In response to an explosion of “toxic mold” claims in 2000-2001, the insurance industry acted in unprecedented unison to universally get rid of all claims related in any way to mold. They didn’t stop at just excluding claims from mold; they threw bacteria into the exclusion as well.

Moisture meters are easier than ever to use and now with exciting Bluetooth connectivity, moisture meters offer great flexibility and customization. They are fast and accurate, and the information they provide will always be critical to making good drying decisions. Know the meter’s capabilities. Follow the manufacturers’ procedures and recommendations supported by your own knowledge and experience. 

Here are five ways to train and prepare your restoration employees to provide the best customer experience, both in their everyday work and after disasters.

The water damage restoration industry is changing rapidly, and moisture meters are no exception. In this article, I will focus on the changes in smart technology which are making it easier to take moisture readings and provide valuable information to contractors in real-time about their jobs.

In most cases when a home is damaged by a disaster, the homeowner(s) are already upset by the time the restorer gets there. The last thing a restorer wants to do is add insult to injury by doing or not doing something that could add stress or make the situation worse.

“In a crowded marketplace, it can be hard to cut through the noise and reach customers,” Josh Miller writes. “With a micro approach that focuses on how we can do our jobs more effectively, and a macro approach that communicates our expertise to the marketplace, we can all help promote the credibility and competence of the professionals in our industry.”

“Being a real company sounds like a simple task in theory, but in reality, it is not a consistently followed practice. So what does ‘be a real company’ mean? It requires doing the small and sometimes neglected items that you would normally complete while trying to build your company in your local market,” Jeff Carrier writes.

While advertising, marketing and public relations are all methods businesses use to communicate with their stakeholders, the benefits of each are not usually discussed individually. Small business owners know they need marketing to target the right customers and advertising to make the phones ring, but they do not realize public relations can help them become the trusted experts in their markets, which leads to greater opportunities. So, what is PR? Heather Ripley explains.

“When restorers allow insurers to make major changes to prices and scopes of work, it creates a serious risk that policyholders will end up with something less than what restorers believe in their professional judgment are the best methods to return properties to their pre-loss condition.”

The gap between exit-ready restoration businesses and eager buyers continues to widen, and a lack of sellable businesses could spin the industry into crisis. But there is good news on the horizon for current owners who focus on six key areas of their companies.