the area. Most negative complaints involve communication breakdowns after initial contact rather than quality of finished work.
- Owner responses to negative reviews follow a template pattern rather than addressing specific complaints. This suggests reputation management rather than individual problem-solving.
- Most positive reviews reference water and fire damage work. Mold-specific testimonials are limited, so ask for references from recent mold remediation jobs specifically.