The First Call and Initial Assessment
Jason Lokhmatov took the homeowner’s initial call about the dishwasher leak. Our team first visited the property on April 21, 2026, to assess the damage and begin coordinating the restoration. The leaking water had spread through the kitchen, affecting the flooring and surrounding building materials. Water can seep beneath surface materials and into surrounding porous structures, making prompt removal of damaged materials and thorough drying essential to prevent further deterioration.
Water Damage Mitigation and Demolition
Our team removed water-damaged materials and prepared the affected areas for reconstruction. The work included kitchen demolition and the removal of damaged flooring and other building materials.
During demolition, part of the kitchen’s tile countertop assembly was removed along with the damaged cabinetry. The remaining section had to be temporarily supported by framing. Because the tile, grout, mortar, plywood, cement board, and cabinet supports formed a connected assembly, separating and reusing the remaining section risked damaging the materials and compromising the assembly’s structural integrity.
We also set up professional drying equipment to remove residual moisture from the affected areas before reconstruction. The mitigation work was complete, and Eric Kurishko represented Encore Construction in signing off on the completed mitigation work.
Contents Pack-Out and Storage
To protect the homeowner’s personal property and make room for restoration work, our team carefully packed her belongings and moved them to off-site storage. We used protective wrapping, packing materials, and furniture pads to help keep her items secure during the restoration process. Encore's pack-out and storage services allowed the mitigation and reconstruction teams to work in the affected areas while the homeowner’s belongings remained protected in storage.
Storage continued through July, with three vaults and two pallets used to keep her belongings protected. Between July 13 and 15, 2026, our crew returned the items to the home, spending 45 labor hours unloading, moving, and placing them throughout the residence. To protect finished surfaces, the team laid temporary cardboard along the main travel paths and work areas, then removed the packing debris after the move-back.
Home Repairs and Reconstruction
With Project Manager Jason Lokhmatov coordinating the project, the focus shifted to restoring the damaged areas of the home and bringing the rooms back together after demolition and mitigation. The work extended beyond the kitchen to the living room, bedrooms, closets, foyer, hallway, and dining room, where the repairs included new vinyl plank flooring and underlayment, drywall repairs, fresh paint, and replacement or refinishing of baseboards.
The kitchen presented a particular challenge because the replacement materials needed to match the existing finishes. Attempts to find upper cabinets matching the existing lower cabinets were unsuccessful because a compatible match was unavailable. Rather than combine visibly mismatched cabinetry, the scope called for replacing the upper cabinets. The kitchen tile flooring also needed replacement because the original tile could not be matched.
The kitchen work also addressed the surrounding finishes, including the countertops, backsplash, toe kicks, and baseboards. Other tasks included handling the range and refrigerator, dishwasher-related work, and repairing drywall and painted surfaces in affected rooms. Together, these repairs were intended to create a consistent finish throughout the restored areas rather than leave visible gaps between new and existing materials.
Additional Reconstruction Work
As reconstruction progressed, additional work was needed to complete the kitchen finishes and address details that were not included in the original scope. The additional work included a 27-square-foot fabricated quartz backsplash intended to match the countertops, 195 linear feet of MDF baseboards, and replacement of four electrical outlets and one switch.
The additional work was approved and completed. The quartz backsplash, MDF baseboards, electrical outlets, and switch were installed as part of the finished restoration.
Insurance and Project Documentation
State Farm handled the homeowner’s claim and approved and paid the submitted mitigation, contents, and reconstruction charges, including the additional reconstruction work. With the insurance payments resolved and the repairs completed, the project was able to move toward its final closeout.
Final Status
On September 16, 2026, reconstruction was completed, bringing the home restoration to its final stage. Encore’s team conducted the final walkthrough with the homeowner and collected the remaining payments. During the walkthrough, the completed work was reviewed, marking an important final step in returning the home to its restored condition.
The project record notes that the homeowner was very happy with the results. The completed reconstruction is also backed by Encore’s standard three-year warranty, providing added peace of mind after the restoration.