GUS

What GUS does

GUS (Groupe Urgence Sinistre inc.) is Canada's largest post-disaster restoration franchise network, founded in 1991 in Quebec by Doris Landry and Louise Larochelle and currently owned by the founders' son, René-Charles Landry. The company operates through more than 250 franchisees across 8 provinces and 3,500+ cities, fielding 3,000+ certified professionals who execute over 60,000 emergency interventions annually. Service lines span emergency cleaning (water, fire, wind, oil, vandalism), post-disaster renovation and reconstruction, temporary furnished housing (300+ locations in Quebec), clothing and textile cleaning, hazardous materials decontamination, drain and sewer services, electronic restoration, and art restoration. The technical foundation rests on IICRC-certified methodologies, the patented Aqua-Protec anti-backflow valve system, and industry-standard estimation software (Xactimate, Symbility) integrated with insurance claims workflows.

GUS monetizes through a franchise model: franchise fees and supplier volume rebates flow to the corporate entity, while service revenue accrues at the franchisee level via insurance claims and direct property-owner contracts. The primary go-to-market channel is service agreements with multiple insurance carriers, who refer policyholders to GUS franchisees for claims handling, supplemented by a 24/7 toll-free emergency hotline for direct residential and commercial customer acquisition. Pricing is project-based, with estimates generated through Xactimate/Symbility and billed per scope of work to insurers or property owners. Customer segments include residential homeowners, commercial/institutional/industrial facilities, and insurance carriers as referral partners.

The business is a privately-held, family-controlled franchise system with no external institutional capital, no disclosed funding history, and no public revenue disclosure. In November 2023, François Hétu was appointed President to lead the next phase of network development. In April 2025, GUS secured SBTi validation of its emissions reduction targets (58.8% Scope 1 and 2 reduction by 2034) and launched a Sustainable Development Program covering vehicle electrification and EV infrastructure. The network holds multi-jurisdictional regulatory credentials including Quebec RBQ construction licenses, Ontario Tarion membership, and affiliations with APCHQ, RIA, and IICRC.

Name

GUS

Legal name

Groupe Urgence Sinistre inc.

Website

https://gus.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GUS (Groupe Urgence Sinistre) is Canada's largest post-disaster restoration franchise network, operating 250+ franchisees across 8 provinces with 3,000+ certified professionals delivering 60,000+ annual emergency interventions in water, fire, wind, and mold restoration for residential, commercial, institutional, and insurance-carrier-referred clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Post-Disaster Restoration Services

NAICS

Remediation Services (562910), Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (23822), Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (23711)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAFAAAJ

Disaster Recovery & Restoration General Contracting

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Construction & Civil Engineering/General Contracting & Construction Management

SECONDARYHSAPAOAF

Contents & Personal Property Restoration (Pack-Out, Cleaning, Storage)

Home & Personal Services/Residential Renovation Services/Fire, Water & Storm Damage Restoration (Residential Rebuild)

SECONDARYBPABANAI

Natural Disaster Preparedness & Recovery (Storm/Flood/Wildfire)

Business & Public Services/Facilities Management & Building Services/Emergency Preparedness and Response Services

SECONDARYHSAOAMAK

Emergency Water Main/Service Line Repair

Home & Personal Services/Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC Services/Emergency Plumbing Services

Keywords

• Post-disaster restoration
• Emergency cleanup services
• Water damage remediation
• Fire and smoke restoration
• Mold decontamination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lévis

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Post-disaster Restoration Services: Fee-for-service model for emergency cleanup, drying, dehumidification, deodorization, and content restoration. Services billed to insurance companies or directly to property owners based on damage assessments and estimates.
2. Renovation and Construction Services: Complete reconstruction services following damage from fire, water, vandalism. Includes carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, drywall, interior and exterior finishing, and roofing. Revenue generated through project-based contracts.
3. Temporary Housing Rentals: Furnished temporary housing for displaced residents during restoration. Over 300 temporary rental locations across Quebec. Revenue from accommodation fees.
4. Franchise Fees: Franchise network generating revenue through franchise fees and volume discounts from suppliers shared with franchisees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GUS (Groupe Urgence Sinistre) operates Canada's largest franchise network of post-disaster restoration professionals, providing 24/7 emergency services for water, fire, smoke, mold, wind, oil, and vandalism damage. The company delivers an integrated suite of services including emergency cleanup, structural renovation and reconstruction, temporary housing relocations, textile and clothing restoration, hazardous materials decontamination, drain and sewer services, electronic equipment restoration, and art restoration, primarily billed through insurance claims or direct property owner contracts.

Product overview

GUS (Groupe Urgence Sinistre) is Canada's largest network of post-disaster recovery professionals, operating as a franchise-based service network since 1991. The company provides a comprehensive suite of disaster recovery services including emergency cleaning (Nettoyage après sinistre), renovation and construction, temporary housing (Logements temporaires), clothing and textile cleaning, hazardous materials decontamination, drains and sewers services, electronic cleaning and restoration, and art restoration. The network operates through over 250 franchisees across 8 Canadian provinces, handling more than 60,000 interventions per year with over 3,000 professionals serving 3,500 cities. The company also operates a Foundation to assist disaster victims without resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disaster Cleaning (Nettoyage après sinistre)
• Post-Disaster Renovation and Construction (Rénovation et construction après sinistre) Complete reconstruction services following water, fire, and vandalism damage, including barricade installation, site securing, debris removal, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, heating, painting, plastering, interior and exterior finishing, roofing, and computerized cost estimation.
• Temporary Housing (Logements temporaires) Furnished temporary housing solutions for displaced residents during home renovation after disasters, with over 300 rental locations across Quebec including condominiums, houses, apartments, and mobile homes, available from days to months without a lease.
• Clothing and Textile Cleaning (Nettoyage de vêtements et textiles) Specialized cleaning and restoration of clothing, curtains, draperies, and fine textiles affected by disasters, including inventory of belongings, odor elimination, antibacterial treatment, smoke odor neutralization, leather/suede/fur cleaning, sports equipment cleaning, shoe repair, and storage.
• Hazardous Materials Decontamination (Décontamination) Professional decontamination services for mold, asbestos, vermiculite, oil or fuel spills, pest infestations, and other hazardous materials, including structure and content decontamination, dehumidification, air quality management, diagnostic analysis, and air quality testing by independent laboratories.
• Drains and Sewers (Drains et égouts) Drain and sewer services including camera inspection and conduit localization, foundation drain cleaning, repair and replacement, foundation repair and sealing, ferrous bacteria treatment, service connections, excavation, pipe thawing, and sewer backflow prevention through the patented Aqua-Protec system.
• Electronic Cleaning and Restoration (Nettoyage et restauration électronique après sinistre) Repair, cleaning, and restoration services for electronic equipment, appliances, high-end electronic devices, cameras, and networking equipment damaged by disasters, including inspection, evaluation, detailed estimation, pickup and delivery, on-site work, and damage stabilization.
• Art Restoration (Restauration d'œuvres d'art) Professional art restoration services including cleaning and restoration of paintings, photographs, original engravings, works on paper, diplomas, sculptures, and tapestries, with artwork renovation, technical and legal expertise, cost estimation following damage, forgery detection, and art evaluation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60,000+ emergency interventions annually across Canada
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Insurance Companies (Various)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGUS has service agreements with multiple insurance companies who refer policyholders experiencing property damage to GUS franchisees. This partnership provides a steady referral pipeline and positions GUS as a preferred restoration provider in the insurance ecosystem.
• APCHQ (Association des professionnels de la construction et de l'habitation du Québec)minorOthersGUS franchisees offering renovation and construction services hold memberships in APCHQ, a Quebec construction association.
• IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)coreOthersGUS professionals receive training and certification according to IICRC standards and methods. The IICRC is a not-for-profit organization that certifies inspection, cleaning, and restoration technicians.
• Tarion Warranty CorporationminorOthersSome GUS franchisees hold memberships with Tarion, an Ontario organization that protects the rights of new home buyers.
• RIA (Restoration Industry Association)minorOthersSome GUS franchisees hold memberships in RIA, a professional trade association for the restoration industry.
• MOF - Meilleure Ouvrière de FranceminorOthersGUS offers textile restoration training opportunities in partnership with Meilleure Ouvrière de France (MOF), a prestigious French certification for textile care professionals.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Restoration 1: Restoration 1 is a growing North American restoration franchise with water, fire, and mold services. Comparable to GUS on franchise model and core restoration services; smaller scale but actively expanding through franchising.

Direct peers

• PuroClean: PuroClean is a North American franchise network specializing in property damage restoration (water, fire, mold, biohazard). Comparable to GUS on franchise structure, mitigation-first service model, and insurance referral channel.
• ServiceMaster Restore: ServiceMaster Restore is one of North America's largest franchise-based disaster restoration networks, offering water, fire, and mold remediation across the U.S. and Canada. Directly comparable to GUS on franchise model, service mix, insurance channel, and emergency-response positioning.
• Rainbow International Restoration: Rainbow International is a Neighborly brand franchise network providing residential and commercial restoration services. Comparable to GUS on franchise model, service breadth, and insurance-driven demand, primarily U.S.-focused with limited Canadian presence.
• FirstOnSite Restoration: FirstOnSite is one of Canada's largest non-franchise restoration and reconstruction providers with national coverage and insurance partnerships. Comparable to GUS on service scope, Canadian footprint, and large-loss response capability, though operating company-owned rather than franchise.
• Paul Davis Restoration: Paul Davis operates a North American franchise network providing residential and commercial restoration, reconstruction, and contents services with insurance-channel focus. Overlaps with GUS on franchise model, full-service restoration, and Canadian footprint.
• SERVPRO: SERVPRO is the largest privately-held restoration franchise network in North America, with comparable fire/water/mold remediation, insurance claims workflows (Xactimate), and 24/7 emergency response. Closest peer to GUS on franchise scale, service breadth, and insurance-driven GTM.
• Winmar: Winmar is a Canadian restoration and reconstruction franchise network offering emergency mitigation, rebuild, and contents restoration. Directly comparable to GUS as a domestic Canadian franchise competitor with similar insurance-driven demand.

Broad incumbents

• Interstate Restoration: Interstate Restoration is a large U.S.-based commercial-focused restoration and reconstruction provider serving national accounts and large-loss events. Comparable to GUS on commercial/institutional restoration capabilities and insurance relationships, though primarily U.S.-focused.
• BELFOR Property Restoration: BELFOR is the global leader in property restoration and disaster recovery, operating company-owned across multiple continents with extensive large-loss and commercial capabilities. Overlaps with GUS on restoration/reconstruction service mix and insurance relationships but is far larger and corporate-owned.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gusgroupeurgencesinistre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gus
• Instagraminstagram.com/groupe.urgence.sinistre?igsh=NW84M3doaTB5ajUw

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GUS