Cole Hartwell

Chief Executive Officer & Founder · Prime Restoration · Macomb County, MI

I'm Cole Hartwell, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Prime Restoration in Macomb County, MI. I'm an IICRC-certified water damage restoration specialist leading a Michigan licensed residential builder, with on-the-ground field experience that spans Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole in Florida (2022), the Davison, Michigan hail storm, and the major Macomb and Oakland County water-damage and storm events of the last four years — including the June 2021 Southeast Michigan flooding, the August 2023 Detroit-area derecho, the February 2023 ice storm, and the April 2025 ice event.

Currently, I lead the Prime Restoration crew from our Macomb County headquarters, where we run 24/7 emergency dispatch and handle every phase of restoration in-house — water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation, sewage and biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke restoration, storm damage repair, and full reconstruction across Macomb County, Oakland County, and the broader Metro Detroit area. Outside of work, I'm a Michigan homeowner who tracks polar-vortex forecasts and combined-sewer overflow advisories so we can stage crews before the call comes in.

I'm also passionate about sharing what we learn on real Macomb and Oakland County jobs through articles that give Michigan homeowners practical, no-fluff tips and tricks — what to do in the first 24 hours of a water damage event, how Michigan insurance carriers actually behave on sudden-and-accidental versus gradual losses, when an HSA or FSA Letter of Medical Necessity can help cover mold remediation that insurance denies, and how to choose the best water damage restoration contractor for your Michigan home.

Credentials & Licensing

The credentials below are held across Prime Restoration's leadership and technicians — by Cole Hartwell or other team members. Builder license and IICRC firm status are independently verifiable through the Michigan LARA license lookup and the IICRC public registry.

IICRC Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT)
IICRC Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT)
Michigan Residential Builder License #262500491
ICA Real Estate Inspection Certification (120-hour home inspection education)

Topics Cole covers

Water damage restorationMold remediationSewage and biohazard cleanupFire and smoke damage restorationStorm damage repair and reconstructionHurricane response (Ian, Nicole)Hail storm restoration (Davison, MI)Combined sewer overflow restorationPolar-vortex burst-pipe responseMichigan homeowner insuranceXactimate reconstruction estimatesHSA / FSA medical-necessity coverageMacomb County restorationOakland County restorationMetro Detroit restoration

Recent articles by Cole Hartwell

Macomb County 24/7 Emergency

Need restoration help in Macomb or Oakland County?

Speak directly with the Prime Restoration team — same crew Cole writes about. On-site within 60 minutes.

Call (586) 277-1069

Credentials & Licensing

Topics Cole covers

Recent articles by Cole Hartwell

What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Water Damage

How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost in Michigan?

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage? A Michigan Homeowner's Guide

Signs of Water Damage in Your Home: What to Look For

How to Prevent Mold After Water Damage

Burst Pipe Water Damage: Emergency Steps & Restoration Guide

5 Warning Signs of Hidden Mold in Your Home

What to Do After a House Fire: Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

Michigan Storm Damage: How to Protect Your Home and File Claims

Basement Flooding in Michigan: Causes, Prevention & Restoration

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in Your Michigan Home This Winter

What to Do When Your Sump Pump Fails During a Storm

Need restoration help in Macomb or Oakland County?