What is a water damage restoration authorization?
After a burst pipe or flood, restoration crews often start within hours, and the paperwork is signed on a wet doorstep. A water damage restoration authorization gives the company clear permission to work, and gives the owner a plain account of what they're agreeing to and paying for.
This form records the signer's authority, the date, cause, type of water and affected areas, and an editable list of emergency services: inspection and readings, extraction, contents moves, removing what can't be dried, drying equipment and monitoring. It keeps fixing the leak and restoration after drying separate. It explains that equipment runs for days on the owner's electricity and must not be switched off, sets out monitoring and access, adds a precautions clause for contaminated water, and stops work on asbestos, lead or mold. The insurance section lets the company talk to the adjuster without settling the claim, and records direct or joint payment. The owner stays responsible for paying in full, including the deductible, with a due date tied to the invoice or insurer payment.
- Best for
- Water damage restoration and mitigation companies
- Signed by
- The property owner (or authorised agent) and the restoration company
- Covers
- Emergency services, equipment, readings, access, insurance, payment
- Length
- About 3 pages, initialled on every page
When to use a water damage restoration authorization
- Drying a kitchen and ceiling after an upstairs washing machine hose burst
- Emergency extraction after a basement flood
- Sewage backup clean-up in a ground-floor bathroom
- A property manager authorising drying in a tenant's flat
- Water mitigation work paid through a home insurance claim
What you fill in
21 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: restoration company, property owner.
1 The parties
- Restoration company (your business)*
- Your phone or email (24-hour line if you have one)*
- Licence, registration or certification (optional)
- Property owner*
- Owner phone or email*
- The person signing is* the owner of the property · a tenant with the owner's authority · the property manager or agent with the owner's authority · a director or officer of the owning company
2 The loss
- Property address*
- Date of the leak or flood*
- Cause, as known now*
- Type of water* clean water (for example a supply pipe) · grey water (for example a washing machine or dishwasher drain) · contaminated water (for example sewage or outside flood water) · not yet known
- Affected areas*
3 The work
- Emergency services authorised*
- Restoration after drying* not authorised yet — to be quoted and agreed separately · authorised, following a written estimate the Owner approves
4 Insurance
- Insurer (optional)
- Claim number (optional)
- Insurance payments for this work* may be paid by the insurer directly to the Company, or jointly to both · are paid to the Owner, who then pays the Company
5 Price and payment
- Currency*
- How the work is priced* the Company's current price list, given to the Owner with this authorization · the pricing database commonly used by insurers in the area, at the time of the work · the written estimate given to the Owner
- Payment on signing (optional)
- Unpaid balance due within (days of the invoice)*
- Governing law*
6 Who signs
- Restoration company signature and date, job title, initials on every page · The water damage restoration business.
- Property owner signature and date, initials on every page · The owner of the property, or someone authorised by the owner, such as a property manager.
What the water damage restoration authorization covers
- The loss
- Services authorised
- Equipment, moisture readings and access
- Insurance claim
- The Owner's payment responsibility
- Cancellation, limits and general
Using the water damage restoration authorization, step by step
1 Record the loss
Enter the property, who is signing and their authority, the date, the cause as known now, the type of water and the affected areas.
2 Authorise the services
Edit the pre-filled emergency services and choose whether restoration after drying is authorised now or quoted later.
3 Add the insurance details
Enter the insurer and claim number if known and choose whether insurance payments may go directly or jointly to the company.
4 Pricing and payment
Choose how the work is priced, add any payment on signing, set the payment days and governing law, and send it to the owner.
Tips before you send it
- Give the owner your price list or estimate with the form. The authorization refers to it.
- Photograph and read moisture at every visit. The records support the insurance claim and the drying decisions.
- Never offer to waive the deductible. The form rules it out, and in some places it is against the law.
- Some places add cooling-off rules for contracts signed at home and special rules for emergency work. Check local rules before you rely on the form.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date and initials box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Water damage restoration authorization: frequently asked questions
Who pays if the insurer denies the claim?
The owner. The form states clearly that the owner is responsible for paying in full, including the deductible and anything the insurer doesn't cover.
Does the company deal with the insurer for the owner?
It can talk to the insurer and adjuster about the work and send records and invoices, but it doesn't negotiate or settle the claim. The owner decides whether to accept a settlement.
Can the owner switch the drying equipment off?
Not without the company's agreement. Turning equipment off can lengthen drying and lead to mold. The owner can stop the work in writing at any time, but then pays for work done and equipment hire.
Does it cover rebuilding?
Only if you choose to authorise restoration after drying, following a written estimate the owner approves. Otherwise restoration is quoted and agreed separately.
Can a tenant or property manager sign?
Yes, if they have the owner's authority. The form records the signer's capacity and their confirmation that they can authorise the work and access.