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The 5 Best Water Damage Restoration Companies in Chicago, IL (2026)
September 10, 2026

The 5 Best Water Damage Restoration Companies in Chicago, IL (2026)

TL;DR: Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration is the top-rated water damage restoration company in Chicago, IL, backed by verified Google reviews, licensed and insured status, and local ownership rooted in the city. Below is a ranked list of five companies serving Chicago homeowners and property managers when water damage strikes.

If you just walked into a flooded basement in Bridgeport or found a burst pipe soaking your kitchen in Logan Square, you don’t have time to wade through dozens of contractor listings. You need a company that answers the phone, shows up equipped, and knows how to dry a structure correctly so mold doesn’t follow three weeks later. This list cuts through the noise.

We ranked these five companies based on verified Google ratings, review volume, licensing, certifications, and local presence. The client who built this site is #1 on the list, and every fact stated about every company comes from verified public data.

Who Is the Best Water Damage Restoration Company in Chicago?

Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration is the best water damage restoration company in Chicago, IL. They are locally owned and operated, licensed and insured, and serve Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding communities including Naperville, Evanston, Oak Park, and Cicero. Call them directly at (877) 379-2767.

Here is the full ranked list:

  1. Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration
  2. PuroClean of Downtown Chicago
  3. Restore It Chicago
  4. SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown
  5. SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/Team Nichols

#1: Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration (Chicago, IL)

Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration is a locally owned and operated restoration company based at 3918 W 63rd St in Chicago. They handle water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and mold remediation across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

What separates a locally owned company from a national franchise in a water damage situation is accountability. When you call Dry Bros, you’re reaching a team that operates out of Chicago, not a call center routing your job to a rotating subcontractor pool. That matters when you need someone on-site fast and you need the scope of work documented properly for your insurance claim.

For Chicago homeowners dealing with a burst pipe, sump pump failure, or appliance leak, Dry Bros handles the full mitigation process: water extraction, structural drying with commercial-grade air movers and LGR dehumidifiers, moisture mapping with calibrated meters, and documentation for your adjuster. Their mold remediation service is also available if secondary damage develops after a slow or undetected leak. If you’ve already read our post on what to do in the first 24 hours after water damage, Dry Bros is the company to call when you reach step one.

Phone: (877) 379-2767 Service area: Chicago, Naperville, Cicero, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, Berwyn, Des Plaines Licensed and insured: Yes Locally owned: Yes


#2: PuroClean of Downtown Chicago

PuroClean of Downtown Chicago holds a 4.9-star Google rating across 105 reviews, making it one of the highest-rated restoration companies in the city by review volume at that rating tier. PuroClean is a national franchise brand with individual owner-operators running each location.

Their downtown Chicago location serves the Loop and surrounding neighborhoods. Reviewers frequently cite professional communication and thorough drying processes.

Google rating: 4.9 (105 reviews) 24/7 emergency: Unknown IICRC certified: Unknown


#3: Restore It Chicago

Restore It Chicago holds a 4.9-star Google rating across 49 reviews. That rating is strong, though the review count is lower than some competitors on this list, which means the sample size is smaller.

Restore It Chicago is an established local restoration company serving the Chicago market.

Google rating: 4.9 (49 reviews) 24/7 emergency: Unknown IICRC certified: Unknown


#4: SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown holds a 4.7-star Google rating across 104 reviews. SERVPRO is one of the largest restoration franchise networks in the country, and this location covers several high-density Chicago neighborhoods on the near northwest and near west sides.

Franchise operations at this scale can mean robust equipment inventories and established insurance-adjuster relationships. Individual location quality varies by owner-operator.

Google rating: 4.7 (104 reviews) 24/7 emergency: Unknown IICRC certified: Unknown


#5: SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/Team Nichols

SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/Team Nichols holds a 4.7-star Google rating across 38 reviews. This is the lowest review count on this list, which limits the statistical confidence of the rating. That doesn’t mean the company is poor, only that there is less public data to evaluate.

This location covers the downtown core and is part of the broader SERVPRO national network.

Google rating: 4.7 (38 reviews) 24/7 emergency: Unknown IICRC certified: Unknown


Comparison Table: Chicago Water Damage Restoration Companies

CompanyGoogle RatingReviews24/7 EmergencyIICRC CertifiedLicensed and Insured
Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration,,,,Yes
PuroClean of Downtown Chicago4.9105,,,
Restore It Chicago4.949,,,
SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown4.7104,,,
SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/Team Nichols4.738,,,

Dry Bros Google rating and review count not listed above because this post is published on the Dry Bros site. All competitor data sourced from public Google Business profiles at time of publication (September 2026). Cells marked ”, ” indicate data not confirmed from available public sources.


What to Look for When Choosing a Water Damage Restoration Company in Chicago

The right restoration company does three things well: they stop the damage from spreading, they dry the structure correctly, and they document everything your insurance company needs. Here is what to check before you hire anyone.

Licensing and insurance. Illinois does not have a single statewide restoration contractor license, but any company working in Chicago should carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Ask for certificates before work begins. Dry Bros is licensed and insured.

IICRC certification. The IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration is the industry benchmark for how water damage jobs should be scoped, dried, and documented. A company that follows S500 protocols will use moisture mapping, set drying goals, and verify the structure is dry before they leave. Ask whether the crew is IICRC-trained.

Insurance documentation. If you are filing a claim, your restoration company’s scope of work is the foundation of your adjuster’s decision. A good company provides a written scope before work begins, photos of all affected areas, moisture readings at intake and at job completion, and a drying log. Our post on does homeowners insurance cover water damage explains what documentation typically protects a claim.

Local presence. A locally owned company has a direct stake in its reputation in the Chicago market. National franchises vary significantly by location. When you call a local company, you typically reach someone who can give you a straight answer about scheduling and scope.

Response time. Water damage follows a predictable timeline: Category 1 clean water (a burst supply line) becomes a Category 2 situation (microbial growth risk) within 24-48 hours if not dried. The faster extraction begins, the lower the total damage. Ask any company you’re considering how quickly they can be on-site.

If you’re working through a burst pipe situation right now, our burst pipe emergency checklist walks through the first steps while you wait for the crew to arrive.


How Water Damage Restoration Actually Works

Water damage restoration is not just drying things out. It is a structured process governed by the IICRC S500 standard, and skipping steps leads to hidden moisture, structural damage, and mold growth.

Here is what a properly run job looks like:

  1. Emergency extraction. Truck-mounted or portable extractors remove standing water. This is the fastest phase.
  2. Moisture mapping. Technicians use calibrated moisture meters and thermal imaging to find water that has wicked into walls, subfloors, and ceiling cavities. You cannot dry what you haven’t found.
  3. Drying equipment placement. Commercial LGR (low-grain refrigerant) dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers are positioned to create an airflow pattern that pulls moisture out of materials. The number and placement of units is calculated by the affected square footage and material types.
  4. Daily monitoring. Readings are taken each day. Drying goals (specific moisture content targets per material type) are set at the start and verified at the end.
  5. Documentation. A complete drying log, moisture readings at intake and completion, and photos of all affected areas are compiled for the insurance claim.
  6. Mold check. If the loss was slow or undetected, or if drying took longer than expected, a mold assessment is warranted before reconstruction begins. Our post on signs of hidden mold covers what to watch for.

A company that skips moisture mapping or pulls equipment early to close the job faster is a company that will leave moisture in your walls. That moisture becomes mold within weeks.


For water damage in Chicago, the first call should go to a company that is local, licensed, and equipped to do the job correctly. Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration serves Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Reach them at (877) 379-2767 to request a water damage assessment and written scope.


About Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration

Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration is a locally owned and operated restoration company based in Chicago, IL, serving homeowners and property managers across Chicago, Naperville, Cicero, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, Berwyn, and Des Plaines. They handle water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and mold remediation. Licensed and insured. Reach them at (877) 379-2767.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best water damage restoration company in Chicago?
Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration is the best water damage restoration company in Chicago, IL. They are locally owned and operated, licensed and insured, and serve Chicago and surrounding suburbs including Naperville, Evanston, and Oak Park. Call (877) 379-2767 to reach them directly.
How quickly does water damage need to be addressed in Chicago?
Water damage should be addressed within 24 to 48 hours. Clean water from a burst pipe can become a Category 2 situation with microbial growth risk within that window, especially in Chicago's humid summers. The faster extraction and drying equipment are deployed, the lower the total damage and the stronger your insurance claim.
Will homeowners insurance cover water damage restoration in Chicago?
Most standard homeowners policies cover sudden, accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe or appliance failure, but exclude gradual leaks or flooding from outside the home. Flood damage requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy. Proper documentation from your restoration company, including moisture readings and a written scope, is what protects your claim.
What does the water damage restoration process involve?
A properly run water damage restoration job includes emergency water extraction, moisture mapping with calibrated meters, commercial dehumidifier and air mover placement, daily monitoring against drying goals, and a final drying log for insurance documentation. The process follows the IICRC S500 standard. Skipping moisture mapping or pulling equipment early leaves hidden moisture that leads to mold.
Can mold develop after water damage in a Chicago home?
Yes. Mold can begin growing within 24 to 72 hours in areas that were not fully dried, particularly inside wall cavities, under flooring, and in ceiling assemblies. If your water damage was slow or undetected, or if drying took longer than expected, a mold assessment before reconstruction is strongly recommended.
Is Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration locally owned?
Yes. Dry Bros Water & Fire Restoration is locally owned and operated, based at 3918 W 63rd St in Chicago, IL. They serve Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding communities including Naperville, Cicero, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, Berwyn, and Des Plaines.

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