What should I do first after water damage in Orlando?
For water damage restoration in Orlando, the first 48 hours decide how big the job gets: stop the water source, get standing water out, start drying, and document everything for your insurance claim before anyone tears out drywall. Central Florida's heat and humidity work against you — on wet framing and drywall, mold can start within 24 to 48 hours, so a slow response is what turns a $1,500 problem into a gut renovation. Move fast on drying, but slow down on hiring: verify the license and get the scope in writing before you sign.
Key takeaways
- Stop the source and start drying immediately — in Florida humidity, mold can begin within 24–48 hours.
- Document the damage with photos and video before cleanup, then open your insurance claim.
- You choose your own restoration company; you are not bound to a door-knocker's referral.
- Any mold remediation over 10 square feet must be done by a DBPR-licensed mold remediator.
- Don't pay a large upfront deposit — Florida law ties deposits over 10% to permit and start-work deadlines.
Table of contents
- The first 48 hours
- Document before you clean
- Does the company need a license?
- The post-storm door-knocker problem
- What a real restoration scope looks like
- Where to start in Orlando
- FAQ
The first 48 hours
The clock, not the calendar, runs this job. Shut off the water at the source — a supply line, a failed water heater, a roof leak, or storm intrusion — and if it's a plumbing failure, kill the main. Get standing water out with whatever you have, then move air: fans, the AC running cold to pull humidity, and a dehumidifier if you own one.
The reason Orlando homeowners can't wait is the climate. The EPA notes that mold can begin growing on a wet surface within 24 to 48 hours, and our year-round humidity keeps materials damp longer than they would stay in a drier state. Pull up soaked rugs, lift furniture off wet carpet, and open wet wall cavities to air only if it's safe to do so. The faster things dry, the less gets thrown away.
Document before you clean
Before you haul anything to the curb, photograph and video everything — wide shots of each room and close-ups of the source and the damage. Save receipts for anything you buy (a wet/dry vac, fans, tarps) and keep damaged items until your adjuster says otherwise.
Then open the claim with your insurer. You generally have the right to choose your own water damage restoration company rather than being handed one. A good restoration company will also document moisture readings room by room — that paper trail is what supports the claim and proves the structure actually dried, not just the surface.
Does the company need a license?
Water extraction and structural drying are not, by themselves, a single state-licensed trade in Florida — but most real restoration jobs cross into work that is licensed. The clearest line is mold: under Chapter 468 of the Florida Statutes, any mold remediation on an area larger than 10 square feet must be performed by a mold remediator licensed through the DBPR. Structural repairs need a licensed general or building contractor, and any plumbing repair needs a licensed plumber.
So the practical rule is to verify the specific license for the specific work. Search the company on the state portal and confirm the status reads "Current, Active." If water damage has gone far enough to need mold work, that's not a gray area — ask for the mold license number and check it. If the same company is handling mold remediation, the license is non-negotiable.
The post-storm door-knocker problem
After a hurricane — Central Florida saw it with Ian in 2022 and Milton in 2024 — out-of-area crews canvass flooded neighborhoods offering immediate help. Some are legitimate. Many are "storm chasers" who collect a deposit, do a partial tear-out, and disappear, leaving you to find a real company to finish.
The stance worth holding: be skeptical of anyone who shows up uninvited after a storm. Established local companies are usually booked solid, not knocking on doors. Before you let anyone start, verify the license yourself, confirm they carry liability insurance, and never sign over your insurance benefits or hand a large check to a stranger in your driveway. If you want to vet a contractor the right way, our guide on how to verify a contractor's license in Florida walks through it, and the steps in what to do after a hurricane cover the wider recovery.
What a real restoration scope looks like
A trustworthy restoration company puts the job in writing before tearing anything out. The scope should name what's being removed, what's being dried in place, the equipment going in, and how they'll confirm the structure is dry — not just "we'll handle it." Use the comparison below as a quick gut check.
| Green flag | Red flag |
|---|---|
| Written scope with moisture readings and a drying plan | "We'll figure out the cost as we go" |
| Verifiable DBPR license for mold or structural work | No license number, or "we don't need one in Florida" |
| Asks for little or no money down | Demands a large cash deposit on the spot |
| Local address and references you can check | Out-of-state plates, magnetic door signs, no fixed address |
| Documents everything for your insurer | Pressures you to sign over insurance benefits |
On deposits specifically, Florida Statute 489.126 gives you leverage: once a contractor accepts more than 10 percent of the contract price, they must apply for any required permits within 30 days and start the work within 90, or refund you. A company demanding most of the money upfront with no plan is the pattern that statute exists to stop.
Where to start in Orlando
Once the water is off and the room is drying, line up a licensed company instead of grabbing the first number you find. Our water damage restoration directory and the Orlando city page list local companies, and the full directory covers the surrounding Central Florida counties. Shortlist two or three, verify each license on the DBPR portal yourself, and ask each one how they'll prove the structure is dry before they close the walls back up. For broader storm recovery, the FEMA flood-recovery resources are a neutral reference for what comes next.
FAQ
How quickly do I need to act after water damage in Orlando? Fast. In Central Florida's humidity, mold can begin growing on wet drywall and framing within 24 to 48 hours. Stop the water source, remove standing water, and start drying immediately while you line up a restoration company.
Does a water damage restoration company in Florida need a license? Water extraction and drying are not a single state-licensed trade, but the moment the job involves mold remediation on more than 10 square feet, Florida law requires a DBPR-licensed mold remediator. Plumbing and structural repairs need the matching contractor license.
Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first? Stop the water and document the damage first, then call your insurer to start the claim. You generally choose your own restoration company — you are not required to use whoever a contractor or a door-knocker recommends.
How do I avoid water damage restoration scams after a storm? Be skeptical of crews who show up uninvited after a hurricane, verify every license on the state DBPR portal, get the scope in writing, and never hand over a large upfront deposit before work or permits are in place.
How much deposit should a restoration company ask for? Be cautious about paying more than a small percentage upfront. Under Florida law, once a contractor takes more than 10 percent of the contract price they must pull any required permits within 30 days and start work within 90.
Will mold always grow after water damage? Not always, but the risk is high in Florida if drying is slow or incomplete. Water inside walls and under flooring is what causes hidden mold, which is why thorough drying and moisture readings matter more than how the surface looks.