Restoration contractors know that no one wants to be in a position where they need water damage restoration services. When a customer makes that call, there’s no time to waste. And while water damage restoration services have been around for decades, the industry is rapidly changing. New technologies, the evolving customer wants, and needs and legal protocols keep restoration businesses working to improve and innovate every day. This article outlines five prominent trends shaping the water damage restoration and repair industry in 2023.
Technological Advancements
The restoration industry continues to grow and innovate as new technologies emerge. When a home or business suffers water damage, you have to think about more than just cleaning up the water. How can contractors most effectively get the job done while prioritizing customer care?
Thankfully, companies across the globe are creating new technologies that provide solutions to these questions. Three-dimensional cameras are among the newest additions to the water damage restoration tech industry. These cameras allow restoration businesses to provide accurate, remote site scans of damaged properties. Restoration contractors then use these scans to assist adjusters, property managers, and individuals in moving forward in the claims process.
Even the way restoration contractors communicate within their offices is changing. Water damage restoration and repair companies utilize mobile apps to record everything about a project. From client information to the next steps in the restoration process, these apps and programs keep all of a firm’s data on the cloud. This allows them to access all of their documentation no matter where they’re working on a project, and everyone on the team can see any real-time changes to an account.
The technological advancements don’t stop there. From client communication to moisture mapping to service estimates, there’s a program for every restoration operation. These software innovations allow restoration firms to provide more efficient and more accurate services than ever before.
Chemicals Used
Water damage restoration and repair businesses should constantly evaluate the chemicals and equipment they use in their processes. Today, customers are especially conscious of the chemicals that come into their homes. As a result, restorers aim to provide green, safe, and even organic products to help restore a water-damaged structure. And customers expect it. From the product down to the packaging, consumers want to work with companies that value both their health and the environment’s health.
Homeowners know that improper water damage restoration can result in irreparable damage to their houses and lingering mold that can negatively affect their families for years to come. Today’s consumers realize the dangers of mold in their home, and they don’t want their loved ones inhaling harsh restoration chemicals. When consumer safety and quality service are the priorities, water damage restoration companies will work to provide safe and effective green products for their customers.
Better Management Practices
The water damage restoration and repair industry continues to develop and change. The entire industry must evaluate its leadership and plan to execute an increasingly complex business model. Evolving customer expectations means businesses need to grow to meet customer demands.
The Restoration Industry Association’s Advocacy and Government Affairs (AGA) committee is a critical step to a more organized and thriving industry. The effort, announced in 2019, continues to influence the restoration industry for the better. The AGA unites the restoration industry and advocates for the best interests of restoration contractors across the country. Advocating for restoration contractors’ financial and legal interests, the AGA empowers local firms to do what they do best: serve their customers.
Training and Education
Legal developments are constantly arising in the water damage restoration and repair industry. New legislation and protocols put a lot of pressure on contractors. As a result, we have seen a big emphasis on training and education for individuals in this market.
The Restoration Industry Association offers training courses to help business owners and their employees thoroughly understand their specific restoration field. This education gives restoration contractors the know-how to do the job right the first time. But we also see a need for legal training. As restoration laws frequently change, contractors must keep abreast of new legal developments to ensure their team conducts business and carries out protocols according to the most recent legislation.
National Credentials
Customers needing water damage restoration and repair services know that they’re putting their home in that contractor’s hands when they call upon a contractor. For that reason, homeowners and property managers look for specific certifications that show a restoration contractor’s legitimacy. Restoration contractors seek out these national credentials to prove to their customers that they’re capable of handling anything:
- IICRC Certification – The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification provides nationally recognized certifications that provide the highest quality concepts and procedures for contractors to follow.
- EPA Lead-Safe Certification – This certification requires contractors to practice lead-safe work protocols when repairing and renovating structures where lead-based paint has been disturbed.
- Bonding – Bonding ensures the customer’s home is fully covered should the restoration company cause any damage.
- Contractors Pollution Liability Insurance – CPL insurance provides third-party coverage should damage occur due to pollution caused by work done by a restoration company.
Conclusion
When a person makes the call to a water damage restoration and repair company, there’s no time to waste. Water damage and problems arising from water damage can destroy a home in days or even hours. When a home suffers water damage, time is of the essence.
That’s why you must work with a restoration contractor who can answer the call, evaluate the damage, and begin water damage mitigation immediately. Restoration contractors save thousands of homes from total ruin every year. When you work with contractors who see your water damage problem as their own, you know you’re in good hands.
While the water damage restoration industry is ever-changing, you can count on trustworthy, professional contractors to adapt to those changes and continue to provide excellent services that save your home and provide a safe, comfortable place for you and your family.