Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence: Guarantee Restoration Services

Christina Mullins • May 22, 2024

This year, Guarantee Restoration Services celebrates a monumental milestone—our 50th anniversary! Since our humble beginnings on March 15, 1974, when William “Chunky” and Ellen Folks co-founded the company as a carpet cleaning business out of their one-bedroom apartment on College Drive in Baton Rouge, we have grown into a leading full-service property restoration contractor.

A Journey of Growth and Success

Today, GRS is owned by CEO William “Shawn” Folks, continuing the legacy as a second-generation family-owned and operated business. Headquartered at 16248 Perkins Rd. in Baton Rouge, LA, we proudly serve the Gulf Coast with additional offices in Lafayette, New Orleans, Gulfport, MS, Jackson, MS, and Mobile, AL. Our team of over 150 dedicated professionals is our greatest asset, ensuring we deliver exceptional service to our clients during every disaster.


State Contracts and Major Projects 

Since 2016, GRS has been a primary contractor with the state of Louisiana, completing around $25 million in emergency mitigation and remediation services for state universities, office buildings, and other entities. We've also executed contracts with the State of Mississippi and numerous parish school boards and government entities, restoring over 150 schools and 50 commercial buildings following Hurricane Ida. 



Accredited and Certified Excellence 

GRS is an accredited IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) organization, ensuring all employees are trained to the highest standards. Our commitment to quality and professionalism is evident in every project we undertake. 


National Reach, Local Accountability 

As a member of the Restoration Affiliates (RA) co-op, we have access to a national network of independently owned restoration contractors. This collaboration allows us to provide extensive resources and expertise for large-scale losses across the United States. With over 2,000 employees, 50,000 pieces of equipment, and $500 million in combined revenue, RA extends our capabilities while maintaining the local accountability our clients trust. 

Celebrating Our Golden Anniversary 

To commemorate our 50th year, we were featured in the April 2024 issue of the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. On May 16th, we hosted our annual customer crawfish boil, serving nearly 1,000 pounds of crawfish to over 150 guests, with ice cream from Gail’s Fine Ice Cream and a Fresh Strawberry Cake from Ambrosia. Local musician Dustin Lee Guedry provided entertainment, and a 360 photobooth captured the joyous moments. 


Looking to the Future 

We are excited to continue serving our partners along the Gulf Coast and beyond. Our mission remains to deliver effective solutions, provide honest and dependable services, and ensure continuity for our clients’ lives and businesses. Over the next 15 years, we plan to open 6-7 additional offices, reinforcing our commitment to excellence. Remember, our team is available 24/7—it's not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE. 


Visit our website at www.GuaranteeRestoration.com and call us anytime at 1-800-349-4357 (HELP). Here’s to another 50 years of restoring and rebuilding with unwavering dedication! 

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Saying Hi to July! The summer is here—and so is the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. No matter what it brings, you can be assured that our team at Guarantee Restoration Services will be there when you need us most. Meet the Team: Marcela Argueta Every month, I have the opportunity to showcase our many awesome team members. For July, we are shining the spotlight on Marcela Argueta , who serves as a Lead Technician at our New Orleans location. She was promoted to that position in January 2025 . From Honduras to GRS Marcela was born and raised in La Ceiba, Honduras , also known as “la novia de Honduras” —which translates to “the bride of Honduras.” She moved to the U.S. in December 2016 after earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras . Marcela is currently approved and ready to take her exam to become a registered nurse in the U.S. Before joining our team in August 2022 , she worked as both a nurse and a homemaker . Life Outside of Work Marcela is a proud mother of two—her son, Sebastian (15) and daughter, Eleanor (5) . When she’s not working, she loves spending quality time with her children and extended family. Fun fact: her half-sister, Brenda , also works at GRS in our Baton Rouge office! One of Marcela’s favorite pastimes is going for walks in the park. She says she often uses this time to meditate and reflect—thinking about what she’s done well and what she could improve.
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