Provider profile
AWR Restoration & Cleaning
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Kent-area homeowners dealing with water damage that has led to mold, where AWR's 30-year track record and 90-minute emergency response time matter.
Best for
- Homeowners in Kent, Renton, Tukwila, or Covington who need water damage cleaned up and want one company to handle the full sequence from extraction through mold remediation.
- Landlords and property managers dealing with tenant-reported mold in rental units — multiple reviewers describe AWR handling rental property situations.
- Condo associations needing a restoration company willing to coordinate with boards of directors and multiple unit owners.
- Anyone facing a weekend or holiday emergency — AWR showed up on Christmas Eve for one customer with a flooded basement.
About this company
AWR Restoration & Cleaning is a Kent, Washington restoration company that has operated for over 30 years. Their primary identity is water damage restoration, but they also handle mold remediation, mold testing, fire damage, biohazard cleanup, sewer overflow, and asbestos work. They are locally owned and IICRC credential holders, and they bill insurance companies directly.
Their mold remediation process follows a structured sequence: containment with plastic sheeting, negative air pressure, HEPA air scrubbers running continuously, removal of contaminated porous materials, antimicrobial treatment of remaining surfaces, and moisture source correction. They also offer mold testing in-house, which means they can both diagnose and fix the problem — a convenience, but also a conflict of interest worth understanding before you hire them. Their 90-minute emergency response guarantee is a specific, measurable commitment that most competitors in the Kent area do not advertise.
Dwayne Palmer runs the company and is active in the business — multiple reviewers mention working directly with him. The team has changed over the years, with earlier reviews naming Austin, Eric, Jim, and Cullen, and more recent reviews highlighting Lamar and Cristian. The company has also donated to local low-income apartment communities, suggesting genuine community roots in south King County.
57 Google reviews at 4.7 stars with no negative reviews in the last 18 months is a strong showing. The review volume is modest, but the consistency is notable — nearly every review is 5 stars, and named staff appear repeatedly across different customers.
Services
Service area
AWR Restoration & Cleaning is headquartered in Kent, Washington. Their website lists service area pages for Tukwila, Maple Valley, Covington, Maplewood, and Renton. Blog posts reference work in Meredith, SeaTac, Benson Hill, and Orillia, and the homepage claims coverage across Washington state — though their review base is concentrated in south King County.
Review consensus
Reviewers consistently highlight on-time arrivals, courtesy calls before showing up, and clear explanations of the work being done. Lamar appears in five separate reviews and draws praise for efficiency, attention to detail, and communication — including from a landlord who described a difficult tenant situation. Cristian (also spelled Christian) is named in three reviews for friendliness and explaining restoration options. Dwayne is praised by name for promptness and attention to detail. Jim appears in seven reviews as the person coordinating jobs, sending crews, and helping with insurance. Earlier reviews frequently name Austin and Eric as a reliable field pair.
0 found across 57 total reviews at 4.7★. No 1-star or negative reviews in the last 18 months. The only sub-5-star review in the dataset is a 4-star from 2021 where the customer felt the price of $4,700 for about 150 square feet was too high, though they acknowledged the work itself was done well.
The review timeline shows clear staff turnover — Austin, Eric, Cullen, and Jim dominate reviews from 2020-2021, while Lamar and Cristian appear in 2024-2025 reviews. This is common in restoration companies with field crews, but worth noting because the people praised in older reviews may no longer be on staff. The consistency of praise themes (communication, punctuality, courtesy calls) across both eras suggests these are company standards rather than individual habits.
Lamar (field technician — praised in 5 reviews for efficiency, detail, and communication). Cristian/Christian Avey (field technician — praised in 3 reviews for friendliness and explaining solutions). Brian (field technician — praised alongside Lamar for keeping customer updated). Dwayne/Dwayne Powell (owner — praised for promptness, integrity, and attention to detail). Miguel (field technician — praised for being respectful and knowledgeable). Jim (office/management — praised in 7 reviews for coordinating crews and helping with insurance). Austin (field technician — praised in 10+ older reviews for consistent, reliable work). Eric (field technician — praised in 8 older reviews alongside Austin). Cullen/Collen Lyons (field technician — praised for meticulous demolition and containment work). Zack Gragg-McRae (field technician — praised for hard work on mitigation). Teilor/Tielor Cronin (field technician — praised for quick, quality work). Donald (field technician — praised for courtesy and communication). Sarah (office staff — described as nice to work with). Tyrell (field technician — praised as part of crew). Nick (field technician — praised for courtesy). CJ (field technician — praised for being helpful and friendly).
AWR has an unusually clean review record for a restoration company — no complaints in 18 months and consistent praise across staff changes. Ask for Lamar or Cristian if your job involves mold. Get a written estimate upfront, since the one pricing complaint suggests costs can run high, and confirm that your specific city is within their active service area.
Keep in mind
- AWR does both mold testing and mold remediation. That means the same company telling you whether you have a mold problem is also the one billing you to fix it. Ask whether they will accept a third-party test, or request that an independent lab handle your testing.
- Their website lists service areas including cities well outside the south King County core — Meredith, Orillia, and SeaTac appear in blog posts. Confirm they will actually send a crew to your location before scheduling.
- Pricing came up in the one 4-star review: a customer was charged $4,700 for roughly 150 square feet and felt it was high. Get a written estimate with square footage breakdowns before work begins.
- Most of the review volume is for water damage work, not mold-specific jobs. If you need mold remediation specifically, ask how many mold-only projects they finish per month.