Restorer’s Digest

Why Smoke Odors Return After Fire Damage Restoration

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:30:00 -0400

Learn why smoke odor can return after proper fire damage restoration which includes deodorization limits and the science behind our perception of odor.

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.

Estimate Like a Pro: Why Soft Costs Matter in Restoration Projects

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Restoration estimates often overlook the soft costs like insurance, bonds, and management fees. Here’s why these factors matter and how you can include them in Xactimate.

Why Fire Smoke Residue May Be as Dangerous as Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0500

Emerging science reveals that lingering fire smoke residues may pose health risks similar to thirdhand tobacco smoke.

The Importance of Post-Remediation Verification in Fire Restoration

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:30:00 -0400

Protect your reputation and your clients’ well-being by making Post-Remediation Verification (PRV) an essential step in fire restoration. Discover how partnering with Independent Environmental Professionals (IEPs) can safeguard against hidden toxins, lingering odors and legal pitfalls, while delivering results backed by science and proof.

Cyanide Residues in Fire Damaged Buildings

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0400

For this month’s Restorer’s Digest we learn the depths of cyanide, how it’s generated and the most common materials that release it.

Factor Your Insurance Burden into Your Restoration Estimates

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

The proper way to calculate insurance burden and effectively recover costs and increase your profit margin.

Why Supervision is a Must in Every Estimate

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Sean M. Scott highlights the importance of supervision and project management for restoration professionals.

Keys to Making Your Repair Estimates More Profitable

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0500

Training your staff on the proper estimation process pays for itself with found profits.

Your Project Manager May Be Killing Your Restoration Business

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0500

If your repair work is barely profitable, the problem may be your project manager.

Mastering Fire Restoration Estimation Part 4

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

The final phase involves compiling a list of items and tasks.

Mastering Fire Restoration Estimation Part 3

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Know the odors you are dealing with and the best ways to treat them.

Mastering Fire Restoration Estimation Part 2

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Seven factors to determine for the preliminary estimate.

Mastering Fire Restoration Estimation Part 1

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

The first phase is gathering data on what emergency services were involved.

Appraisal – An Effective Method for Dispute Resolution

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

An appraisal clause proves a useful tool as claims become more often contested.

10 Tips Restorers Should Consider When Working for Homeowners

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0400

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.

The Value of Working With a Restoration Coach

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0400

At some point, you will run into situations where your livelihood may be threatened. This is when you will need advice from someone who may have experienced a similar situation or knows how to navigate through the challenges. So, what is a restoration coach and how can they bring value to your company?

Spalling: The Effect High Heat Has on Concrete and 5 Steps for Restoration

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0500

When buildings are damaged or destroyed by fire, it is not uncommon to see the surfaces of exposed concrete or masonry exhibit scarring, pitting or cratering. This phenomenon is known as spalling. The costs for extensive testing, and attempts at cleaning or restoration, can be very expensive.

Soot, Char and Ash: It’s More Toxic Than You Think

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

When you think of charred wood, ash left behind after a wildfire or soot, you might think that they are little more than harmless byproducts of incomplete combustion. Images of people sifting through the ash in their street clothes to find valuables, or walking through a burned-out home in shorts and flip-flops, gives the impression that post-fire environments are relatively safe. However, this is far from the truth.

Using Ozone in Fire Restoration: Is It a Friend or a Foe?

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 09:30:00 -0500

In the fire restoration industry today, many practitioners use ozone generators as one of their primary means to neutralize smoke odor. Although ozone may be effective to some degree in neutralizing odors, many experts disagree on its effectiveness and whether the risks outweigh the rewards. So, what is ozone? And what are the associated health risks? Sean and Briana Scott examine the effects of ozone exposure and offer necessary precautions for working with ozone.

Dispute Resolution: 5 Options for the Restoration Contractor When the Adjuster Refuses to Pay

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Inevitably, if you are a restoration company, sooner or later you will run into situations where the adjuster won’t pay for work you completed or only a fraction of what you have estimated the cost to be. In these situations, restorers have a few options, which depend in large part as to how far you’re willing to go, how much you’re willing to spend and if the risk is worth the reward.

7 Steps for Successful Smoke Odor Remediation

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Every fire has its own chemical makeup or DNA – the fuels that burned, the types of chemicals that have reacted or interacted, the duration of the fire, the intensity of the heat, the odors and gases the fire generates all contribute to the uniqueness and toxicity of structure fire environments.

Prequalifying Property Restoration Projects: Sometimes the Best Jobs are the Ones You Didn’t Take

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 15:00:00 -0400

Every restoration company encounters a certain percentage of projects that turn out to be undesirable, unprofitable, or uncollectible. Sean Scott likes to call these jobs the rotten eggs of restoration. Here he shares key things to consider when job leads are called in.

Deodorizing Fire- or Smoke-Damaged Lumber

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Not all fire restoration practitioners handle deodorizing fire- or smoke-damaged lumber the same, but there are some methods that work better than others. Here are nine steps that may be helpful.

5 Ways Restorers Can Help Disaster Survivors, Even if There Isn’t a Job in It for Them

sean@theredguidetorecovery.com (Sean M. Scott) — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 09:30:00 -0400

The story behind Sean Scott’s decision to author the book The Red Guide to Recovery, and five tips on how restorers can give back or help their community, even if there isn’t a job in it for them.

Real Stories: Restorer’s Digest With Sean Scott

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 09:30:00 -0400

In this first-ever Real Stories in Restoration episode, disaster restoration expert and author Sean Scott joins us to share insights from his 43 years in restoration and construction, takeaways from three of his publications, fire and smoke damage restoration tips, and more. Watch through the end for exciting news on what’s ahead for him and R&R.