Expert Water Removal
Restoration · Bradenton, Manatee County · Founded 2006 by Barry Nicks, Jr.
About the company
Water, fire and mold damage restoration and mitigation company founded in Bradenton in 2006 by Barry Nicks, Jr. after his own water-loss experience. It serves West Florida — Tampa Bay, Sarasota/Bradenton and Fort Myers — working for property managers, home builders, insurance carriers, HVAC and plumbing contractors and residential and commercial owners. HighGround Restoration Group, a Trivest Partners portfolio company, acquired it in February 2023.
Ownership history
What changed after the sale
HighGround said the company would keep its independent brand identity, business model and customer relationships while using platform support for demand generation, equipment, vehicles, technology, recruiting and analytics. As of Sept 2026 the company website still markets locally with no reference to HighGround.
Only sourced observations are listed. Customers and employees can add what they saw.
Who really profits
Money paid to Expert Water Removal now flows to HighGround Restoration Group, and from there to its investors — Trivest Partners — whose funds are ultimately owed returns by their limited partners. Property damage restoration roll-up backed by Trivest Partners that buys founder-led mitigation and restoration companies and keeps their brands, business models and customer relationships intact. The platform centralizes demand generation, equipment and vehicle purchasing, technology, recruiting, employee development and analytics; Expert Water Removal was its Florida market entry.
Read more: why prices rise after a sale · debt, exits and the 5-year clock.
Frequently asked
Who owns Expert Water Removal?
Expert Water Removal is owned by HighGround Restoration Group, whose capital has come from Trivest Partners. The sale was announced February 9, 2023; the company still operates under its original name.
Is Expert Water Removal private equity owned?
Yes. Expert Water Removal is part of HighGround Restoration Group, which is backed by Trivest Partners. See the buyer profile for the capital structure.
Is Expert Water Removal locally owned?
Not in the sense most homeowners mean. Control has moved to an outside owner, although the local brand name is still used.
When was Expert Water Removal sold?
February 9, 2023 (announcement date).
Did Expert Water Removal change its name after the sale?
No. Keeping the acquired brand name is standard practice for platforms; it preserves customer trust and reviews while ownership changes behind it.
Sources Verified — primary document
- Restoration & Remediation Magazine (2023-02-09) — trade press. Acquisition of Expert Water Removal, Bradenton, Fla.; founder Barry Nicks Jr., founded 2006; Trivest Partners sponsor; quotes from Ben Balsley and Nicks.
- Expert Water Removal (2026-09-09) — company site. Gulf Coast service area (Tampa Bay, Sarasota/Bradenton, Fort Myers); no HighGround branding shown.
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