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Letting the Structure Speak During the Insurance Claims Process

10/24/2024

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Episode 120 of The DYOJO Podcast focuses on the importance of contractors, homeowners, and insurance representatives letting the structure speak during the insurance claims process. The discussion emphasizes the restoration triangle involving policyholders, contractors, and insurance companies. Stressing the need for thorough data capture (TDC) to create defensible estimates, advocating for restoring properties to pre-loss conditions with like-kind materials (LKQ). This episode critiques the us-versus-them mentality between contractors and insurers, urging clear communication and adherence to the standard of restoring properties. Listeners will hear about resources for improving estimating and project management skills in the restoration industry.

IN EPISODE 120 of The DYOJO Podcast: 
1​:59 Who is the customer during an insurance claim with David Princeton 
3:56 Let the Structure Speak during an insurance claim 
6:24 The Restoration Triangle with Pete Consigli 
10:37 The Standard all should follow for insurance claims 
17:34 Rant Alert * What does it mean to RESTORE property? 
25:38 Creating an accurate scope of work for insurance claims 
30:45 Resources for insurance estimating and project management 

LAST EPISODE 119 Falsifying Insurance Claims 

Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast - helping contractors shorten their DANG learning curve. Join host Jon Isaacson as we explore contractor stories, experiences, and best practices to help listeners thrive in the skilled trades. 
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Did Xactimate Apologize to Restoration Contractors?

5/1/2024

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We recap some of the highlights from the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Convention and Expo with our friend Ed Cross. Items of interest for property restoration contractors include an apology from the stage by Xactimate/Verisk and a face the advocate with four TPAs from the insurance claims ecosystem; Contractor Connection, Alacrity, Sedgewick, and Westhill. 

In Episode 117 of The DYOJO Podcast 
0:00 Sgt Ed Cross 
2:23 Recap of Episode 116 
3:20 Waste Diversion Tracking 
4:31 Insurance Denied by Drone 
6:09 New Position Statements from RIA 
9:46 Xactimate Apologizes to Restorers 
16:32 Weaponizing Xactimate 
24:28 RIA 2024 Highlights 

Clips were used in this Episode from 
​
* InsurTech Trends, Integrations, Pricing, & More - C&R Magazine / Restoration Today Michelle Belvins interviews Aaron Brunko - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E0Ja... 

* Restoration Invoice: PAID - Restoration CrossCheck (Sgt Ed video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVSUe...

QUESTIONS:
​Are there restoration contractors in Rhode Island or South Dakota? 
Read the article in C&R Magazine
Watch the recap video on The DYOJO YouTube

Restoration Contractors from Every State
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Xactimate is a Claims Estimating Language

12/21/2023

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Contractors are frustrated with the insurance claims process.

Many have found their villain in the various estimating software programs.

Of particular note, Xactimate draws the ire of property restoration contractors. One doesn't have to search far to find a social media rant about the inefficiencies of estimating tools.

BUT, has the listener ever silenced the impulse for blame long enough to consider that Xactimate, and similar estimating resources, are primarily communication platforms? 

Join us for a discussion that will help listeners update their mindset and habits regarding estimating tools and approaches.

Listen to The DYOJO Podcast as we share insights for better insurance claims and construction outcomes.

Clips from The DYOJO Podcast, Episode 111, A Simple Formula for Better Construction Estimates. 

Xactimate can be a Common Estimating Language

In the insurance world, Xactimate estimates are written room by room, and line by line. It's not a format that many contractors outside of the restoration space are familiar with. Nor are customers. They're not used to seeing a 28 page bid for a two room project. But there is one party that is familiar with this format. The insurance companies.

In an insurance claim project, the insurance carrier has the money. So, if they have the money, it is in the best interest of the contractor and the policyholder to consider presenting their estimates in a manner that the insurance company can understand. COMMUNICATION. 

Learn more from our How to Suck Less Estimating Course. 
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The Xactimate Sessions Podcast

Xactimate estimates are built with a diagram or a sketch. There's actually a lot of really helpful calculations, scope notes, and different project elements that can be derived from this tool. If you are new to Xactimate or trying to teach your team you will find value in a series we produced called The Xactimate Sessions. You can search for Episodes 65 through 79 of The DYOJO Podcast.

The Xactimate Sessions
  • Ep 65 Where Do I Start with Xactimate? 
  • Ep 66 Using all the Training from Xactware
  • Ep 68 Learning Xactimate for Water Damage 
  • Ep 69 Make Your Xactimate Estimates Suck Less 
  • Ep 71 Become a Better Xactimate Estimator 
  • Ep 75 Training Others in Xactimate 
  • Ep 79 Xactimate Insurance Claims Negotiations 

One of the our prior videos on sketching will help owners and managers who are training new restoration team members to sketch in Xactimate. 

From Estimation to Project Management

Does your team regularly create an estimate that the insurance company, the entity with the money, the customer, the entity with the pen to sign the contract, and the production team, the ones who have to complete the work, all understand? COMMUNICATION. 

If one or all of those parties don't understand the scope you need to fix your estimating process. The estimate itself is a byproduct of a series of processes that start with client intake. A simple topic and process that we discussed on Episode 86 of The DYOJO Podcast.

Site observations and the notes that go to the estimator are critical pieces of communication. Whether that's A) the same person, IE a write and run estimator, or B) there's a central estimator within the company. Or, as many companies are finding success with, perhaps your team utilizes C) remote estimating services like our sponsor Epic Estimates as an external resource.

The details include all the data from the site. As we share in our estimating course, these details have to be communicated thoroughly thorough data capture. Data captured and communicated thoroughly to whoever's going to create the estimate. It must be thorough because it creates a series of following steps which include, the customer being able to understand what you're contracting for. Clarifying what is and is not in your scope. If insurance is involved, this thorough data helps them understand what they are responsible for. 
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Construction Estimating Accuracy 

Accurate scope leads to accurate construction cost estimates. 

Thorough Data Capture (site observation and transfer of details) leads to Accurate Data Input (estimation).

When the scope and cost gets down to the production team, it's very important that whoever is writing an estimate always does so with the production team in mind. Clarity, consistency, and accountability, which is something that we go over in detail in our last book, How to Suck Less at Estimating by Jon Isaacson. This book is also a course available online through our friends at Restoration Technical Institute. This course has six modules, which reflect the six chapters in this book. If you sign up for the course you get a free PDF copy that is designed to correspond with the course on how to suck less at estimating this book is available on Amazon.

If any of these topics hit home, or seem to be helpful to yourself for your team, you should tune into the full discussion from episode 111 of The DYOJO Podcast
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Contractor Profitability on Restoration Today

12/5/2022

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Everyone who starts a business knows profitability is important, but too often contractors treat it as optional. This podcast goes along with a recent C&R article titled "The 4 Modes of Profitability for Contractors." It was the first in a series to attempt to help new entrepreneurs, in-progress contractors, and aspiring persons in a position of leadership to better grasp the essential nature of overhead and profit (O&P) within the skilled trades.
If a contractor charges for some level of overhead and profit (O&P) they will have a fighting chance every year and will be ahead of many of their competitors." - Jon Isaacson 
In this episode of Restoration Today, Jon Isaacson, the author of the first article and orchestrator of the entire series, walks through how contractors can help themselves and their team members form better mindsets and habits as they think through the four modes of profitability for contractors.

The video and article discuss The 4 Modes of Profitabliy for Contractors:
  • Survival mode
  • Scraping by 
  • Fighting chance 
  • Competing 

This is the first in a series of articles; upcoming features in C&R Magazine will include input from Ben Justesen, Anthony Nelson, and Ed Cross. Ben will help contractors to understand their numbers and incorporate them into their true labor burden (Labor + O&P). Anthony will share his vast experience in tracking material, equipment, and other cost realities to more accurately incorporate these items into your estimating process (Materials + O&P). Ed Cross has some exciting news to share from the frontlines of overhead and profit collection. All of these concepts will help contractors to determine the appropriate markups (what you add) to achieve their margin (what you make) goals.
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How To Suck Less At Estimating Training Course

11/14/2022

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The best-selling book, How To Suck Less At Estimating: Habits for Better Project Outcomes, by Jon Isaacson is NOW AVAILABLE as a six module training course from Restoration Technical Institute. Project outcomes in the skilled trades are tied to the estimating process. Good estimating is marked by the thoroughness of data capture (site observation) and the accuracy of data input (bidding). Author Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, shares his two decades of professional experience to help anyone involved with, or interested in, the art of estimating to shorten their DANG learning curve for improvement.
Learn More
Habits For Better Project Outcomes:
​
  • ​Module 1:  Dumb By Design vs. Dumb Design
  • Module 2:  A Good Sketch Is A Good Start
  • Module 3:  Project Outcomes Reflect Estimate Inputs
  • Module 4:  Preparing To Be Profitable
  • Module 5:  Leveling Up As An Estimator
  • Module 6:  Estimating Is One Piece Of The Puzzle

Included in your purchase: 

  • Digital copy of "How to Suck Less At Estimating" by Jon Isaacson broken down by chapter by the author himself,
  • Knowledge checks
  • Certificate of completion
  • Estimatics - An Introduction to Estimating in Property Restoration and Reconstruction
  • eLearning Bonus: Practical Training for Everyone: Job site Behaviors - Tape, Tape, Tape - What is PPE - Don & Doff PPE, and materials provided by educational sponsors.
Unlike any course you have ever taken before. If you like to be overstimulated, learn and estimating, this is the course for you! Jon Isaacson delivers practical knowledge and demonstrations in his signature "INFOtainment" style.
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How To Suck Less At Estimating, was written for:
  • The aspiring professional who wants to advance in their career.
  • Estimators and project managers who want to level up their abilities in estimating.
  • The new manager who has been thrown into a position without much training or direction.
  • The business owner who either needs some direction or another voice sharing these core principles.

Early Reviews for This Book:
  • With his latest book, Jon Isaacson again demonstrates why he is a “go to” resource for so many people in the property restoration industry. - Luke Draeger
  • As usual, Jon provides great material with actionable details. - David Smith
  • It’s so refreshing to finally see all of this often-guarded information transcribed from an industry expert to words on a page. - Josh Zolin
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They Hired a Cheaper Contractor?!

9/30/2022

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What Contractor Isn't Familiar With This Frustrating Story...

​A contractor takes a call for service from a new client. After a brief conversation, they set up a time to inspect the customer's home. The contractor drives to the worksite (30 minutes*). While onsite the contractor spends 30-60 minutes* discussing the project with the customer, performing a detailed inspection of the conditions, taking measurements, documenting scope items, and listening to what the customer wants to have completed. The contractor drives back to their shop (30 minutes*). The contractor spends at least 30-60 minutes* researching products, creating an estimate with sufficient scope and cost details to reflect the vision of the customer and sends that to them for review. After a day or two the contractor follows up with the customer, there is a delay in response, and finally, the customer notifies them that while they appreciate all of the details the contractor provided they were able to hire someone who could do the work for significantly cheaper.
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Is this just a "cost of doing business" or is there a BETTER WAY? ​
Episode 91 of The DYOJO Podcast will be part 2 of a discussion that we started in Episode 90 on whether contractors should charge for their estimates. For Episode 91 we will continue to review various approaches by construction professionals including providing FREE estimates, getting contracts signed prior to dispatch, using a Letter of Intent (LOI), or other means. At the end of the day, the contractor does well to develop and consistently follow a thorough screening process for all new clients so that they know what they are committing themselves to.

If the contractor does not value their own time, NO ONE ELSE WILL. ​
In this video promo for Episode 91 of The DYOJO Podcast:
  • 0:00 Customers using a contractor's estimate to hire someone cheaper
  • 0:50 Using a Letter of Intent (LOI) to screen customers
  • 1:40 The 4 Modes of Profitability for Contractors (C&R Magazine)
  • 2:35 Pricing feedback for restoration contractors (Cleanfax video clip) - this is a standalone video that will NOT be in the podcast episode. Watch the full 5 minute video on the ISSA Media / Cleanfax Magazine Take 5 with Jeff Cross platform
  • ​3:55 A breakdown of the cost of wasted time for contractors

​Thursdays are forThe DYOJO Podcast - helping contractors shorten their DANG learning curve for personal and professional development.
KEYWORDS: estimate, pricing, waste, contractor, article, clients, government affairs committee, restoration, industry association, feedback, 
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    Words

    The DYOJO - helping contractors shorten
    ​their DANG learning curve


    Book #4 - AVAILABLE NOW - How To Suck Less  At Estimating. Habits for better project outcomes. 

    Book #4 - AVAILABLE NOW as a TRAINING COURSE through our friends at Restoration Technical Institute

    Book #3 - So, You Want To Be A Project Manager? is designed to help contractors with the mindset and habits for success in this role. 

    Book #2 - Be Intentional: Culture, is a collaborative publication discussing how the small things enhance or undermine your efforts to build a thriving culture. 

    Book #1 - Be Intentional Estimating, is the 5 star rated book that helps estimators produce more consistent outcomes in the insurance claims process. 

    ​Jon is the host of The DYOJO Podcast, helping the skilled trades to shorten their DANG learning curve for personal and professional development. 

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