In this episode of The Restoration Report, host Levi Stearns talks with Mike Missall of Reliable Contents to uncover a service most homeowners don’t know exists—but desperately need after a fire, flood, or major property loss. Unlike mitigation or construction work, contents restoration focuses on everything inside the home: clothing, furniture, electronics, keepsakes, collectibles, and personal property. As Mike explains, “If you shook a house upside down, everything that falls out—that’s what we handle.”
From FEMA Disaster Relief to Local Home Restoration
Mike’s background in disaster response began long before Reliable Contents. He spent years deployed with FEMA, helping families navigate life after hurricanes, typhoons, and natural disasters across the U.S. and Pacific territories—work that shaped his philosophy of calm, service-driven support.
While restoration losses may be smaller in scale than FEMA deployments, the emotional impact is the same: families are overwhelmed, unprepared, and unsure what to do next. Mike now applies that same “calm in the storm” approach to the contents side of the restoration industry, helping families rebuild their lives, not just their homes.
What Most Homeowners Don’t Know: Contents Coverage Is Already in Their Policy
One of the biggest surprises for homeowners? Contents restoration is usually covered by insurance, but most people don’t know it exists. Many believe they must pack and move everything themselves—or worse, throw belongings away before documenting them for insurance.
Reliable steps in before demolition begins, inventorying and packing every salvageable item, storing it in a climate-controlled warehouse, and returning it once repairs are complete. If an item cannot be restored, they help the insured receive full replacement value instead of being pressured into accepting partial reimbursement.
Why Contents Restoration Matters in Insurance Claims
For restoration contractors, adjusters, and homeowners, contents services support:
- Accurate insurance documentation
- Faster claims approvals
- Reduced disputes over damaged property
- Professional packing, transport, and storage
- Restoration of sentimental or high-value items
Because Reliable is not a preferred vendor for insurance carriers, they advocate for the homeowner—not the insurer. That independence allows them to push back when insurance tries to restore items that should be replaced, or delays claim decisions to reduce payouts.
Expansion and Industry Support
Reliable Contents has grown from Washington into Portland and now Austin, Texas—chosen strategically for population growth, market need, and proximity to future expansion cities like Houston and Dallas.
They also act as a support partner for contractors, not competition. In fact, they’re often hired to move entire contractor offices, help with estate cleanouts, or support hoarding and large-scale organizational projects beyond insurance claims.
The Biggest Misconception About Contents Restoration
When asked what people misunderstand most, Mike answered simply: “People don’t know we exist.” Contents restoration is built into most insurance policies, yet homeowners rarely learn about it until they’re overwhelmed and already trying to pack out a smoke-damaged home alone.
Final Takeaway
Whether dealing with a fire, burst pipe, mold loss, or estate cleanup, contents restoration protects more than property—it protects memories, emotional stability, and the ability to recover without starting over from scratch. If you’re in restoration, insurance, or property management, this is a service worth understanding—and referring—before a homeowner hits crisis mode.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple | Listen on YouTube | Listen on iHeart Radio
Ready to restore your home with confidence? Reach out to Core Contractors for a consultation today! Let us guide you through every step of the restoration process with care and expertise.
