Some states require flood damage specialists to be certified through the state. The certification is often centered around the removal and disposal of mold. Mold is one of the most common and most dangerous repercussions of water damage in a home. If your state does not require contractors to get certified for mold removal, then you should still look for those contractors. It is always advisable to find someone who has training on how to deal with something as toxic as mold.

It is quite common for a contractor will ask you for a down-payment on the work before he or she gets started. This is a completely normal request that you should feel comfortable fulfilling. However, you should never feel pressured into paying more than 25 or 30 per cent of the total estimated cost of the repairs.

Write out a contract between you and the contractor before he or she gets started. This contract does not have to be something that is legally binding in court. The purpose of the document is to make it clear to both parties what is expected in regards to the work being carried out. In the contract, you should plainly write out the extent of the work to be done and the payment terms agreed to between you and the contractor.