Restoration Industry Top Stories

The Hidden Cost of AI: Why Restorers Can’t Afford to Lose Their Human Voice

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0500

AI can streamline your tasks, but as restorers sounding robotic is a risk that isn’t worth taking. Here’s why keeping a human voice builds trust and wins over homeowners.

How Kyle Chiasson Built 70 Locations Without Waiting for the Phone to Ring

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Kyle Chiasson shares how he built 70+ restoration locations through direct-work sales, consistent reps, follow-ups, and empowering his team to act.

How to Build, Scale, and Future-Proof Your Restoration Business

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:30:00 -0500

Voda’s CEO Dan Claps, CFE explains how restorers can build, scale, and future proof their business using KPIs, people first culture, and smart growth strategies.

Essential Safety Habits for CAT Response

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Paul Davis Restoration’s John Reasoner shares key safety habits during CAT season, from PPE to buddy system, to keeping your team safe and ready.

Case Study: Rapid Contents Response After a Winter Pipe Burst in Michigan

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0500

This case study of 1-800-Packouts of Michigan demonstrates their rapid response after a pipe burst in the dead of winter, overcoming freezing conditions and access challenges during the project.

Why Reading, Regulation, Learning Theory, and Citation Matter in Restoration

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Industry experts explain why reading regulations, understanding ANSI/IICRC Standards, and using evidence-based training are essential for restoration compliance.

How Restorers Become the Call that Homeowners Trust

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Holly Baldwin shares how restorers can become the “second call” by building carrier relationships, earning reviews, and strengthening community trust.

Leadership, Franchise Growth, and the Future of Restoration

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:30:00 -0500

In this episode of Ask The Expert, Mark Davis, Co-CEO of Signal Restoration Services and Chairman & CEO of PuroClean, discusses long term leadership and how private ownership has enabled sustained, franchise-first growth.

CAT Planning and 3D Documentation Essentials

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this week’s Technical Tip Tuesday, John Reasoner of Paul Davis Restoration explains the two CAT preparedness practices that consistently save time and reduce secondary damage during major storm events: disciplined claim distribution and mandatory 3D/360 documentation at every phase of the loss. His approach shows how the right mix of planning and technology protects both crews and claim defensibility.

Restoration & Preservation of Historical Buildings: Understanding the Foundations – Part 1

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

In Part 1 of this series, Sean Scott explores the fundamentals of historical building restoration, from defining what qualifies as a historic property to understanding obsolete materials, preservation standards, and structural challenges.

ProKlean Talks Rebranding, Chemistry, and Choosing the Right Solutions for You

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:30:00 -0500

In this episode of Ask The Expert, the ProKlean team discusses their rebrand, chemistry, and what restoration contractors should know when choosing the right solutions for them. They also share common application mistakes, PPE requirements, and much more.

7 Trends Influencing the Restoration Industry in 2026

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

With market uncertainty, workforce transitions, new technology, and customer service expectations evolving, here is how restoration companies are reshaping their operations in 2026.

The First 10 Minutes: How Technicians Establish Control on CAT Loss Sites

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this week’s Technical Tip Tuesday, John Reasoner breaks down why the first 10 minutes of a CAT loss are unpredictable, and how technicians can quickly control, stabilize, and protect the team and occupants before any restoration work ever begins.

Integrating Passive Housing into Post Disaster Restoration

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this Q&A with Bill Shadid of Aeroseal, we discuss how restoration professionals can integrate passive house principles into post-disaster restoration without sacrificing speed, cost, comfort, or health.

How Cross Industry Collaboration Strengthens the Home Service Customer Experience

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:30:00 -0500

In this episode of Ask The Expert, five industry leaders from across home services industries share why collaboration between service providers is essential to delivering a stronger, more consistent customer experience.

What Household and Collectible Items Can Be Cleaned with Ultrasonic Methods

Annissa@firehouseeducation.com (Annissa Coy) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Ask Annissa, Annissa explains how ultrasonic cleaning works and when it can be an effective restoration method for household and collectible items with heavy buildup. She covers suitable materials, common mistakes, and why proper chemistry, dwell time, and monitoring are critical to avoid damage.

Why Travelers Fought a Fire Claim for Invisible Smoke Damage

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Did a Travelers builders’ risk policy cover damage from invisible combustion byproducts? Behind the costly, prolonged legal aftermath of an Alabama arson.

Managing Multiple Job Site Hazards with Job Hazard Analysis

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Barry Rice, CSP, explains the importance of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and how it helps restoration contractors safely manage multiple overlapping hazards on active job sites.

Documentation Training: The Difference Between Disaster Response and Defensible Recovery

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

During catastrophic events, the success of restoration isn’t measured by how fast your crews mobilize, but how well the work is documented and can be defended months or even years later.

After the Kickoff: Leadership Habits That Keep Q1 on Track

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

By February, most restoration leaders know whether their January kickoff meeting truly set the year in motion or quietly lost momentum. Shauna shares leadership habits, communication rhythms, and alignment practices that keep Q1, and the rest of the year, on track.

Cleaning and Deodorizing Antique Dolls After Wildfire Smoke Damage

Annissa@firehouseeducation.com (Annissa Coy) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Ask Annissa, a homeowner impacted by the Pacific Palisades Fire asked for guidance on restoring her antique porcelain dolls damaged by the smoke. Annissa shares best practices for cleaning, deodorizing, and documenting.

How Franchising Drives Growth in the Restoration Industry

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0500

On this episode of Ask The Expert, Beth Toenies of BELFOR Franchise Group shares how franchising supports growth, branding, staffing, and more.

Containment: Controlling Contaminants During Remediation and Restoration Activities

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Containment is one of the most critical, and misunderstood, controls in remediation. This article breaks down how temporary barriers, airflow management, and negative-pressure systems work, and what industry professionals need to get right to prevent cross-contamination.

Why Respirator Fit Testing Is Essential for Restoration Safety

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

This week’s Technical Tip shares why annual respirator fit testing is critical for OSHA compliance and worker safety. Barry Rice, CSP, highlights key aspects of fit testing, what it prevents, and why consistency is key.

What OSHA’s Top 10 Violations Mean for the Restoration Industry

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

The restoration industry lacks an industry-specific labor code, but OSHA’s Top 10 violations offer clear insights into the safety gaps restorers face every day. Here’s what each violation means for your teams and how you can use this data to improve compliance, reduce injuries, and protect your business.

Questions Homeowners have After a Fire

Annissa@firehouseeducation.com (Annissa Coy) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500

Homeowners often struggle to find and choose a qualified fire restoration company after a loss. Annissa Coy breaks down what proper onboarding looks like, what questions professionals should ask, and how to identify a trained, certified restoration team.

Assessment of Heavy Metals in a Wildfire and a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Homeowners face information overload after WUI fires, while real risks linger indoors. This article translates science into practice and defines burn/near/far-field impact zones, separates visible from invisible, outlines forensic sampling strategies, and provides heavy-metal background context with defensible, ALARA-based PRV targets restorers and IHs can use to close complete their projects confidently.

Disinfection: What It Does, What It Cannot Do, and How Restoration Gets It Wrong

emily@immaculatecollective.com (Emily Dodds) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500

Disinfection remains one of the most misunderstood tools in the restoration industry. Emily Dodds breaks down what EPA-registered disinfectants actually do, where they fail, and why cleaning, not chemistry, determines whether projects pass verification and avoid callbacks.

Asbestos 101: What Restorers Need to Know About Testing, Work Practices, and Compliance

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:30:00 -0500

In this episode of Ask The Expert, leading industry experts explain when asbestos training is required, what work can safely proceed, and how restorers should manage their risk once the results are received.

Navigating the Gray Areas of Respiratory Protection After Fire Losses

mcgowank@bnpmedia.com (Kayla McGowan) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Barry Rice, CSP, shares how restorers can make informed, defensible respiratory protection decisions in post-fire environments where conditions constantly change.