Gone are the times when we only had a handful of crime scene cleaning companies. Now, one Google search will reveal plenty of crime scene cleaners that can be of service to you during this traumatic and emotionally taxing time. Therefore, it pays to know what to ask before hiring a crime scene cleaner.

What is Crime Scene Cleanup?

Crime scene cleanup, also called bioremediation, is when the relevant experts will sanitize and clean the crime scene and restore it to its original condition, i.e., make it livable again. Unfortunately, if you have encountered a crime scene at your home or workplace, you should hire crime scene cleaners instead of settling for standard cleaning services.

This is mainly because standard cleaning companies do not have the appropriate equipment and means to get rid of biological waste the same way that crime scene cleaners do. Moreover, human blood can lead to bloodborne pathogens, which can spread a host of diseases. This is why crime scene cleaners are certified in treating a crime scene while ensuring compliance.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Crime Scene Cleaner

Asking the right questions will help you choose the right crime scene cleaner. This is very important. After all, when you have witnessed or undergone a traumatic event, the last thing you want is the lingering after-effects of the trauma on the spot where this happened.

To make your job simpler, we have shortlisted the most important questions you should ask before hiring a crime scene dealer who is right for your situation and circumstances.

1.    What is Your Response Time?

When we talk of crime scenes and traumatic events, you need immediate assistance. You can’t wait for help to arrive, so in essence, you need a crime scene cleaning company with a quick response time. This way, the cleaners would be able to prevent the biohazards from spreading and ensure fast remediation. For this reason, you should strictly choose local crime scene cleaning companies so that their help can arrive fast. Any place that offers a response time of less than an hour is highly advised.

2.    What Times Are You Available?

We all know the unfortunate events occur unprecedented. This could be during the wee hours of the night or late in the evening. Either way, you need assistance as soon as an incident occurs. For this reason, you should ask the crime scene cleaning company about their operating hours. Preferably, you choose one that is available 24/7, understanding the gravity and the unexpected nature of such events.

3.    Is Your Company Certified?

Your chosen crime scene cleaning company should have the relevant certifications. Otherwise, you might as well just settle for a standard cleaning company! Ask the crime scene cleaners if they are IICRC certified and thus capable of handling all the little details to ensure you bear no burden during this difficult time.

4.    What is Your Process for Handling Biohazardous Waste?

We know that crime scene cleaners are certified to dispose of biohazardous waste. But as a customer, you should ask them how exactly they’ll achieve this. This will give you insight into how effective they would be and allow you to make an informed decision about hiring them. You should ensure your chosen company uses the right protective gear and equipment that is crucial to safely disposing of any waste.

5.    What All Does Your Crime Scene Cleanup Include?

You should also ask your chosen company what all their crime scene cleanup service includes. Ideally, they should first perform an extensive crime scene cleanup. They should also take care of blood and odor removal, fingerprint dust, sanitization, and so forth. Make sure you ask what all falls under the domain of a crime scene? Some events that should fall under this are suicide, natural death, homicide, and industrial accidents.

6.    What Other Services Do You Offer in Tandem?

Water or fire damage is very common at a crime scene. This will cause damage to the property, which will need to be rectified. Instead of calling various companies to revive your property, you can just call the all-in-one company. Therefore, you should ask your chosen crime scene cleaning company what other services, if any, they offer. Ideally, they should have water damage restoration as well as fire and smoke damage restoration.

7.    What Would be Free Estimate? Does Insurance Cover It?

Since you need to choose a crime scene cleaning company that fits your budget, you should ask your shortlisted options for a free estimate and what all does insurance cover? Make sure you ask if they can raise a claim on your behalf, which will help take the burden off your shoulders during this difficult and traumatic time. With the free estimate, you can compare different crime scene cleaning companies and choose one that offers you the best value for money.

Get Professional Help

A crime scene mandates the services of a crime scene cleaner. You should let 911 Restoration of Miami help restore your residential or commercial property during this traumatic time.  With an extensive crime cleanup process and following services to go with it, they will help make your property livable and safe again.