THE DYOJO
  • HOME
    • RESOURCES
    • CONTENT >
      • SCOPE
      • CHART
      • PILLARS
  • PODCAST
    • SOCKTEMBER
    • SSC
  • FoCKED
  • PUBLICATION
    • BLOG
    • BOOK1
    • BOOK2
    • BOOK3
    • BOOK4
    • LIBRARY
  • CONTACT

Estimating Water Damage Projects

5/27/2022

0 Comments

 
Early feedback from peers in the water damage restoration industry who have read portions of Jon Isaacson's fourth book, How Not To Suck At Estimating: Habits For Better Project Outcomes.
Picture


Jon provides incredible insight, systems, processes, and accountability for running the estimating and administrative side of our business that is severely lacking in knowledge and expertise. A must read for current or aspiring estimators.

​- Chad Brandt, WLS, Owner of PuroClean of Chandler (AZ) 
The Target Audience for this book:

  1. The aspiring professional who wants to advance in their career. This book will be helpful to you. But, if you are not committed to mastering your current role (DYOJO), you will struggle to climb any further than where you are now. You will see how the things you are doing now will prepare you for future responsibilities. 
  2. Estimators and project managers who want to level up their abilities in estimating, claims negotiations, and project outcomes. This book covers a lot of what I have discussed in articles and two of my prior three books (Book 1 and 3). There is a good deal of new content as well, including deeper dives into some technical aspects of estimating. 
  3. The new manager who has been thrown into a position without much training or direction. This book will be helpful to you in understanding some of the principles that go into creating clarity, consistency, and accountability for your team. All three of my prior books will be of use to you as you develop your leadership skills.
  4. The business owner who either needs some direction or another voice sharing these core principles. This book will be helpful to you and every member of your team as you build an interdependent organization. I am sure you will want to buy multiple copies so that you can hand them out like candy to every employee. ​
This book will also be a course offered through the Restoration Technical Institute (RTI). Keep your eyes open for the release in 2022 and reserve a copy through the webpage for BOOK 4. 
0 Comments

Three Elements For Better Construction Project Outcomes

5/4/2022

0 Comments

 
​How a project starts is critical to set it on the right path to producing a positive customer experience and a profitable conclusion. A contract forms the legal agreement between a willing buyer (the customer) and a willing seller (the contractor). The contract is built upon the foundation laid from a clearly defined agreed-upon scope of work. What is and, as importantly, what is not included in that scope of work is outlined in the contractor’s estimate. Let’s discuss three guiding principles for better project outcomes.

Element 1 - The Claims Standard

The Claims Standard is a guiding principle for all members of your team, and it crystallizes the responsibilities of all parties in the insurance claims relationship.  

Restoring the property to resemble pre-loss conditions, with materials of like kind and quality; no more and no less. 

Your initial site inspection identifies the affected areas related to the source and extent of the damages. 
  • For an insurance claim, doing more than what the policy owes and attempting to charge the carrier for it (i.e. “maximizing the claim”) is fraud. 
  • For a non-insurance project, bidding more than what the client wants will unnecessarily price you out of a job because you are not listening to their expectations. 

If everyone on your team understands and continues to frame the project in accordance with  The Standard, all parties will have a clearer understanding of the parameters for success. I believe that when you properly implement this simple narrative into your process, from the outset, you can help steer the project lifecycle more consistently to a successful outcome (habit). Setting the expectations at this point in the project sets the team up to execute realistic expectations during production. 
The Insurance Claims Standard

Element 2- A Simple Estimating Formula

Estimating is the process of establishing the agreed-upon scope and cost for a given project. As contractors, we utilize a simple estimating formula to guide our process:

Thorough Data Capture (TDC) +
Accurate Data Input (ADI) =
A Defensible Estimate (ADE) 

If you are struggling to produce consistently positive project outcomes, you should review whether your data inputs (estimate) are accurate as well as whether your data capture (documentation) is thorough. You must take accountability for this truth: The quality of the data inputs (composed estimate) is in direct correlation to the quality of the data captured. 

Everyone on the team should understand the importance of gathering and sharing quality documentation from the worksite. To tie these two elements together, the estimator will do everyone a favor by making the previously mentioned Standard clear at the outset of every claim. Your introduction could be something to the effect of, 

“My job is to perform thorough data capture of the site conditions so that I can accurately data input to generate an estimate for an agreed-upon scope (most likely through Xactimate) to restore your property to resemble pre-loss conditions.” 

Many customers choose to upgrade materials or use the damage scenario as a time to finally make those remodeling changes that they have been contemplating for months. Before a restoration contractor can bid the changes to the client, everyone needs to be clear on what is part of the insurance scope so the proper charges are going to the correct parties. 
A Simple Estimating Formula

Element 3 - The Restoration Triangle

Throughout his career, Pete Consigli, The Global Restoration Watchdog, trained restorers to value the Restoration Triangle.  Each party brings something unique to the table that should be heard and referenced as the agreed-upon scope is established:

  • The insured (who’s damaged) has a unique perspective on the pre-loss conditions and the extent of the loss.
  • The carrier representative (who’s payin’ for it) has a unique perspective regarding the details of the policy and the responsibility of the carrier with regards to the source and extent of damages—as well as any relevant exclusions.
  • The contractor (who’s fixin’ it) has a unique perspective on the means, methods, and material costs that will be relevant to establishing an agreed-upon scope of work to restore the structure.
 
Pete reminds stakeholders, 
 
“If one of these parties is left out of the process of determining and agreeing on the extent of damage, scope of repair, cost of restoration to a pre-loss condition, timelines, and criteria for satisfactory completion, then there will be problems.” 
 
A claim should not follow the narrative of a T.V. drama or a strategy for Survivor, whereby two members of the triangle team up to push their narrative through. For example, the contractor and client should not be in cahoots to figure out a way to “maximize the claim” without justification. This is fraud. Neither should the contractor and the carrier be working together to dwindle the scope. This is short-changing (and likely grounds for bad faith).
The Restoration Triangle

Developing Your Estimating Process

Better project outcomes start with better project initiation. As an owner or manager, if you want accountability within your systems, you need to ensure your processes are clear and consisstenlty followed. As an estimator, you need to acknowledge your role in setting up your team for success. As a team, everyone has to work together if the process is going to improve. We know there are two primary goals,1) produce a happy customer, hopefully resulting in repeat and referral business (the best kind), and 2) a profitable project so that we can invest in people and growth.     
 
My soon-to-be-released fourth book, How Not To Such At Estimating, will also be a course delivered through Restoration Technical Institutes' learning platform. The content is designed to help restoration professionals develop Habits for Better Project Outcomes. I will share at least 3 more elements to add to your estimating toolbag. If you are interested in peer-reviewing a chapter or would like to be considered to win one of 12 FREE copies for aspiring intentional estimators, please contact The DYOJO through the book's landing page.   ​
0 Comments

Common Estimating Shortfalls

4/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Lisa Lavender, Restoration Technical Institute (RTI) reached out to me about developing a course around the principles in my first book, Be Intentional: Estimating. While this book centers around the mindset and habits for insurance claims estimating success, the course will dig deeper into the technical aspects. The working title for the book and the course is How To Not Suck At Estimating: Habits For Better Project Outcomes. Module/chapters will include Developing The Agreed Upon Scope, The Claims Standard, A Good Sketch Is A Good Start, Don't Play The Blame Game, and more

Episode 80 of the The DYOJO Podcast will center around four common estimating approaches including, using drywall repairs as an example: 
  • Square foot (SF) estimates
  • Linear foot (LF) estimates 
  • Insurance program (TPA, preferred vendor) estimates
  • Estimating tips and best practices 
  • A simple scoping formula
  • Budgeting and production reports from Xactimate
  • Understanding markup and profit as it relates to overhead and profit (O&P) 


Our discussion includes appearances by these guests:   
  • Mili Washington (Indian Trail, NC) 
  • Mathew Allen, (Whitefish, MT)
  • Brian Austin (Provo, UT) 
  • Gordy Powell (Atlanta, GA)  
  • Ben Justesen (Moses Lake, WA)  
  • Pete Consigli (Naples, FL)   


THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:  
  • Restoration Industry Association (RIA) 
  • Restoration Technical Institute (RTI) 
  • Office Services by Brandi  
  • Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration Certification (IICRC)   


THURSDAYS ARE FOR The DYOJO Podcast   
We aim to entertain while we inform (INFOtainment), helping you shorten your DANG learning curve. New episodes of The DYOJO Podcast are released on Thursdays via video through YouTube and/or audio is distributed through platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Google, etc. Learn more by visiting our website
0 Comments

Obligations for insurance claims investigations

3/10/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Obligations For Insurance Claims Investigations

According to the state of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 284-30-370:
Standards for prompt investigation of a claim. Every insurer must complete its investigation of a claim within thirty days after notification of claim, unless the investigation cannot reasonably be completed within that time. All persons involved in the investigation of a claim must provide reasonable assistance to the insurer in order to facilitate compliance with this provision.

In the second part of our conversation with Roger Howson (Seattle, WA) and many others, we discuss the insurance claim appraisal process. Episode 78 of The DYOJO Podcast will touch on topics, including
  • Claims investigations
  • Policy litigation
  • Insurance fair conduct ordinances
  • Assignment of Benefits (AOB)
  • Contractors crossing the line into public adjusting
  • Carriers playing games with insureds
  • Policyholders being shady with contractors

​While many contractors dabble in policy interpretation, often because they think they are doing the right thing for the client, they may be crossing into the territory of public adjusting without a license. Roger discusses how, "If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it better be licensed like a duck." Andy McCabe shares a story where he had to answer some tough questions with an Oregon insurance investigator.

Our guests will include:
  • Gordy Powell (Atlanta, GA)
  • Seat Scott (San Diego, CA)
  • David Princeton (Muskego, WI)
  • Bill Wilson (Nashville, TN)
  • Ed Cross (Palm Desert, CA)
  • Andy McCabe (Bend, OR)
  • Ben Justesen (Moses Lake, WA)
  • Bryan Close (Tacoma, WA)


THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
  • Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
  • Restoration Technical Institute (RTI)
  • Office Services by Brandi

​THURSDAYS ARE FOR The DYOJO Podcast New episodes of The DYOJO Podcast are released on Thursdays 9am PST via video through YouTube and/or audio is distributed through platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Google, etc. Learn more by visiting our website - www.thedyojo.com/podcast

0 Comments

Insurance Claims Pricing Games

2/23/2022

0 Comments

 
Insurance Claims Pricing Games
Contractors and customers feel the squeeze when the insurance carrier plays pricing games with the estimating and collection process of insurance claims restoration. We discuss New Construction Pricelists being applied to restoration scenarios with contractors in Minnesota, California, and Washington. 

​
We discuss the issue, rebuttals, and resources including the Restoration Pricing Position Paper from the Advocacy and Government Affairs Committee (AGA) of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA),

“New construction price settings in certain pricing programs increase labor productivity which reduces prices in a way that may not be appropriate for restoration. Indirect tasks that must occur to accomplish direct repairs – known as “Supporting Events” – may need to be appropriately adjusted due to the extent of the damage in a restoration project.
This discussion educates the listener on the underlying factors which lead to these manipulations and provides the contractor with some well-thought-out rebuttals. While there are no cheat codes that will eliminate the squid games, restorers will find it refreshing to know that resources are being created and advanced regain and maintain sustainable claims practices.

The DYOJO Podcast, Episode 77 includes these guests and appearances:
  • Tony Yost (St. Paul, MN)
  • David Dickerson (San Francisco, CA)
  • Ben Justesen (Moses Lake, WA)
  • Kelley Dolan
  • Gordy Powell
  • Mark Springer
  • Katie Smith
  • Ed Cross
  • David Watts
  • Roger Howson 

Sponsors of The DYOJO Podcast:


​* Restoration Industry Association (RIA) - Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Join your fellow intentional restorers at the RIA 2022 International Restoration Convention and Industry Expo, April 11-13 at the Peppermill Casino in Reno, NV. Let them know The DYOJO sent you.

* Restoration Technical Institute (RTI) provides world-class training. Designed for those who serve the Restoration, Cleaning and Industries related to the Built Environment.

* Office Services by Brandi, LLC provides unparalleled personalized bookkeeping services to a broad range of clients in many states. Brandi will help tackle the never-ending list to be done in the restoration industry by handling the R&M billings, collections and many other key areas to take the burden off the owners.

THURSDAYS are for The DYOJO Podcast

New episodes of The DYOJO Podcast are released on Thursdays 9am PST via video through YouTube and/or audio is distributed through platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Google, etc. Learn more by visiting our website - www.thedyojo.com/podcast
0 Comments

Training others to use Xactimate for insurance claims estimating

1/20/2022

0 Comments

 
We resume our series, The Xactimate Sessions. We are discussing the mindset and habits that have helped your peers in the insurance claims industry to elevate their scoping, estimating, and project management game. File 006 introduces the audience to Joyce Gabriel, a talented general manager for a full-service restoration company based in Tacoma, WA.

​Listeners will remember when Joyce joined us for podcast episode 52 to discuss some of the powerful tools she has learned for connecting with and interacting with your team. Joyce rejoins the podcast and helps us explore the mindset and habits for effectively training your employees to understand and utilize the Xactimate estimating software.
​
Picture

Xactimate Podcast Discussion

The Xactimate Sessions from The DYOJO Podcast
File 006: Training Others In Xactimate
Season 3, Episode 75
Guest: Joyce Gabriel, General Manager (Tacoma, WA)

​Our discussion includes appearances by these guests:
  • Raymond Tittmann, TittmannWeix
  • Ben Justesen, Enlightened Restoration Solutions (ERS)
  • Mathew Allen, AdjusterTV
  • Christopher Stanley, IA Path
  • Ed Cross, The Restoration Laywer
  • Gordy Powell, Georgia Clean
  • Robert More, BYLT
  • Eric Sprague, Morning Tech Meeting
  • Larry Wilberton, Blue Collar Nation Podcast
  • Gerrett Stier, GMS Podcast
  • Pete Consigli, The Global Restoration Watchdog

Sponsors of The DYOJO Podcast

  • ​Restoration Industry Association (RIA) - Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Join your fellow intentional restorers at the RIA 2022 International Restoration Convention and Industry Expo, April 11-13 at the Peppermill Casino in Reno, NV. Let them know The DYOJO sent you.
  • Restoration Technical Institute (RTI) provides world-class training. Designed for those who serve the Restoration, Cleaning and Industries related to the Built Environment.
  • Office Services by Brandi, LLC provides unparalleled personalized bookkeeping services to a broad range of clients in many states. Brandi will help tackle the never-ending list to be done in the restoration industry by handling the R&M billings, collections and many other key areas to take the burden off the owners.

​The DYOJO Podcast New episodes of The DYOJO Podcast are released on Thursdays 9am PST via video through YouTube and/or audio is distributed through platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Google, etc. Learn more by visiting our website - YouTube.com/thedyojo
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Author

    Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, is a 19 year veteran of the property restoration industry and a business coach through his organization The DYOJO. 

    Book #4 - COMING SOON - How Not To Suck At Estimating. Developing  estimating habits to achieve better project outcomes. 

    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. 

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Clarity
    Construction
    Creativity
    Culture
    Estimating
    Growth
    History
    Insurance Claims
    Law
    Networking
    People
    Personal Development
    Podcast
    Products & Services
    Project Management
    South Sound Connection
    Support Local
    The Intentional Restorer
    Training

    RSS Feed

    Estimating 

    Marketing

    Insurance Claims

    Leadership

Contact The DYOJO
  • Property Restoration Resources Library 
  • Watch or Listen to The DYOJO Podcast 
  • Buy a Book by The Intentional Restorer
  • ​Read The DYOJO Blog
  • ​Dig Into Property Restoration History
  • Join The DYOJO Mailing List​
  • HOME
    • RESOURCES
    • CONTENT >
      • SCOPE
      • CHART
      • PILLARS
  • PODCAST
    • SOCKTEMBER
    • SSC
  • FoCKED
  • PUBLICATION
    • BLOG
    • BOOK1
    • BOOK2
    • BOOK3
    • BOOK4
    • LIBRARY
  • CONTACT