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From Emergency to Dream Home - When Restoration Leads to Renovation

When disaster strikes, it can feel overwhelming and hopeless regardless if it’s fire damage, water damage, or something other disaster. Your home is much more than just a structure. At State Restoration, we understand this stress. Since 1999, our design-build restoration and remodeling team has helped Ventura and Los Angeles County homeowners not only recover from disaster but reimagine and improve the spaces. Out of emergency comes an opportunity, turning restoration into a chance to build your dream home.

Across the country, 1 in 5 homeowners did renovations triggered by home damage.

Step 1: Safety and Stabilization

After an emergency, immediate action matters. When you reach out to State Restoration, we coordinate with trusted mitigation experts to secure and stabilize your home, implement board-ups if required, water extraction, and safety checks. Once the home is safe, our licensed general contractors step in with inspections, estimating, design, and construction.

We figure out what we need to do and what insurance provider you have. We have worked with just about every insurance provider in the state and coordinate the process.

Learn more about our restoration process.

Why Restoration Creates the Perfect Moment for Renovation

When walls, floors, and fixtures are already removed due to damage, it’s a rare chance to upgrade. Instead of rebuilding the same space, homeowners can:

Reconfigure layouts for modern living
Install custom cabinetry, and/or new flooring
Add long-wanted improvements while insurance covers part of the restoration

At State Restoration, our Westlake Village showroom makes it simple to select materials, finishes, and design details in one place.

The Financial Benefits of Combining Restoration and Renovation

One of the biggest advantages of combining restoration with renovation is how home insurance coverage works in California. After a fire, flood, or other disaster, most policies will pay to restore your home to its “pre-loss condition”, meaning “like-for-like” replacement of what was damaged.

For example, if you had carpet flooring before the damage, insurance will cover new carpet flooring.

Here’s where the opportunity comes in: you only pay the difference in cost to upgrade. So if you’ve been dreaming of hardwood floors, higher-end cabinets, or energy-efficient windows, the insurance payout handles the baseline replacement, and you just invest in the upgrade.

This can lower out-of-pocket renovation costs significantly and make major improvements much more affordable.

We will guide you through these options so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

Popular Renovations During a Home Restoration

Kitchens – Water or smoke-damaged kitchens become opportunities to create modern chef spaces with open layouts, stone countertops, and custom cabinetry. Explore our kitchen remodeling services.
Bathrooms – Post-plumbing or flood repair is the ideal time to add spa showers, updated tile, and modern fixtures. See our bathroom renovation projects.
Whole-Home Remodels – Some homeowners take the moment to redesign their entire property, blending restoration with a complete refresh. View our remodel case studies.

We Take Pride in Minimizing Our Client’s Stress

“State Restoration guided us through the entire water loss process with courtesy and kindness. We are thrilled with our beautiful new kitchen … but it was the people that made the difference.”
Denise J.
“Our home was one of the first completed after the fires because they helped us navigate the complexities of insurance coverage.”
Michele, Westlake Village

Our Full-Service Advantage

With 25+ years of experience, State Restoration delivers:

Design + Build Expertise: We manage architectural planning, permitting, and all trades under one roof.
Hands-On Oversight: Owners Doug & Darlene Kimbell personally oversee each project.
Showroom Convenience: A 10,000 sq. ft. showroom in Westlake Village where you can touch and compare cabinetry, flooring, stone, and fixtures.

Don’t Just Re-Build, Reimagine

A home emergency doesn’t have to end with “back to normal.” With the right partner, it can be the moment you finally achieve the home you’ve always wanted.

📍 If your home in Ventura County or Los Angeles County has suffered damage, don’t just rebuild—reimagine.
👉 Schedule a free consultation with State Restoration today, or visit our Westlake Village showroom.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Does homeowners insurance cover renovations after restoration?

Homeowners insurance generally covers restoration work — meaning repairs that return your property to its pre-loss condition. For example, if water damage ruins carpet, your insurer will typically pay for comparable carpet. In California, this is called “like-for-like replacement.”

If you want to upgrade (e.g., hardwood floors instead of carpet, quartz counters instead of laminate), you’ll pay the difference. This makes restoration the perfect moment to renovate because insurance offsets much of the baseline cost.

What’s the difference between restoration and renovation?

Restoration = Repairing or rebuilding after damage to return the home to its original state. (Example: replacing drywall and flooring after water damage.)
Renovation = Improving or upgrading the home beyond its original state. (Example: reconfiguring the kitchen layout, upgrading to stone countertops, or installing modern fixtures.)

At State Restoration, we specialize in blending the two, restoring what’s necessary, and elevating what’s possible.

How long does a restoration-to-renovation project take?

Timeframes vary depending on the scope of both the damage and the upgrades. Please call us to discuss the damage.

Is it cheaper to renovate during restoration?

Yes. Since walls, floors, and systems are already exposed, you avoid many extra demolition and labor costs that you’d pay in a stand-alone remodel. Pairing restoration with renovation can save 10–30% on construction costs, especially when upgrades align with the areas being repaired.

Will insurance cover code upgrades in California?
Yes, California law requires insurance to pay for upgrades needed to bring your home up to current building codes (Ordinance or Law coverage). That means safer electrical, plumbing, and structural systems may be included in your claim.

What’s the process like from emergency to remodel?

Mitigation & Stabilization (done by emergency response contractors).
Insurance Claim & Inspection (our team coordinates with adjusters).
Design & Material Selection (visit our Westlake Village showroom).
Permitting & Planning (architectural drawings, city approvals).
Construction & Upgrades (restoration + your chosen renovations).
Final Walkthrough & Handover.

Can I live in my home during the project?
It depends on the extent of damage and renovation. For small projects, yes, with limited disruption. For major restorations, temporary relocation may be necessary, but we help coordinate timelines so you’re back home as quickly as possible.

What types of renovations make the most sense during restoration?
Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, energy-efficient upgrades (windows, insulation, HVAC), and open-concept reconfigurations are the most popular.

Discuss your renovation project with our team.