Author name: Justin Hess

Winning the Talent War: How to Hire, Train, and Retain A-Player Restoration Technicians TL;DR: Key Takeaways Strategy Why It Works Hire for Attitude, Train for Skill You can teach technical skills, but you can’t teach a great work ethic and positive attitude. Prioritize character. Create a Career Path Show technicians a clear path for growth […]

The New Normal: Why Climate Change is the Biggest Growth Driver for the Restoration Industry TL;DR: Key Takeaways Climate Trend Impact on Restoration Contractors Increased Severe Storms Higher frequency of water, wind, and hail damage leads to more consistent, year-round work. Widespread Wildfires Creates massive demand for smoke and soot damage restoration, a once-niche service

Beyond Mitigation: Creating Bulletproof Digital Job Files That Insurance Adjusters Love TL;DR: Key Takeaways Technology Primary Benefit for Claims 3D Scanning (Matterport) Creates an irrefutable “digital twin” of the property, eliminating arguments over the scope of the loss. Drones Safely and quickly documents roof and exterior damage with high-resolution photos and video. Thermal Imaging Provides

“I Need to Call My Insurance First”: Handling the Top 5 Restoration Objections TL;DR: Key Takeaways The Objection The Core Strategy “I need to call my insurance first.” Reframe the conversation around their “Duty to Mitigate” damage, which their policy requires. “Can you give me a price over the phone?” Position an on-site inspection as

Are Your Marketing Dollars Working? A Contractor’s Guide to Call Tracking and ROI TL;DR: Key Takeaways Key Concept Why It’s a Game-Changer Call Tracking (DNI) Lets you know with 100% certainty which marketing channel (Google, Facebook, etc.) generated each phone call. Advanced Metrics Move beyond just counting calls to track lead *quality* by measuring call

A Plumber’s Guide: How Partnering with a Restoration Pro Can Boost Your Business TL;DR: Key Takeaways Benefit of Partnership Why It Matters for Your Plumbing Business Protect Your Reputation Referring a trusted pro prevents callbacks from angry customers who have secondary damage like mold. Create New Revenue A formal referral system provides a steady stream

The Power of Pay-Per-Call: Stop Paying for Clicks, Start Paying for Jobs TL;DR: Key Takeaways Marketing Model The Fundamental Flaw The Retainer Trap (SEO Agencies) You pay for effort and time, with no guarantee of a single lead. Your budget is tied to promises, not performance. The Click Gamble (PPC Ads) You pay for all

Why Your Restoration Website Isn’t Generating Leads (And How to Fix It) TL;DR: Key Takeaways Key SEO Concept Why It Matters for Generating Leads “Brochure” vs. “Lead Machine” A “Lead Machine” website is built for one purpose: immediate conversion (calls and forms), not just providing company information. Google Business Profile (GBP) For local emergencies, your

The First 5 Minutes: A Playbook for Converting Calls into Jobs The phone rings. That’s our promise. It’s a local homeowner with a water damage emergency, and you are the first—and only—contractor they are calling. This is a golden opportunity. But what happens in the next 300 seconds will determine whether you book a profitable

The AI Revolution: How Artificial Intelligence Will Reshape Your Restoration Business For many restoration owners, “Artificial Intelligence” sounds like science fiction—something for tech giants in Silicon Valley, not for a contractor with a fleet of drying equipment. But the revolution isn’t coming. It’s already here. AI is quietly becoming the single most powerful force for