Restoration Pros Unplugged

In this follow-up episode, Clinton James sits down again with Toby Clem of Restoration Advisers to dive deeper into what it really takes to grow a restoration company that doesn’t depend on the owner. If your business still runs off memory, gut decisions, and “just figuring it out,” this episode is for you. Clinton and Toby break down: They also share practical, no-fluff action steps you can start this month: This episode is all about helping restoration owners get unstuck, build stronger teams, and create a business that can grow without them being involved in everything. Toby also shares details about the Restoration Advisers Montana Business Retreat, happening June 23–24 in Whitefish, Montana. This is a small, no-vendor, no-pitch mastermind where restoration owners come together to talk through real challenges, share ideas, and learn from each other. ----- If you're serious about growing your business and want to be around other driven restoration owners, this is worth checking out. https://restorationadvisers.com/montana2026-847608 ----- Looking to generate more high-quality leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

If your field techs are juggling four, five, even eleven different apps on a single water mitigation job — you've got a data problem. And that data problem is going to follow you everywhere: estimating, compliance, team performance, and especially AI. In this episode, Clinton James sits down with Andrew Wirick, VP of Product at DocuSketch, to talk about one of the most overlooked challenges in restoration right now — fragmented field data. Andrew's spent the last eight months in the trenches with restoration companies across the country, riding along with techs and talking directly to owners about what's actually breaking down in their workflows. What he found might surprise you. Here's what you'll take away from this conversation: - Why the average restoration company uses 4.5 apps just to capture data on a single water mitigation job — and what that's costing your team - Where fragmentation hurts most — it's not where most owners think - Why AI can't fix bad data — and what actually happens when you layer AI on top of incomplete field documentation (hint: it's called a hallucination, and it's bad for compliance) - Two simple habits techs can start today — two 360 shots per room and 10 extra seconds of photos — that will protect your margins and reduce callbacks - Why true industry-wide standardization is still years away — and what you can do right now without waiting for the whole industry to catch up Andrew also shares what DocuSketch is building to make data capture more intuitive in the field, how their partnership with Verisk is helping connect the dots between capture and estimating, and what the future of restoration tech could look like. ----- Want to connect with Andrew or see what DocuSketch has been building? Watch the webinar replay covering their latest product vision — including AI-powered floor plan measurements and intuitive field capture — at https://www.docusketch.com/post/instant-floor-plan-estimates-launch-event-webinar-replay ----- Subscribe to Restoration Pros Unplugged and visit restorationprosunplugged.com to catch every episode. ----- Running a restoration company and want to get more jobs from your online marketing? Book a free discovery call with Water Restoration Marketing at https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

You're landing jobs. Revenue is climbing. But somehow, cash is always tight — and when you need financing to grow, the doors keep closing. You're not alone. And the problem probably isn't your sales numbers. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Paul Childers of Blue Sky Biz Solutions to expose the financial blind spot that quietly strangles growth for restoration companies doing $1M, $3M, even $5M or more: the business structure behind the revenue. Paul has seen it firsthand — restoration owners who are great at the work but running a multi-million dollar operation on a financial foundation that looks like a startup to any lender. The result? Personal credit taking on business risk, funding falling through at the worst moments, and growth that stalls right when it should be accelerating. In this conversation, Clinton and Paul break down exactly how lenders evaluate restoration companies, what makes a business fundable versus a liability, and the practical steps owners can take right now to change the picture — without waiting until the next cash crunch hits. In this episode: - Why strong revenue doesn't guarantee financial health — and what actually does - How your personal credit silently becomes collateral for business decisions - What lenders look at beyond your bank statements - The financial structure mistakes most restoration owners don't catch until it's too late - How to build a business that can access capital on its own terms If you've ever felt like your company is growing and struggling at the same time, this episode will change how you think about the business behind the work. Want to connect with Paul and the team at Blue Sky Biz Solutions? Book a call with Paul here: https://blueskybizsolutions.com/ Want more high-quality restoration leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with Water Restoration Marketing: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

What if your restoration company could deliver a Disney-level experience—even on a customer’s worst day? In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Vance Morris, former Disney leader, founder of Deliver Service Now, and owner of Maryland Mold Busters—to break down how service-based businesses can transform customer experience into their ultimate competitive advantage. From systemizing service delivery to creating “wow moments” in high-stress situations like water damage and mold remediation, Vance shares practical strategies that restoration business owners can implement immediately to drive referrals, increase pricing power, and scale sustainably. Key Takeaways: - Why customer experience—not price—is your biggest differentiator in a crowded restoration market - How to map and optimize your customer journey from first call to job completion - The power of anticipatory service and building trust within the first 10 minutes onsite - Simple systems to increase reviews, referrals, and repeat business - Why answering the phone live could be the highest ROI move you make this year - How to scale your business with systems—not more chaos - If you’re a restoration or home service business owner looking to grow beyond $1M–$3M and stand out in a sea of sameness, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about how Deliver Service Now can help your restoration company grow? https://deliverservicenow.com/ Looking to generate more high-quality leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

Most restoration companies don’t struggle to find work—they struggle to build a business that doesn’t depend entirely on the owner. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Toby Clem of Restoration Advisers to unpack why so many restoration companies hit a growth ceiling—and what it actually takes to scale beyond it. From the “owner bottleneck” problem to building leadership teams that can truly operate independently, Toby shares hard-earned insights from working with restoration companies across multiple growth stages. If you’ve ever felt trapped in your business, constantly putting out fires, or unable to step away without everything slowing down—this episode will hit home. Key Takeaways: If you’re ready to turn your restoration company into a scalable, sellable asset—not a full-time burden—this is a must-listen. Connect with Toby and the team at Restoration Advisers https://restorationadvisers.com/ Looking to generate more high-quality leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Erik Peterson, General Manager of Arko Restoration, to unpack a game-changing leadership exercise that’s helping restoration companies break through growth ceilings. If you’ve ever felt like your business can’t run without you… this episode is going to hit home. Erik shares how a simple but powerful task audit categorizing everything you do into Core, Supportable, Delegatable, and Automatable completely changed how he views his role as a leader. The result? More clarity, fewer bottlenecks, and a path toward scalable growth. They dive into: inonThis isn’t theory! It’s real-world insight from a multi 7-figure restoration company navigating growth, team structure, and operational chaos. If you're trying to scale from $1M to $5M… or $5M to $10M+, this episode will give you a clear starting point. Your challenge after listening: List every task you do this week—and ask yourself, should I even be doing this? ----- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

Most restoration companies are sitting on thousands of past customers and doing absolutely nothing with them. In this episode, Clinton sits down with Alex Nghiem, Chief Revenue Officer at Epic180, to break down a simple but powerful idea: Your CRM is either a gold mine or a graveyard. If you’ve been in business for 5+ years, you already have a built-in revenue source. Past water losses. Mold jobs. Fire cleanups. Carpet cleaning. Duct cleaning. Crawlspace work. These customers already trust you. So why aren’t you marketing to them? Alex explains: If you’re tired of feast-or-famine revenue… If you want more predictable cash flow… If you’d rather monetize relationships you’ve already built instead of constantly chasing new leads… This episode will change how you look at your customer database forever. Listen in and learn how to turn your existing contacts into your own internal revenue engine. ----- Want to see how Epic180 can help your restoration company grow? Get a free gift here: https://epic180.com/gift Looking to generate more high-quality leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

What does it really take to scale a restoration business and expand into a new market without making expensive mistakes? In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with John Gabriele, owner of 911 Restoration of Des Moines and 1 Tom Plumber of Des Moines, to break down how he grew his company from under one million dollars to nearly three million and why he is now expanding into a second market. John shares real lessons from the trenches, including why coaching played a major role in his growth, how focusing on the right services improved margins, and what he actually looks for before opening a new location. He also explains how adding emergency plumbing changed his cash flow and created more restoration opportunities without relying on overpriced referrals. If you are a restoration owner thinking about scaling, adding services, or expanding into a new city, this episode will help you think more clearly about growth and avoid common mistakes. In this episode, you will learn • What to think through before opening a second restoration location • Why profit margins matter more than total revenue • How coaching and systems help owners scale faster • When reconstruction makes sense and when it becomes a drag on profit • How plumbing can drive more restoration jobs and steady cash flow This is a practical, no fluff conversation for restoration company owners who want to grow profitably, not just get bigger. ----- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

Real growth in the trades doesn’t come from chasing trends or jumping on the latest tactic. It comes from systems, strategy, and partnering with people who understand how contractors actually operate. In this episode, Clinton James — CMO of Water Restoration Marketing and host of Restoration Pros Unplugged — joins Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source, for a powerful crossover conversation on what truly drives sustainable growth for home service businesses. While Clinton works exclusively with restoration companies, the insights in this episode apply to plumbing, HVAC, roofing, remodeling, and any service-based business owner serious about scaling profitably. You’ll hear Clinton break down: - Why niche expertise matters more than ever in today’s crowded market - How trust signals impact Google rankings, LSAs, and AI-driven search results - The difference between activity and strategy in contractor marketing - Why systems always outperform hustle - How marketing, hiring, and operations must work together to scale - What contractors must adapt now to stay competitive in the next 3–5 years This episode is packed with real-world experience, data-backed insights, and practical guidance for contractors who want clarity instead of chaos — and growth that actually lasts. Whether you’re struggling with lead quality, staffing, or long-term positioning, this conversation will help you rethink how you build your business. ----- Want more high-quality restoration leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with Water Restoration Marketing: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

Missed calls, slow follow-up, and storm surges can quietly kill your revenue. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Nick D’Urbano, Co-Founder and CRO of Distance, to break down how restoration companies are using AI to capture more leads, handle overflow calls, and generate more jobs — without replacing their people. Nick walks through real-world use cases for: They also discuss why AI works best as a backup and multiplier for your intake team — especially when phones are ringing nonstop during freezes, floods, and major weather events. Want to see how Distance works for your restoration company? Book a demo directly with Nick here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/nickdurbano/demo Looking to generate more high-quality leads that turn into onsite visits and jobs? Book a discovery call with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

This isn’t just a recap, it’s a celebration of the moments that made Restoration Pros Unplugged the go-to podcast for growth-minded restoration entrepreneurs. In this special Rewind episode, we look back at the top interviews, biggest takeaways, and most replayed clips from our most impactful conversations. From leadership breakthroughs to sales strategies, hiring systems to franchise growth these are the insights that moved the industry forward in a big way. You’ll hear from: - Our most listened-to and watched guests - High-impact advice from top operators and thought leaders - The episodes that restoration pros couldn’t stop talking about Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this rewind is packed with energy, value, and a reminder of just how far we’ve come. Thank you for tuning in, growing with us, and helping us build a community of restoration leaders who do things differently. From our team to yours: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a game-changing New Year ahead. — Ready to grow your restoration brand and generate more high-quality water jobs? Book your free strategy session with the Water Restoration Marketing team: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton sits down with Phil DePaul, the powerhouse owner behind United Water Restoration Group Long Island and 1-Tom-Plumber Long Island. Known for his bold “BoomZeal” leadership style, Phil breaks down how he built two thriving service brands by bringing a white-collar approach to a blue-collar industry and why professionalism, extreme ownership, and clean presentation are non-negotiable in today’s restoration and plumbing world. Phil shares his journey from plumbing distribution, to disaster recovery, to becoming one of the top franchise operators in the country. He opens up about the early struggles, the lessons learned scaling two service companies, and why franchising gave him the speed, support, and collaboration needed to grow in one of the most saturated restoration markets in America. If you're a restoration owner looking to: - Improve your team’s professionalism - Strengthen communication with homeowners and property owners - Raise your operational standards - Break through your current revenue ceiling …this conversation delivers the mindset, systems, and leadership frameworks you need to level up. Packed with real stories, actionable insights, and Phil’s signature high-energy philosophy, this is an episode every restoration entrepreneur should hear. Connect with Phil: https://boomzeal.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdepaul/ https://www.facebook.com/picomang ---- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/discovery-call/

Struggling to find and keep good people in your restoration business? You’re not alone. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, host Clinton James (CMO, Water Restoration Marketing) sits down with Paul Sanneman, founder of Contractor Staffing Source, to talk about why the “labor shortage” in restoration is often a self-created problem and what you can do about it. Paul breaks down the biggest hiring myths holding contractors back, like: - Only recruiting when you “need someone” - Thinking employees are “too expensive” - Trying to DIY recruiting without a real system He then walks through a simple, repeatable hiring process: writing strong job ads (with the help of AI), posting them everywhere, speed-to-lead on applicants, detailed assessments, video interviews, background checks, and proper onboarding that makes new hires say, “I made the right move.” Clinton and Paul also dig into how AI and offshore talent are changing the game for restoration companies. You’ll hear how owners are using remote team members for roles like admin, estimating, job costing, and marketing often at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing quality or communication. If you’re a restoration owner tired of starting from scratch every time you need to hire, this episode will show you how to build a steady pipeline of qualified candidates and treat recruiting like marketing: ongoing, systemized, and budgeted. Visit: https://contractorstaffingsource.com/ ---- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

AI is changing the way restoration companies operate, and WonderBuilt Restoration is already putting it to work. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James talks with Raul Gonzalez, owner of WonderBuilt in Tucson, AZ, about how AI tools and remote oversight are helping him streamline operations as the company grows. Raul explains how he listened to our interview with James Hatfield from LiveSwitch, signed up right away, and quickly found real use cases like faster mold evaluations using AI-generated scopes, better contents planning through data-driven insights, and live remote support for technicians on complex jobs. Alongside the tech discussion, Raul breaks down what’s currently working in his marketing, the challenges he’s faced while scaling, and the operational bottlenecks he’s been working to eliminate. By the end, you’ll hear how WonderBuilt is using AI and improved documentation workflows to train faster, estimate more accurately, and create a more efficient operation without adding unnecessary overhead. Want to see how LiveSwitch can streamline your restoration operations? Book a live demo using my link here: https://join.liveswitch.com/9o7u9222eyk4 ----- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Claire Carreras an entrepreneur known for taking broken home-service teams and turning them into high-performing operations. Claire shares her unusual path into restoration, her experiences at Paul Davis and Servpro, and the leadership lessons she learned while rebuilding departments, launching new service divisions, and now running 1-Tom-Plumber Austin. Claire breaks down her simple 3-part method for fixing struggling restoration companies: - People: understanding who’s on your team, what motivates them, and who fits where. - Process: reviewing what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change. - Execution: setting expectations, building consistency, and holding everyone accountable. She also talks about making great hires, spotting bad ones fast, getting out of day-to-day operations, and shifting from manager to true owner. If you’re a restoration business owner who knows your team could perform better, this conversation will help you understand where to start and how to lead in a way that actually moves the business forward. Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton sits down with Ben Justesen, one of the restoration industry’s top minds in estimating and pricing strategy. Ben’s journey, from growing his family’s company, Just Right Cleaning & Construction (JRCC), into an award-winning restoration firm to leading national training programs and now shaping technology at DocuSketch offers lessons every contractor can use. Ben breaks down the biggest mistakes he sees in estimating and pricing, explains the difference between markup and margin (and why most contractors get it wrong), and shares practical advice for protecting your profits on every job. You’ll hear how better documentation, smarter use of tech, and a disciplined approach to estimating can transform your bottom line. Whether you’re a small operator trying to tighten up your numbers or a larger firm looking to scale profitably, this conversation is packed with insights that can change the way you run your business. Get more educational content from Ben and the team at DocuSketch: https://www.docusketch.com/estimate-accelerator https://e3drying.com/docusketch-estimating-master-class/ Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

When every minute counts in restoration, getting eyes on the loss fast can make or break a job. In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with James Hatfield, CRO of LiveSwitch, to explore how simple, app-free video links are transforming how restoration companies handle intake, documentation, and customer communication. James shares how LiveSwitch—originally built for 911 dispatch and live sports—now helps restoration teams see the job before they roll a truck, build instant trust with customers, and cut hours off every claim. You’ll learn how leading restoration companies are using QR codes for emergency response, live video for better estimates, and recorded walkthroughs for training and accountability—all without downloading an app. Whether you run a small team or a multi-location operation, this conversation will show you how to: - Speed up intake calls with “remote eyes on the loss” - Improve documentation and win more carrier approvals - Train your team with real-world video examples - Turn every jobsite into a marketing and retention opportunity If you want your company to respond faster, look more professional, and build lasting customer trust—this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about LiveSwitch: - https://www.liveswitch.com/industry/restoration-services/ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/liveswitch-inc - https://www.facebook.com/liveswitchinc/ Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, host Clinton James sits down with Scott Miller, founder of The Growth League, to unpack his incredible journey from rookie franchisee to independent restoration owner and now successful business coach. Scott shares how he built a top-performing restoration business, scaled it, and sold it, all while learning the hard lessons that most owners don’t figure out until it’s too late. You’ll learn: - The financial blind spots that keep owners from true profitability - How to motivate your team with performance-based pay and shared goals - Why today’s restoration market demands in-home sales training and strong intake calls - The top mistakes that kill business value before an owner tries to sell Whether you’re running a franchise, operating independently, or thinking about an exit, this episode is a goldmine of real-world wisdom for restoration entrepreneurs. ----- Learn more about The Growth League: https://www.thegrowthleague.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmiller1/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-growth-league/ https://www.youtube.com/@TheRestorationCoach ----- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, Clinton James sits down with Jeff Carrier, Co-Founder and CEO of Restoration ERP, to talk about how restoration companies can use technology to win more commercial work and how the new ERP Copilot AI is changing the game. Jeff breaks down how most restorers have handled commercial disaster planning in the past, why ERPs are key to landing “first call” commercial clients, and how his team built a platform that makes it simple and profitable. You’ll also hear about ERP Copilot, the industry’s first AI-powered sales trainer and assistant built specifically for restoration professionals. From sales call analysis and role-playing objection handling to email sequencing and disaster plan coaching, ERP Copilot gives restorers 24/7 guidance on how to approach, pitch, and close commercial clients with confidence. Whether you’re already offering ERPs or just starting to target commercial properties, this episode will show you how to use automation and AI to scale your restoration business, strengthen client relationships, and win more high-value contracts. Learn more about Restoration ERP and ERP Copilot: https://restorationerp.com Restoration ERP LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/restoration-erp/ Restoration ERP Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWTf0r9LXBoSPrg06PAj5Hg ----- Want to grow your restoration brand and generate more water jobs with expert marketing? Book a free strategy session with our team at Water Restoration Marketing: https://www.waterrestorationmarketing.net/schedule

In this episode of Restoration Pros Unplugged, host Clinton James (CMO, Water Restoration Marketing) sits down with Chris Nordyke, President & Co-Owner of Floodlight Consulting Group, to unpack the sales and marketing KPIs that separate thriving restoration companies from those just getting by. Pulled from a powerful live session hosted by WRM and Floodlight, this episode breaks down how to truly “know your numbers” and how tracking the right ones can help you scale smarter, convert more leads, and win more profitable jobs. You’ll discover: ✅ The top KPIs that drive predictable growth and profitability ✅ How to align sales and marketing for better lead conversion ✅ The biggest lead management mistakes restoration owners make (and how to fix them) ✅ Why tracking performance builds accountability across your entire team ✅ Real-world examples of companies using data to scale faster and smarter If you’ve ever wondered which numbers actually matter when it comes to growing your restoration business, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need to take your next leap. Featuring: Clinton James – CMO, Water Restoration Marketing Chris Nordyke – President & Co-Owner, Floodlight Consulting Group 📈 Learn More: 👉 Explore Sales Consulting and Leadership Training from Floodlight Consulting: https://www.floodlightgrp.com/ 👉 Schedule a Free Strategy Call with Water Restoration Marketing: https://waterrestorationmarketing.com/