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Safety And Design Of Restoration Equipment

This story wouldn’t have happened without a bomb shelter oceans and continents away. Almost 30 years have passed since I was 15 years old. At present, I live in San Diego which is so similar but also so different from where I grew up, a Kibbutz in north Israel, next to the Lebanese border. One such difference: the occasional rain of bombs falling from the sky, which required the use of shelters. A new one was built in my Kibbutz and a decision was made to give it a secondary purpose, to be a

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DE&I: What Does It Mean to Me in the Workplace?

If you have not heard the acronym DE&I, you may be living under a rock. Just kidding! But seriously, what is DE&I? Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the initiative to recognize input from a diverse group of individuals who otherwise feel silenced based on several demographics such as: age, race, gender orientation, socio-economic background, physical characteristics, religion, ethnicity, and disability.   First, let us define and breakdown the meaning and definition of each area.  Diversity creates more ideas, more collaboration, and more points of view leading to a better product. When companies open themselves to

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The Current Restoration Climate: Profit, Efficiency, & Continuity

Ahead of the C&R State of the Industry reveal, we sat down with Violand Management Associates GM Tim Hull to discuss overall industry trends, the economy, what might lie ahead, and more. This conversation explores the belief that the restoration industry is economic-proof. While that is true to a certain degree, businesses can still struggle in a down economy, or when faced with high inflation, high labor costs, and supply chain issues. Tim shares some insights and resources for business continuity planning. Tim and Michelle also discuss being a profitable business, and running an

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IICRC Updates

Renewal Season: It’s time to renew your IICRC Certified Firm status! Log in today and use your exclusive benefits to reach your goals in 2023. Start here. New Standard Proposed: The IICRC announces the initiation of a new proposed American National Standard focusing on commercial resilient flooring. The BSR/IICRC S250 Standard for Professional Cleaning and Maintenance of Commercial Resilient Floor Coverings will describe the procedures to be followed by professional floor care providers to evaluate resilient flooring and apply the appropriate cleaning and maintenance processes.  To submit your application, click here. IICRC Field Guide

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Patience vs. Tolerance

Knowing the difference could lower your blood pressure and change the way the game is played.  As noted in my previous article, one of the obstacles I had to overcome as a leader is distinguishing the difference between patience and tolerance. Once I understood the difference, it relieved a lot of internal issues I had been struggling with in getting our team members to align themselves with our company goals and processes and improve performances. Have you ever finished a conversation with one of your team members that left you almost speechless and shaking

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Dear David: I’m Confused about General Liability and Additional Insured Coverage

Dear David, Liability insurance is expensive. I am required in contracts to carry a Commercial General Liability (“CGL”) policy.  The contracts typically require the owners of the projects to be named as additional insureds and that the owners be indemnified, held harmless, and defended. My broker tells me I have an endorsement that generically addresses the additional insured. He also tells me to resist the language for indemnification, hold harmless, and defend. When I do, I lose the contracts. How can the latter part be insured in a CGL policy? Dear Value Shopper, Lots

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OSHA Laws & Regulations: The Importance of Compliance

If your a restoration business owner, you should be familiar with OSHA, or the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA). If you’re newer to restoration or interested in learning more about protecting your employees, we will discuss some critical regulations and their importance. OSHA forms part of the United States Department of Labor, . These are federal guidelines that you need to abide by; this means EVERYONE, there are no exceptions, has to follow these guidelines. The purpose is to ensure the safety of workers and prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. There are, however, some state

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The 4 Modes of Profitability for Contractors

Publisher’s Note: Welcome to an all-new series in C&R exploring the hot topic of Overhead & Profit – O&P. This series will bring together articles from several industry experts who specialize and train on estimating, getting paid, and legal matters.   In my 20+ years of experience working in this industry, I have observed and participated in the rise as well as the fall of many business ventures. Everyone who starts a business knows profitability is important, but too often contractors treat it as optional. This article will be the first in a series

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Competitive Advantage: How Your Equipment Can Make You Stand Out

As cleaning professionals, we know that key technological advancements have changed the face of cleaning and restoration, increasing both efficiency and sustainability across the industry. Traditionally, restoration services have required massive amounts of water and potent chemicals to restore various surfaces, from tile and stone to smoke-damaged fabric and carpet. However, advancements in the design and production of pressure washing and steam cleaning equipment have increased temperature and pressure levels that provide higher quality results and require less effort.  Types Of Equipment To Have In Your Kit Pressure Washer Commercial and industrial-grade pressure washers

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Is it Grit We Need More Of?

I love our industry- the pace, and the chaos. I think you either have to enjoy the wild unpredictability of it, or you have to be wired in such a way that you enjoy bringing order and stability to the chaos. It’s no surprise to me that many restoration operators are former military, emergency responders or law enforcement.  And I also marvel at our administrative pros in this industry that year after year “hold down the fort” and manage to support our teams and hold up the systems and procedures that make a business

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