Introduction
Documenting a kitchen fire in a two-bedroom home is typically straightforward. Capturing damage across a 24-unit apartment building, fast, accurately, and in a way that stands up months later? That’s a different challenge.
For Deft Group, a Florida-based claims adjustment firm, this challenge grew as their projects became larger and more complex. They needed a way to scale without sacrificing accuracy or client trust.
Meanwhile, Flood Out Restoration in East Texas, a firm specializing in water damage restoration, faced a similar challenge from a different angle. Manual documentation of property damage was consuming large amounts of time and claims were stalled for weeks or months when measurements were off by a margin of even a few inches.
In today’s restoration industry, speed and precision aren’t optional—they’re the difference between winning and losing business. That’s why more restoration professionals are turning to property capture technology—digital tools such as LiDAR measurements, 3D virtual walkthroughs, and floor plans that streamline claims and workflows for an improved client experience.
Property Capture Technology Explained
Property capture technology set-up
At its core, property capture technology combines Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanning with 360º photography to capture spatial and visual records of a property in a single site visit.
Using time-of-flight LiDAR scanning, property capture technology, such as that offered by iGUIDE, delivers high-accuracy property data with measurement uncertainty as low as 0.5% or better for distance measurements on a floor plan and 1% or better for square footage. This technology quickly captures thousands of measurements with each scan. It also enables the ability to annotate in real-time points of interest in a property by using a tagging tool. The result? A defensible digital snapshot of the property that provides a complete visual record, allowing adjusters and contractors to ensure their documentation is complete and accurate.
Case Study: Deft Group
Deft Group initially began using property capture technology as a more scalable and reliable way to document properties, thereby growing their business as they expanded into larger, multi-unit jobs.
Jeremiah Kiefer
Founder Jeremiah Kiefer saw firsthand how traditional claims workflows, with manual measurements and scattered photos, created bottlenecks.
After his team started using property capture technology to document claims, he said 3D virtual walkthroughs and digital floor plans proved pivotal in handling larger jobs without sacrificing precision or client confidence.
“When we capture a virtual tour, we’re not just getting pretty pictures. We’re documenting every recess and alcove and minimizing the potential for claims disputes down the road,” he said.
Speed was also an important consideration. Kiefer’s team needed to document properties with dozens of units and obtain accurate measurements as quickly and consistently as possible.
The technology did this, while providing them with a comprehensive digital snapshot of a loss site, helping to eliminate guesswork and reduce repeat visits.
“We can get through a home in a third of the time it previously took using manual tools,” he said. “Even experienced adjusters using traditional laser tools can’t match the precision or consistency of property capture technology using LiDAR, especially at scale.”
He said his firm’s investment in property capture technology is roughly equivalent to the traditional labor costs necessary to do manual measurements, but with more precise and consistent results.
Case Study: Flood Out Restoration
Wes Markum
For Wes Markum, owner of Flood Out Restoration, accuracy was critical. He needed a way to document claims accurately, right down to small details like air ducts, fire suppression sprinklers, and recessed lights. His company was spending a lot of time working to get a sketch of the property, but they often had to make return visits to measure a wall or document other features.
“Insurance companies don’t pay us to perform the work; they pay us for documentation,” Markum said. “Without the right documentation, we don’t get paid.”
The payoff since his firm began using property capture technology? Faster claims and more business. “Claims that used to take two or three months, we’re now seeing done in days or weeks,” Markum says.
Smarter Workflows with Xactimate® Integration
One of the biggest workflow challenges in restoration is sharing accurate data among contractors, adjusters and insurers. Platforms that integrate with Verisk Xactimate® via ESX files solve this by:
- Allowing contractors and adjusters to work from the same data set.
- Eliminating manual re-entry of measurements into estimating tools.
- Enabling virtual walkthroughs directly within Xactimate for better collaboration.
For Deft Group and Flood Out Restoration, this integration has streamlined communication and reduced errors—especially on large, multi-stakeholder claims
Improving the Client Experience
According to a J.D. Power study released in 2025, homeowner satisfaction with insurance claims is decreasing. Mark Garrett, director of insurance intelligence at J.D. Power, summarized the findings saying, “Customers are, in essence, paying higher prices for slower service. The average claimant does not receive final payment on a claim until 44 days after the first notice of loss, and unless insurers are communicating frequently and clearly along the way, customer satisfaction suffers.”
Property capture technology changes that. By providing 3D virtual walkthroughs and accurate property data, firms can keep clients informed and confident during stressful times.
“We now have tools to communicate more effectively with our clients,” Kiefer said. “It gives them confidence when everything else feels uncertain.”
Markum agrees: “I haven’t had an adjuster not impressed that they can walk through the property themselves sitting at a desk and see everything we could see at the time of loss.”
A New Era for the Restoration Industry
The restoration industry is at a turning point. Property capture technology isn’t just a tool; it’s a competitive advantage. Firms that adopt it today gain more accurate documentation, faster workflows, and improved client satisfaction. Those who don’t risk falling behind in an industry where speed and accuracy define success.
Michael Vervena
Michael Vervena is Vice President of Sales & Business Development at iGUIDE, a leading platform for 3D virtual tours, floor plans, and property data. With over 20 years of experience in tech and marketing, he focuses on helping real estate and insurance professionals improve how they capture, document, and share property information. Contact him on LinkedIn at Michael Vervena.
Related Posts
