Hardly anyone thinks about the average cost of a crime scene cleanup before disaster strikes. If the need arises, calling a cleaning service is the last thing on your mind. But, even though youre in the midst of a tragedy, its something that needs to be done.
After a Crime Scene there is a cleanup process
Crime scene cleanups will definitely cost more than a standard restoration cleanup after a flood or a fire. That being said, most homeowner insurance policies should cover the majority of the expenses. Talk to your insurance company representative to find out does the policy cover crime scene cleanups, whats the policy limit, and how much is the deductible.
Once youve figured out your financing, pick up the phone and start calling cleaning companies. Here are some of the things you need to consider when evaluating the cost of a crime scene cleanup and which company is the best choice.
Estimating the Cost for Crime Scene Cleanup
Trying to estimate a crime scene cleanup cost is not an easy task to do without assessing the severity of the situations first and inspecting the space where the cleanup needs to be done. There are many variables to consider before even trying to come up with a rough estimate.
The main factor that impacts the overall cost is the number of rooms affected, followed by the type of flooring that needs to be cleaned, whether sub-flooring was effected, does drywall need to be removed, odor removal, paint jobs, air treatment, and so on.
Additionally, there is the cost of using protective equipment like ozone machines, air scrubbers, negative air machines, hospital grade disinfectants, respirators, and of course, special suits, and masks. Lastly, the disposal costs also have to be covered so that the biohazardous material is disposed of properly.
Because the crime scene cleanup industry is not as heavily regulated as some similar industries, there is a lot of price inflation going on. Its best that you try and get an estimate from a few companies before settling on a price. That being said, going with the most affordable option is not always ideal or practical. Again, because of the lack of regulations, there is a handful of companies operating with just a few certifications and little to no experience.
Choose the company that offers the most comprehensive estimate and remember to ask for their list of references. You can also check online reviews and see what other people have to say about them. Make sure that everything is covered to avoid additional costs later on. Having the company document the entire cleaning process and take before and after photos is also something to consider. This will be extremely valuable when filing for reimbursement with your insurance company.
Conclusion
When youre looking to hire professionals for cleaning up a crime scene, you want someone with a proven record of service. We at Spaulding Decon pride ourselves on being efficient, skilled, and cost-effective. Police departments often recommend us so its no wonder we are the preferred contractor for most insurance companies. Call us today for any type of biohazardous cleanup and well make sure to your home is back to its pre-incident condition in no time.