December 2021 Vol.15 No. 12

Restoration Industry SWOT Analysis

To pay homage to an eventful 2021 and help restorers ring in a prosperous 2022, R&R decided to go beyond the standard year-in-review piece. We asked thought leaders from across the industry to share what they consider strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. With those perspectives, we curated a comprehensive, long-form collection of restoration industry SWOT analyses for your exploration.

On the Cover

Features

Top Takeaways from 2021

We asked restoration industry professionals to answer one question as we close out the year: What is your biggest takeaway from 2021? Watch this video to see 10 industry peers reflect on what will stick with them most from the past 12 months, from pandemic-induced pivoting, to professional development, to business growth, to family, to personal health and wellness.

by Valerie King

Inside Hurricane Ida Disaster Response Efforts

On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall on Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. PuroClean Residential Loss Division Vice President Bart Meador leads a team that steps in to respond on the ground and mobilize teams following such disasters. He shares PuroClean’s experience responding to Ida, including its impact on the Northeast.

by Bart Meador

The Future of the Industry

Even if you don’t believe millennials are ready for the business of restoration, realize that they are already opening businesses and that many restorers are retiring. Consider millennials your peers and help the industry transition well into the future by helping them to succeed in business.

by Chris McQueen

Restorer’s Digest: 5 Options When the Adjuster Refuses to Pay

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.

by Sean Scott

Great Reads for Growing Your Restoration Business in 2022

Eric Sprague and Larry Wilberton used many books to help build their cleaning and restoration business, but these four are the ones that impacted them the most. Regardless of what books you choose for yourself, Sprague’s call to action for anyone reading this article is to commit to reading to improve your skills.

by Eric Sprague

Thermal Cameras: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Thermal imagers have proven their value in the restoration industry over the last two decades and transitioned from a fancy accessory to a more widely used tool. Brent Lammert provides answers to common questions about thermal imaging, from how they work to who on your team should use the technology.

by Brent Lammert

Severe Report: Creating a Culture of Accountability

Remember, good is the enemy of great. You might pay little attention to accountability standards and still find a way to grow a good company. But especially at a time when customers and employees have more choices than ever, and margins continue to grow thinner, becoming a truly great company in the long term requires 100% accountability throughout your entire organization.

by Scott Severe

The APA Watchdog Has Its Eyes on Insurers’ Engineers

By being proactive and educating property owners about the risks of dishonest engineering and insurer fraud, you can help defend your clients from unethical claims professionals, Jack Hanks and Doug Quinn write. This will help ensure fair insurance markets where policyholders suffering a loss have the best chance for an honest claim and a smoother process of rebuilding their property. When this happens, the consumer, the restoration professional and the insurer win.

by Jack Hanks and Doug Quinn

Some Things Old, New, Borrowed and Blue: Restoration Edition

Here, Lisa Lavender, Chuck Boutall and John Perella of Restoration Technical Institute share tips on deploying new tools and tech within your organization. They also share some of their favorite things: Old, new, borrowed and blue.

by Restoration Technical Institute

Expediting Restoration Claims With the Help of Drones

Drone software and hardware capabilities are expanding each year, with significant implications for the restoration and insurance industries. Advancements in AI and photogrammetry make for more accurate and comprehensive reporting on damaged structures. For example, thermal mapping via drones allows assessors to spot leaks and water damage on a roof without needing to climb said roof.

by James Pipe

Identify Your Company’s Pain Points and Start Solving Them With Tech

I get it, Chris White writes. People don’t like to change. However, the technology that is available today makes it unacceptable to use old-school methods. There’s a threshold beyond which a reluctance to grow and change is no longer a neutral choice or a matter of quirky personal preference. It’s irresponsible and, simply, bad business.

by Chris White

Will 2022 Resemble 2021?

Les Cunningham shares 13 reflections and predictions for restoration business owners to consider as they plan for 2022, from working with TPAs, to increasing labor and material prices, to COVID-19 effects.

by Les Cunningham

Columns & Departments

RandRmagonline.com | December 2021

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