Category: restoration software

Predicting the future of your restoration company has never been easy. “Business as usual” certainly has been unusual this decade. Consider the high speed of change, political uncertainty, health challenges, safety protocols, and an ever-changing market. Just think of how the last decade of technology has shifted our interaction with employment, communication, education, and online shopping. 

Have you put your company in a position to adapt and capitalize on these changes? For the past few years, most restoration professionals have worked within the constraints of the COVID-19 situation by inventing new processes and policies “on the fly.” As the pandemic stabilizes, you have to take purposeful actions to stay nimble, flexible, and alert for additional shifts in the industry. 

Lingering Supply Chain And Labor Problems

Two wheels on your metaphorical car are supplies and people– both are in short supply. Lead times on many materials are still affected by supply chain disruption. Commodity costs like lumber and sheetrock continue to rise. Some specific technological equipment is still affected by chip shortages in the manufacturing process; thankfully most have eased since last year. However, signs of inflation keep pressure on you to make capital investments sooner, not later. 

Most metro areas are still struggling to fill vacant positions for frontline workers. Many companies have had to limit growth due to available staff. To locate great people you need to take deliberate action. As a leader, you need to make locating staff a priority and incorporate weekly recruiting activities to keep your pipeline full. 

Opportunities Via Automation And Digitization 

Your continuing challenge is to identify opportunities to get more done by managing the data you have and can easily access. For example, tap into crowd-sourced data to improve your estimating process. 

Many activities, from project management to job site tracking, can be reworked to maximize results. When the physical world becomes digitized, like with Matterport or DocuSketch, many functions can be automated: measurement, drawing, and estimating. This will allow estimators to produce faster and more accurate estimates.

Search out new systems to automate repetitive, manual processes to lower operating costs and improve accuracy. Interconnected tools (phones, tablets, laptops) using 5G technology can provide immediate job site communications to the office and insurance companies. Every minute saved in sharing info at the site of water damage can represent less damage and faster drying time. And if the job tracking information is more accurate, invoices might get paid quicker. 

Take note that all of this technology will increase the cyber risks in your business. Manage your data, maintain standards, and protect your business from the many controllable data breaches. 

Moving Forward In Uncertain Times

Face the operational challenges today with the best tools and team you can find. This technology revolution is really imminent. Like you, iRestore focuses on solutions and continues to embrace change. Do your homework, create a nimble company, and look for partners to leverage this technology. 

Explore iRestore Restoration Project Management Software

As you assess the current situation and make plans for the future, you are gathering data and exploring ideas to manage growth. iRestore offers project management exclusively for the restoration industry. iRestore has tools to improve operations and add efficiencies with a minimum learning curve for your staff.

The restoration business can be a profitable business that is vital for homeowners facing a crisis. But as a business owner, you know how difficult it is to stay on top for the offerings.  Industry estimates suggest that most restoration companies invested between $50,000and $150,000 just to get started. In addition to supplies and personal protection equipment, you’ll have to have: 

• Trucks
• Trailers
• Power saws 
• Ladders
• Generators
• Lights
• Commercial air movers
• Dehumidifiers 
• Computers
• Tablets
• Phones 

Restoration Project Management Software

Keeping track of which “stuff” is available and which “stuff” is already on a job site is critical for great restoration results. While your team is onsite, you want them focussing on the client, not the inventory list. Paper lists and shared spreadsheets create a lot of opportunity for mistakes.  

It also takes a lot of time to process orders from each sales channel separately and to make regular manual stock checks– time better spent building your business. And in a time with supply chain issues exist across the board, lags in reordering when stock levels are low could result in missed opportunities for you. Instead, implement an inventory management system to automate and coordinate these tasks.

Your team can choose to track with your existing tracking numbers. Or you could use iRestore’s efficient barcode feature. Your staff will now track equipment easily with a user-friendly interface implemented across all platforms. Use this accurate data to improve overall reporting and maintenance records. 

Equipment management software can send automatic reminders when the replacement date of parts is approaching, or when specific parts are missing in your inventory, so you can purchase them in advance. At the same time, you can avoid overstocking and wasting money.

Features of Equipment Management Software 

• Repairs and Maintenance can be easily tracked and documented
• System allows you to assign equipment to jobs, storage, vehicles, and employees
• All assigned equipment not “pulled” on the last day of a job is kept track of to help ensure that no equipment is left behind
• Allows you to monitor and evaluate your inventory in multiple ways
• Create detailed logs, custom invoices, estimates, and supporting documentation
• Consecutive scanning feature allows for fast and efficient equipment transfers. (Keep track of equipment’s serial number, purchase date, price)
• Integrates for all hard assets within the system: phones, devices, computers, meters.

iRestore Project Management Software 

iRestore helps you organize data to build on the success of your restoration business. By making the most of the information that your team gathers on site and in the office, you can improve communication and efficiency for your restoration clients.

iRestore provides affordable and easy-to-use software for restoration service companies. Using the latest in iPhone and iPad technology, this software collects data from the field in real time for a more accurate “big picture” view. Since both job management and CRM (customer relationship management) are critical to your success, keeping your information in an easy to use format will empower your business.

Call or request a demonstration of how your business can benefit.