Let’s be honest: we work harder than ever, yet margins keep shrinking.
That’s the reality in today’s restoration industry. Adjusters push for lower payouts, MRP’s add hoops to jump through, and operational chaos eats away at your profits before the invoice even goes out the door. And the worst part? Most restorers I talk to feel like they’re running faster, only to find themselves in the same place.
If you’ve been there — exhausted, frustrated, wondering why all this hard work doesn’t seem to pay off — you’re not alone. I’ve been in those same trenches. I know what it’s like to face the late-night paperwork, the phone calls from clients in crisis, and the endless back-and-forth with insurance that leaves you feeling like a middleman instead of the hero you really are.
That’s why this column exists. Ask Kris Anything is your space to get straight answers to the questions that keep you up at night — the kind of operational, estimating, and profitability challenges that don’t get solved in a quick Facebook post. Each month, I’ll tackle one reader-submitted question head-on, pulling from real-world strategies, frameworks, and lessons I’ve learned over decades in the field.
Why Listen to Me?
I didn’t get here by reading a manual. I got here by living through the hard stuff. I’ve run multi-branch operations. Bought into a company with no cash down, then turned it around from near-collapse. Fired a client that made up 40% of our revenue — and lived to tell about it. Navigated market downturns, fraud, and even the loss of a business partner. Along the way, I’ve rebuilt teams, overhauled processes, and driven profits into companies that looked like they would be on the brink of bankruptcy.
I am proud to have achieved the designation of Certified Restorer and was subsequently asked to serve as an instructor for the Fire Loss Specialist and Water Loss Specialist Programs. I have achieved the IICRC’s Triple Masters, was a professor for the Humber College Restoration Program, and was the first independent Xactimate Certified Trainer in Canada. I’ve also helped move a legal file into a precedent-setting case in Canada. As one of the first employees at Encircle, I helped scale the platform to over 60,000 daily users in more than 40 countries, connecting restorers to the insurance adjuster, the homeowner, and their teams in the field.
But more importantly, I’ve sat where you’re sitting. I’ve felt the same frustrations you feel right now. And I’ve learned how to turn them into profitable, sustainable systems that let you run your business instead of it running you.
The Big Picture: Where We Are & Where We’re Going
Right now, most restorers are working harder than ever for less margin. The companies that will thrive over the next five years aren’t necessarily the ones doing the most jobs — they’re the ones who master operational systems and profitability.
The future belongs to the restorers who:
- Systematize estimating so margins are protected from the start.
- Train teams to think like owners, so decisions in the field align with profitability goals.
- Choose clients strategically instead of saying yes to every job.
- Embrace technology that actually improves efficiency, not just adds complexity.
- Master the craft, as every step forward makes expertise more valuable.
And here’s the truth: the gap between profitable and unprofitable companies is going to get wider — fast. This column exists to help you get, and stay, on the right side of that gap.
What You Can Expect from This Column
Every month, I’ll answer one question from a C&R reader. It could be:
- “How do I get paid for line items that carriers keep denying?”
- “What’s the fastest way to train new estimators without slowing production?”
- “Why do I need to treat Category 2 like a Category 3?
- “When is it time to fire a client — and how do you do it without burning bridges?”
No theory. No fluff. Just battle-tested strategies that you can put to work immediately.
Why Your Questions Matter
This column isn’t about me showing you how smart I am — it’s about solving your problems. The more specific your questions, the more actionable my answers can be. If you’ve been thinking, “I wish someone could just tell me how to deal with this”, that’s exactly the kind of question I want.
How to Submit Your Question
Send your question using the form on the landing page. Include your name, company, and location if you’d like to be featured — or submit anonymously if you prefer.
Why I’m Excited About October 30th
I believe restorers deserve better than shrinking margins and endless battles with carriers. That’s why I’ve spent the last several years building a program that connects what happens in the field with the profitability you see in the office.
On October 30th, we officially launch Estimating Secrets, the flagship course from Profitable Restorer.
This isn’t another surface-level training or a one-off webinar. It’s the system I’ve used personally — and taught to restoration companies across the US and Canada — to protect your margins, speed up approvals, and free up your time so you can focus on running projects and the business. It’s the same approach I’ve taught to companies that went from barely breaking even to hitting record profits.
Here’s what you can expect inside Estimating Secrets:
- A proven framework to write estimates that carriers respect and pay faster.
- Tools to stop margin erosion before it starts.
- A repeatable system your estimators and project managers can use immediately (no matter their experience level).
- Lessons forged from the trenches, from firing a 40% client to driving a 30% net profit turnaround.
This launch matters because the industry is changing fast. The gap between companies that master estimating and those who “just get by” is only going to get wider. Estimating Secrets is designed to put you on the profitable side of that gap.
So yes, I’m excited about October 30th, not because it’s the launch of our course, but because it’s the start of something bigger: a movement to help restorers align their mission with the profitability they need to keep serving people at their best. To be part of the movement, head to our website at profitablerestorer.com.
We’re in This Together
The restoration industry isn’t easy — but it’s worth it. Every day, you’re walking into someone’s worst moment and helping put their life back together. That’s noble work. But you can’t keep doing it if your business is running on fumes.
That’s why I’m here. That’s why this column exists. And that’s why I want your questions.
So tell me — what’s the one challenge that, if we solved it together, would make your business stronger this year?
Send your question today — and watch for your answer in next month’s column.
Kris Rzesnoski
Kris Rzesnoski is a restoration industry leader with deep operational, legal, and financial expertise. From running multi-branch operations to rebuilding a business from the ground up, he’s turned adversity—partner deaths, fraud, and client losses—into lessons in scalable success. A Triple Master Restorer and former professor, Kris has trained owners, testified in landmark legal cases, and led a $16M turnaround. As an early employee at Encircle, he helped scale the platform globally. Grounded in real-world experience, Kris is trusted for teaching restoration pros how to build profitable, resilient businesses—without sacrificing operational integrity or legal strength.
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