FIRST ONSITE Property Restoration

Kyle ODonnell

2023-11

We had a flood / sewer backup in early October 2022. First Onsite was referred to us by our insurance company.At the beginning, everything seemed great, however, as other reviews mentioned, our experience with First Onsite in St. Louis (and Corporate) is an ongoing nightmare.Attempting to keep the details short:The scope of work essentially includes replacing the flooring, redoing two hall-sized full baths, dry-wall / trim, and paint in an ~1100sqft condo.Our contract date was 12/8/2023, ~2 months after the incident as that was the earliest they could meet (several contractors were backed up at the time).We were out of our home for ~10 months. Easily should have been less.As of Oct 31, 2023 the project is not 100% complete / finalized.List of Issues Throughout the Experience Include:Promises / expectations / response times practically vanished after signing the contract.Refusal to provide an expected completion date.No sense of urgency unless we complained to yet another higher level of management.Unprofessional and uncalled for communication / comments from laborers to upper-management to the Regional Corporate Counsel.Failure to listen / follow instructions resulting in several unnecessary delays, damage, and rip-out and re-dos.Failure to obtain permits in timely fashion despite being warned.Unacceptably sloppy work. See included pics*.No regard for our personal property. See included pics*.Losing and failing to replace parts of newly purchased materials.Replacing lost parts of newly purchased materials with lesser quality items.Damaging newly purchased materials during installation.Installing items after being instructed otherwise; making said items nonreturnable.Attempts to charge for work not completed.Reusing ripped out materials and attempting to charge for new replacement materials.Claiming to "make us whole" on damages and has failed to do so.In closing:First Onsite has made an already stressful life event even worse.Fortunately, due to other reviews, we were made aware of similar situations and fully documented our experience w/ over 600 pictures and videos along with countless emails.*Pictures were taken after the contractors left our property for the day (sometimes leaving it said way for days, weeks, or even months) or after they claim the "project is complete".

Janet Sullivan

2024-01

First Onsite was very professional . Mike and his crew were very polite. Left my house in a very manageable way and very clean. Could of not asked for nicer people to handle this very messy broken drain pipe in wall. They were also very nice to our crazy dogs. The main concern was the comfort and safety of my family and our animals.

Shawn Veninga

2024-02

Used these guys back in 2018 when they were CATCO now they are First Onsite (same guys) and had problems throughout the process of a rebuild from a fire for a multi family house. First, the manager that came out, Richard Johns, sold us on their general contractor and that he would be there every step of the way. Richard also said that the company just rolled out a new 5 year warranty on all workmanship which was a major buying decision to go with them. Shortly into the process of the build, their GC called me and said he was leaving. Then, when the project was finished up and they turned the water on in the building, the water started gushing out of the first floor apartments. They pointed fingers and said they put it back the way it was but we had four meters to start before the fire and the plumber just jacked up the work. They refused to pay for the repairs until it went for a month. I refused to pay for their mistake and they finally paid for the labor to repair the water damage and I agreed to pay half for the plumber to come back out and fix the plumbing (which I probably should have even done that).Fast forward to 5 years later to me reaching back out to them to get some warranty work taken care of. The initial paperwork said 3 years warranty and they promised with the new program to get the 5 year warranty paperwork out once it was issued. Well, now they are not covering their 5 year warranty work as promised. These folks were shady all the way through and I would be very careful when dealing with them. I will be trying to file a BBB complaint against them this week to see if that is an avenue I can still pursue.Either way, buyer beware of these guys and their practices.

Tommy Siam

2024-01

I hired this company back in July for a restoration project at my house; had to call them back a second time because it wasn't done right. Even when they brought their so-called "expert," the work was still little more than half done. I requested a discount from the estimate based on the work my family and I ended up having to do ourselves. It took three months for me to get a response and it was "no" and a curt order for me to remit payment. They are very unprofessional in their email communications and handling of customer satisfaction issues. My suggestion if you need any type of restoration work would be to use another company.

Lee w

2023-08

First Onsite are top-notch Professional Restoration Specialists! This company was assigned for restoration repairs after having a broken water pipe under the concrete floor. They took over dealing with the insurance company, walked me through the process, and kept me in the loop every step of the way. The removals and repairs went well, the crew was attentive, courteous, and respected my home. Thanks, I appreciate the job that your crew did at my home.

mary konopka

2023-08

Micah really took the time to ensure all of our questions were answered, and he went out of his way to make sure things happened as they should. Isaiah also took loads of care and made sure we were informed every step of the way what was happening. The best part was the availability of Micah to answer a call, or get back to you right away! That was definitely appreciated. Everyone did such a good job. Very friendly and professional. The job looks great! Thank you for your hard work.

Marc Levitt

2023-07

Let me share my experience with First Onsite, a construction crew that goes beyond mere construction work. These folks are true experts at handling insurance companies. That's a vital skill when disaster strikes.Last December, a frozen pipe burst, causing significant damage to every room in my place. It was a catastrophic situation. Dealing with the insurance company was quite a challenge. Their adjuster underestimated the costs significantly and made multiple errors in his report. It took me weeks to figure out how to rebuild and set a budget.Then, someone recommended First Onsite, and I decided to give them a call. Dave Flynn and Steve Rogers promptly arrived and put together an estimate that greatly exceeded the insurance guy's initial assessment. Steve's experience in the insurance world proved valuable in crafting a solid estimate.I chose First Onsite as my construction crew and submitted their estimate to the insurance company for review. However, the company pushed back, claiming the estimate was too high.When we had a second adjuster reassess the damage, Steve and Dave accompanied him. "Let's start in the master bedroom and compare our estimate with the original adjuster's one," they said. As they walked through the rooms, it was evident that First Onsite had done incredibly thorough work.Soon enough, the adjuster requested First Onsite's digital files, conceding that they had covered all aspects well. There was no need for further negotiations; their work was rock-solid.I'm truly grateful for First Onsite's professionalism, accuracy, and expertise. They are not only skilled at what they do but also pleasant to work with. Dealing with the disaster and insurance battles was tough on my family, but working with First Onsite was a relief. It turned things around, and now we're finally on track and feeling hopeful for the first time.With a proper budget in place, we are now in the final review phase of the architect's plans, looking forward to starting the project with First Onsite at the helm. I'm confident it's going to be a smooth ride with them leading the way.

C Madison

2023-04

Have been working with this company for awhile. Micah has been with me since day one when I had my fire. He is always available to me with any questions I have. And actually looks out for my best interest. Ken is also great checks in with me on progress and also makes sure I'm okay. Steve is also great has stepped in also to make thing run smoothly this was a life changing experience for me Micah and Ken have made sure to take care of things so it's less stressful for me. And I appreciate them.

Christina Davis

2023-04

Quoted some flood damage for our insurance that has temporarily displaced two of my children from their bedrooms. Steve seemed really nice. We weren't sure how much we'd get for the repair, so we were on the fence about having flooring redone right away, so he said he would make a separate quote for the flooring so it could be removed easily if needed. Nearly word for word. I felt reassured that we'd finally have a contractor who would actually show up.Upon completion of the claim, getting the new quote that included new flooring from First Onsite, I thought we weren't getting enough from insurance to cover it so I said we wouldn't have his company do the flooring. At that point he told me it was all or nothing because it wouldn't be profitable enough without doing the flooring. He told me and our insurance agent that he would take off the flooring. Even if I asked for just the painting or a few small things to be taken off, he wouldn't do it.I don't appreciate being told one thing before the quote and then something different after. He cared more about making as much money as he could than helping us get our house put back together.I also found that he quoted the bathroom vanity removal and replacement. When I asked about it, he had the audacity to tell ME "The vanity was damaged by the water, FYI, that's why it's in the quote". When in fact, it was not damaged by the water. I pointed out to him, in person, how far the water reached and it stopped at least 10 feet from the bathroom. My insurance agent was not happy to hear about that part.I do not like working with dishonest companies that care more about money than their clients.

Rapping_Duke

2023-04

We had a water event in our upstairs bathroom, and the team at First Onsite assessed the level of damage, and begun remediation a few days after the event took place. The team worked around our schedule, and was able to expertly fix the issues, and even took on additional work outside of the contract. We basically have a new bathroom and it’s as if the issues never occurred. Micah and team did an excellent job.

Ben Mann

2023-04

First OnSite has been amazing to work with. When we needed our fence and garage secured due to damage Micah was out same day which was huge for us. We called a few places that insurance recommended and First OnSite seemed like they actually cared vs trying to secure payment upfront. You never want to deal with damage but working with Micah was a blessing since there was always an open line of communication and he made sure everything was completed to our liking. I don’t want to deal with damage again but if anything does come up, Micah will be my first call because I know he has my back. I could go on and on, so give them a call. They will help you out!

Jamey Pinkham

2023-04

Our insurance agent suggested we call First Onsite for reconstruction of damage done to our home. Micah, Steve, Mary and Chris were all very kind and stayed in wonderful communication! Our home turned out beautiful and they saw it through until the end. I definitely would recommend them to family and friends.

Mark Bumgarner

2023-04

Our garage was damaged badly by a car accident. Our insurance company obtained a bid that we were not happy with. We contacted First Onsite. They were very responsive and thorough. Their bid was almost double the original but much more appropriate. The project manager kept us informed throughout the process. The subs were competent and very pleasant. All in all, we were very pleased with the project.

Deborah Vinson

2023-04

I sustained damage to my garage in July of 2020. It took more than a year to have the repair completed. Months went by with no work being done, then workers would show up and no supplies had been delivered. Micah was nice and would return my calls timely, but the overall experience was negative. Would not use or recommend them.

Christine Mitchell

2023-04

Can't thank First Onsite Restoration enough for providing great workmanship and care when restoring my home that had significant damage from a tenant. From the project manager (Micha), office staff and construction staff I was treated with care and respect. There was significant damage to the entire home interior as well as exterior that was restored to better than it had ever been. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again be it for restoration or home remodeling, thank you

Tiarra Union

2023-04

First on site made a very stressful situation bearable. This is a very professionals and knowledgeable contractor. I was kept informed about every detail and they went the extra mile. I love my new kitchen and it was a pleasure working with first on site

Deb A

2023-04

First Onsite came to the rescue for my family. We used their services for significant mold remediation, complete restoration of the condo, and storage and mold remediation of all of the contents. The lead employees for each of these major (Mike, Micah, and Marsha) phases of our restoration project were professional, attentive, and kind throughout the entire process. They earned 5+ stars from me!

Dave Fogerty

2023-04

Very pleased with the initial inspection & the follow up with replacement items that needed including installation.Jon Stetzel was very flexible & professional during the process which worked well around my busy schedule.Thank you!!

Phyllis Newcomb

2023-04

Micah with First On-site was wonderful to work with. He always responded in a timely manner and went out of his way to make sure we were satisfied with his crew’s work. Well done!

Buddy Maupin

2018-04

If I could give them no stars I would have.I wasn't happy with the horrible work they were doing at my home after a fire, so I terminated the contract. When I received the final bill, they overcharged me for some things, charged me for things that they did not even do, and charged me for things that were done wrong.When I received the contents back, there were things that were not even mine! They didn't explain the process of recouping monies for things not cleaned properly. Thus, now not refunding monies for things not cleaned properly.I understand every company has to make money, but this company has completely taken making money to another level.Obviously, this is all my opinion, but I would not recommend this company to an enemy, much less a friend.

David Hauser

2023-04

This company did a nice job of taking care of our needs. Micham followed up with us numerous times and paid attention to detail. I would recommend them for your needs. A special thanks to Micham the project mananger.Dave Hauser

Rosemary Hill

2019-04

I am a homeowner in north St. Louis in Dellwood.. Black female. A representative from Catco came out and did an evaulation of the fire damage in my kitchen. I was told after the evaulation I would be contacted. I waited a number of weeks and no one got in touch with me. I called the company to see what was the matter and was told my file was in the office and someone would get in touch with me...which was a lie. Still no one contacted me. Catco is not the only game in town. I am not sure but my job is a small job. I live in north st louis...or is it because of my race??? I do not know but this company was very unprofessional in their dealings with me. To wait and wait and no response from whether the work would be accepted is.. very unprofessional and not proper business etiquette. I do not know if it is because I am a Black female living is North St Louis as to why my business was not accepted but my hunch is PROBABLY correct. I give this company one star for professionalism. Very disappointed in the way my business was handled.

John Sippel

2019-04

What a huge help on my recently distressed property. We purchased a home that was in need of a ton of work and CATCO really helped with the plumbing, electrical, drywall and other needs to get our home in move-in condition. Really appreciated the help from David and the crew who completed the work just-in-time for our scheduled move-in. Thank you CATCO

Kaitlin Alexander

2021-04

Would give this company negative stars if I could. Had water damage back in August and my kitchen was torn out. It is now October 22 and they have not even completed replacing the drywall. Every day they say someone will be by tomorrow. If I didn't have to go through my landlord's insurance, I would have already outsourced the work. DO NOT USE CATCO!Service: Water damage-related cleanup & repair

DENNIS ALBANELLO

2021-04

We moved into a new house in February. We had CATCO come out to clean the ductwork after all of the dust settled. It is amazing how much dust was in the ductwork. The crew was very professional and cleaned the ducts thoroughly. I would recommend CATCO.

Joseph Miller

2020-04

Catco was contracted by my FIL to demo our garage, fill in the yard and put up a fence. The only reason they are getting a star at all is because of the fence. The fence is level and in good working order. The latch is a little off but not that big of an issue.What is an issue, is the lack of communication, the lack of professionalism and the lack of integrity. The garage demo was pushed back by over a month, at which point we were cited by the city. Once demolished, they failed to clean up their work area. Glass, shingles and wood we’re littered all over the yard where my five year old son plays. The “fill dirt” (if you could call it that) was washed away as the fence wasn’t built for another two weeks.Once the fence was built, they failed to replenish the washed out “fill dirt” until Tuesday of this week(which was finally fill dirt). At which point, they took down a section of the fence and moved the plastic we put in place to prevent further erosion. They put the dirt in and said they’d be back later to finish leveling the yard and to put back up the fence. That was over a day ago. This neglect led to the rain washing away a portion of the fill dirt yet again!Absolutely unacceptable.

Stephen Benz

2018-04

My company used Catco to perform some Sewer lines remediation, and they were simply Awesome! Excellent communications, quick response, tremendous quality job under difficult circumstances. I strongly recommend Catco!

eLeN eN

2017-04

DON'T have them clean for you! It cost me $55,000.00 to have my furniture from 1990 cleaned and it's now all falling apart from the chemicals! It came out of insurance contents money, but I could've had a house full of brand new, quality furniture for that price.Sort through items yourself and clean what you want to salvage with the special cleaning agents at don jon.

Amber Schlottach

2023-04

Mary D was excellent help

D Snow

2020-04

Good