The industry is beginning to unify and collaborate in many ways that can improve its sustainability. Several examples that I can speak to personally include the growth of the enterprise members within the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). High-level executives are participating in industry initiatives in ways that I have not seen in many years. Also, the partnership of IICRC and RIA is yielding fruit in standards development, industry guidance, advocacy and career path development.

I continue to believe that managed repair programs provide a disadvantage and long-term challenge to restoration companies. The guidelines for these programs often are not based on market conditions, but rather insurance carrier edicts. They result in precedents that have sweeping implications for companies that choose not to acquire leads in this fashion. Because many restoration companies have come to rely on the business that is generated by these programs, they sometimes have little choice in the important decisions that face their organizations.

My goal is always the same: Do what I can to work with others to leave this industry better than we found it.

The RIA is working to build out the seventh and final step of the Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA) blueprint. This pertains specifically to legislative and government lobbying. I believe that, in the near future, there will be legislation, likely at the state level, that will threaten the rights of restoration contractors. These will likely be positioned as “consumer protection laws,” but I suspect that the consumer will not be protected, at all, by these laws. The restoration industry is long overdue in having a voice in the venues and halls of our state and federal government, I hope to see the industry unite around us in this challenge.