I’m James Rice-Peña, the owner of FL Cleanup. Most of what you’ll read on this site is about drying homes, finding mold and getting smells out. This one is a little different. It’s about why I also teach other people how to do this work.
Where I started
I spent part of my childhood in foster care. Before restoration, I worked as a bag boy, a cook and in a call center, living check to check. I got into restoration in 2012, and in 2016 I started FL Cleanup in Miami with no loans and no investors.
Since then, our family-owned company has handled more than 5,000 water jobs across South Florida, along with mold, fire and storm work. I’m a licensed mold assessor (MRSA4035) and mold remediator (MRSR4158) in Florida and IICRC certified, and I’ve served as a mold expert in attorney cases.
Why I teach
Over the years, I’ve seen too many homeowners get hurt by contractors who didn’t know what they were doing: no moisture readings, no documentation, mold left behind a wall, or a bill nobody explained. I’ve also seen good plumbers and AC techs find water damage every week and walk away from it because nobody showed them how to handle it the right way.
So I started Damage To Dollars, where I train plumbers, HVAC techs, contractors and people starting from zero on how to run water jobs honestly: the first call, documentation, drying, getting paid, and staying within their state’s rules. No storm-chasing and no insurance games.
What it means for FL Cleanup customers
Nothing changes about how we work on your home. Teaching just keeps us sharp. Every process I teach is one our crew uses on real jobs: a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera, daily readings while we dry, and clear explanations at every step.
Need help with your home? We answer 24/7. When you call, we’ll tell you honestly when a technician can be there based on that day’s schedule. Call 877-224-2532 or request a free visual inspection. Hablamos español.
Are you a contractor or thinking about starting in restoration? Visit Damage To Dollars for free guides, including mold licensing requirements by state.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup, a family-owned restoration company serving Florida since 2016. Licensed Florida mold assessor (MRSA4035) and mold remediator (MRSR4158), IICRC certified, with 200+ Google reviews.
