Restoration Today

In this episode, two volunteers for the RIA Legislative Task Force, Vince Scarfo, COO of  Clear Team , and Justin Woodard, Owner and CEO of  Woodard Cleaning and Restoration , break down the key legal and regulatory issues impacting the restoration industry right now. From unfair price gouging laws to the absence of a unique NAICS code, restorers across the country are facing challenges that many...

Michelle sits down with David Grove, owner and founder of  BYLT Restoration , at The Collective, to talk about how he's integrating AI into daily operations, what’s coming next with BYLT’s AI-powered newsletters and videos, how to improve your prompts with AI, the top AI tools and social media follows he recommends, and MORE! Don't miss this insightful conversation! Sign up for the newsletter here...

Kenneth Klein, law professor at California Western School of Law and former defense attorney, joins the podcast to unpack his groundbreaking paper, " The Case for Pausing Any Immediate Embrace of the Social Inflation Argument for Legal System Reforms."  In this conversation, Professor Klein shares how a personal disaster led him to study catastrophe insurance, why the "social inflation" argument s...

In this special episode of Restoration Today, Michelle sat down with Allen Reid at The Collective to talk about the heart behind restoration, his role as Director of Client Relations at  Dwyer Restoration , how to pivot sales strategies when the industry slows down, favorite takeaway from The Collective, and MORE!

“Main Street Restorer” is a new inspiring video series showcasing real-world challenges and practical advice from seasoned broker, Gokul Padmanabhan of  Restoration Brokers of America , helping entrepreneurs discover innovative solutions and strategies for success. Journey with Gokul as he shares stories and wisdom on helping Main Street Restorers grow, thrive, and prepare for the future – whateve...

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Claps, CEO, and John Ortega, GM, at  Voda Cleaning & Restoration  to explore what sets their franchise apart in today’s competitive market. From their growing national network to the unique challenges franchisees are facing—and overcoming—we dig into what makes Voda different. You’ll hear about standout jobs, the demographics driving their workforce, where...

In this episode, we sit down with Skip Jankoski, owner of  Purified Environments , to unpack the intersection of mold remediation, indoor air quality, and public health. Skip shares his perspective on the latest NIH updates, the unique needs of sensitized individuals, and how evolving science—and even climate change—are reshaping industry standards. From busting dangerous mold myths to highlightin...

Thinking about selling your restoration business? In this episode of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 and Violand Management Associates, Michelle, JT Kraai, and Tim Hull break down the real deal structure variables you need to know—cash, rollover equity, notes, earnouts, and more. Learn why all-cash exits are rare, why post-sale involvement often matters, and how to posi...

In this episode of RestoreAI, we’re joined by David Grove from  BYLT Restoration  to explore Notebook LLM — a powerful, source-driven AI that creates reports, videos, podcasts, timelines, study guides, and more from your uploaded content (not random internet searches). Key Takeaways: How Notebook LLM avoids AI “hallucinations” by relying strictly on your sources. Real-world demo: Adding content fr...

In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Buttenham, Co-Founder of  Reins  and co-author of Alternative Equity: The Owner’s Guide to Phantom Stock & Modern Incentives. Chris breaks down how business owners can retain and inspire top talent without giving up ownership—using modern incentive models like phantom stock. We cover: What phantom stock is and how it compares to equity or profit-sharing T...

Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results. Erik Berglund, expert and founder of  The Language of Leadership , in collaboration with  RTILearning.com,  presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.” This series offers actionable insights on building high...

Insurance can make or break a restoration business. In this episode, David Dybdahl of ARMR Network dives into the evolution of specialized insurance for restoration contractors and why mold-related risks and pollution liability coverage matter more than ever. In this episode:✔️ Why specialized contractor pollution liability insurance is essential✔️ How frequent policy changes can leave you exposed...

Rising rebuild costs. Tighter insurance markets. Labor shortages. A volatile storm season. In this Market Update, Tim Hull, of  Violand Management Associates , shares insights from his article “Secret Sauce” and covers: Why discipline beats “easy button” fixes Cash flow strategies for CAT season KPIs contractors must track weekly How to retain and empower teams under pressure The biggest opportuni...

Why the big rebrand? What does Trusted Restorer bring to independent and growing contractors—and how are they helping restorers compete against big franchises? In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Hadley, Program Manager, & Darcy Koan, VP & GM, of  Trusted Restorer  to talk about: ✨ The story behind the rebrand from More Floods ✨ How they empower restoration contractors to grow and th...

What’s really shaping restoration in 2025?In this exclusive Market Update episode, we sit down with Aaron Brunko, President, and David Obert, Chief Product Officer, of Verisk Property Estimating Solutions to unpack key industry shifts. Topics we cover: Verisk’s pending acquisition of AccuLynx and what it means for roofing How AI, data stewardship, and privacy are influencing workflows Market data:...

After 20 years in restoration, Katie Smith, second-generation owner and CEO of  PHC Restoration , has discovered that success isn’t just about profit—it’s about people, purpose, and impact. She shares how personal transformation, strategic planning, and clear leadership roles reshaped her company. From cash flow protection to thriving as an independent restorer, this episode delivers hard-earned w...

In this episode of Restoration Today, Robbie Bradshaw, IICRC’s Director of Government Relations, shares the latest wins for the restoration industry on Capitol Hill. From pushing mold legislation in states like Michigan to securing the adoption of the S520 standard, Robbie’s work is all about protecting public health and raising the bar for remediation. He reveals how recent federal changes now al...

Welcome to the first episode of RestorAI, where hosts Michelle Blevins and co-host Dave Grove, of  Bylt Restoration , explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the restoration industry. In under five minutes, they break down the different types of AI—research AI, co-pilot AI, generative AI, vision AI, predictive AI, and more—explaining how each can be leveraged in real-world restorati...

Eric Berglund discusses how to effectively integrate AI into team operations, emphasizing responsible usage rather than focusing on specific tools. He outlines four main applications of AI in businesses: 1) Data Analysis: AI can process large datasets to provide insights for better decision-making, but caution is needed to maintain familiarity with the data to avoid misinterpretation. 2) Content C...

Join Michelle outside one of Michigan’s most magical landmarks – an iconic Mushroom House in Charlevoix – for a conversation that bridges the whimsical and the cutting-edge. In this special on-the-road episode of Restoration Today, Michelle sits down with Jeff Diem of Elkmont Estimates and Levlr to talk about what it would take to restore a property like this, both structurally and historically. F...

In this episode, we’re joined by two industry innovators tackling some of restoration’s most frustrating challenges head-on: Lindsay Bunker, Co-Founder & CEO of  JobSight , and Lane Larsen, Founder & CEO of  CleanClaims . Together, they unpack how their platforms were born out of firsthand experience in the field—and why tech that actually solves problems is more critical than ever. From m...

In season 2, episode 5 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with  Exit Strategies 360⁠  and  Violand Management Associates , we dive into the side of business growth we avoid talking about—the emotional side. From scaling your company to planning an exit (or not), the journey is rarely just about numbers and strategy. It’s about identity, trust, fear, and learning when to listen to your gut. JT K...

In this episode, we sit down with Leslie Anderson, SVP of Training & Launch at  Paul Davis  and President/Chair of the IICRC Board of Directors. Leslie shares her incredible journey in the restoration industry, her leadership role at Paul Davis, and the critical work she’s doing with the IICRC. From new certifications and standards in development to the broader pulse of the restoration world,...

What makes a trade show worth your time—and how do you choose which ones to attend? In this episode, Michelle sits down with Beth Thompson, VP of Events at  CORE Group , and Ryan Pritchard, VP of Sales & Marketing at  PSA , to talk all things restoration industry events. With years of experience attending conferences across the country, they break down what’s working in 2025, how their compani...

Sales in restoration isn’t like sales anywhere else—and in a year where volume might be down, many companies are asking: How do we innovate, adapt, and keep revenue flowing? In this episode, we talk with Gregg Taylor of  Restoration Recruitment Partners , an industry pro with deep roots in the field and a passion for building high-performing sales teams. We cover: Why restoration sales is a differ...