Restoration Today

The restoration labor market is changing—and so are employee expectations. In the third 2026 State of the Industry Deep Dive on Hiring & Retention, in partnership with  KnowHow , join our panel of industry leaders as they break down hiring trends, retention strategies, compensation data, and what it takes to build a company people want to work for.

What makes The Collective one of restoration's must-attend events? Beth Thompson from  CORE Group  shares what's new for 2026, including: Hands-on AI workshops An exciting keynote from Savannah Bananas Head Coach Tyler Gillum Fresh networking opportunities designed to bring contractors, vendors, and carriers together ...and MORE! If you're attending—or thinking about it—this episode gi...

Asbestos isn't a thing of the past—and assuming it is can put your crew, your customers, and even your family at risk. Dr. Catherine Perrault, Chief Medical Officer at the  Mesothelioma Center , breaks down the myths, the science behind asbestos exposure, and the practical steps every restoration company should take to stay safe.

What does it take to lead in today’s restoration industry? In this episode, Shawn Hester, Director of Operations at  Disaster Restoration Systems/1800 Water Damage of Harrisburg , shares how his background in Air Force combat search and rescue shaped his approach to restoration—where urgency, adaptability, and mission clarity matter every day. From building workflows before technology to leveragin...

Accountability is one of the most misunderstood ideas in business especially in restoration companies. In this episode of Chasing the Vision (in partnership with Violand Management Associates ), we break down why accountability is not something you install through systems, scorecards, or SOPs. It’s something leaders create through behavior, consistency, and expectations. Joined by Katie Smith of P...

Claim volume is down—but the complexity of the industry is rising. Aaron Brunko from  Verisk  breaks down what’s driving the shift, from changing consumer behavior to tighter margins, and how AI-powered estimating is reshaping the future for contractors.

In a market full of uncertainty and unsolicited offers, it’s easy for business owners to get pulled out of position. In this Mini Motivation episode, JT Kraai, of  Exit Strategies 360,  breaks down why staying in the driver’s seat—through data, process, and discipline—is the key to protecting your business and maximizing its value. Because if you’re not controlling the deal, someone else is.

Welcome back to Phil & Michelle's Happy Hour! In this episode, Michelle & Phil Rosebrook Jr. of  Business Mentors,  talk with Mark Davis, of  Signal  and  PuroClean , and Justin Woodard, of  Woodard Cleaning and Restoration , about all things RIA: from the buzz around the 80th anniversary convention to where the industry is heading next. They share real takeaways, stories from the event, a...

In this episode of Restoration Master Class, sponsored by  DocuSketch , Michelle and Todd Sangid, Enterprise Solutions Consultant at DocuSketch, break down what “scaling” really means—and why so many restoration companies get it wrong. As the industry faces a perfect storm of shifting claims behavior, rapid tech evolution, and tightening margins, growth isn’t just about revenue—it’s about building...

n this second 2026 State of the Industry Deep Dive, presented in partnership with  KnowHow , Michelle Blevins & Travis Martin, of KnowHow, talk with industry leaders Kristin Whitley Smith ( Mooring Recovery Services ), Sarah Cowell ( PHC Restoration ), and Jessica Wescott ( Stellar Service Brands ) and tackle the restoration industry's most pressing challenge: getting paid. Drawing directl...

Most restoration owners think they understand their numbers… but they’re only seeing what’s above the waterline. In this episode, John Barnes, President & CEO of  Pendleton Street Business Advisors , breaks down what it really takes to understand your financial health—from cash flow and margins to smart growth and long-term value. If you’re navigating tighter margins, fewer claims, and more pr...

Processes don’t fix execution problems—they expose them. In this episode of Chasing the Vision (in partnership with  Violand Management Associates ), we break down why so many restoration companies rely on processes as a quick fix—when the real issue is leadership and behavior. If you want consistent results, it starts with people first. Tim Hull & Michelle Blevins dive into how disciplined le...

What’s really driving growth in restoration today? Grace Weller, Chief Marketing Officer of  Rumsey Construction and Restoration,  joins the show to break down how marketing and sales are evolving in the restoration industry. From shifting beyond traditional referral channels to building a more diversified strategy that includes digital lead generation, social media, and commercial relationships,...

The labor shortage in restoration is real—but what if the solution has been right in front of us? In this episode, Rod Cruce (former Green Beret, Ranger, and founder of  Trifecta Growth Institute ) breaks down how the “Hire Veteran” program is helping restoration companies connect with highly skilled, mission-driven talent. We dive into: Why veterans are a natural fit for the industry Biggest hiri...

In this Master Class episode, we dive into why the best restoration teams don’t rely on shortcuts—they rely on systems. Travis Martin, from  KnowHow , and Nelson Higgins, from  DocuSketch , break down the real reasons processes fail, from poor onboarding to lack of accountability, and how that leads to costly mistakes like missed documentation and re-inspections. They explore how tools like AI-dri...

Founder & CEO of  Dorothy , Arianna Armelli, shares how Dorothy is transforming the way restoration pros, public adjusters, and policyholders navigate storm damage and claims. Originally launched as a cash advancement business, the company pivoted to focus on advocacy and AI-driven damage intelligence. Dorothy aggregates real-time data across hurricanes, hail, wildfires, and more—helping ident...

Deep Dive #1 of 4 in The State of the Industry webinar series is here! Join C&R and  KnowHow  for an exclusive, interactive look at the 2026 report—breaking down key financial trends, workforce realities, tech shifts, and growth opportunities shaping restoration today. Discover what the data says about confidence, margins, and hiring, plus actionable strategies to guide your business decisions...

Severe convective storms are quietly becoming the biggest driver of insurance losses—and most people don’t even realize it. In this episode, Jon Schneyer of  Cotality  breaks down why hail, wind, and tornadoes are now outpacing hurricanes, what makes these storms so costly, and why “invisible” damage is a growing problem for property owners and contractors alike. From the surprising spread of stor...

What does it take to build a team that lasts in restoration? Jon Vogt and John Warnick, of  BluSky , share how they’ve stayed aligned for 15+ years—through growth, acquisitions, and change—by hiring for fit, leading with honesty, and protecting their culture.

In this episode, we sit down with Gokul Padmanabhan, the founder of the newly rebranded  Restoration Advisors of America , to break down what’s really happening in 2026. From a slowdown in M&A activity to the rise of tech-driven private equity, the landscape is shifting in ways every restoration business owner needs to understand. We explore the concept of K-shaped consolidation, why investors...

What does it take to build a restoration company that doesn’t rely on you? In this episode of The Restoration Master Class, in partnership with DocuSketch, special guests Ben Justesen, Enterprise Solutions Consultant at  DocuSketch  and Chris Laney, Senior Consultant at  Midwest Remediation , break down how to move from owner-dependent to system-driven—with clear processes, better documentation, a...

What happens when a family-run restoration business outgrows its limits? DJ McCabe shares how he helped scale  McCabe Restoration , navigated a family exit, and built  Endurant Disaster Recovery  into a growing Southeast platform—without losing what made it successful in the first place.

What actually makes a restoration company valuable?  In this episode of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with  Violand Management Associates,  Garrett Sigler, a former CFO in construction and restoration, explains why financial discipline is the foundation of enterprise value. Too many companies rely on assumptions, outdated spreadsheets, and incomplete data—leading to poor decisions and cash fl...

What happens when you launch two businesses at the same time—and scale to $7M? In this episode, Coral Martin, owner of  1-Tom-Plumber Space Coast , shares how she built a powerful combination of plumbing + restoration services to drive growth, efficiency, and consistent lead flow. From leveraging franchise support to integrating dispatch and office teams, Coral breaks down what’s working right now...

AI isn’t slowing down—it’s accelerating. In this episode of RestorAI, David Grove, of  BYLT Restoration , and Michelle break down the explosion of AI agents, the race to build massive data centers, and why some experts believe white-collar jobs could be reshaped in the next 18 months. From tools like Claude and autonomous “coworkers” to real-world use cases in restoration businesses, we explore wh...