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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On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!
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