How do I judge a restoration company’s dehumidifier and air mover inventory?

Count before you believe the list. Take the equipment register and match it to what is physically in the yard, the shop and the trucks. Note the age, the condition and whether the machine is running when plugged in. Units out on active jobs should have a matching job file. Anything missing from both places deserves an explanation.

Ask how the machines are maintained and who does it. A fleet with filters changed, cords checked and records kept is a different asset from one that is left dirty and run until it fails. Ask how many units are down for repair at any time and what the replacement habit has been.

Then ask about ownership. Are any units leased, financed or tied to a lien? Which would stay with the business? Finally, think about fit: does the fleet match the kind of work the company actually wins, and would a busy season stretch it? An equipment appraiser or your accountant can help you assess what you find, but the physical count and the condition check are yours to do. Ask also how equipment is tracked between jobs, since units that leave on a truck and never return are a common quiet loss.

Key takeaways

• Match the register to units you can see and touch.
• Ask for maintenance records and the repair-down routine.
• Confirm which units are owned, leased or financed.