What Keeps You Awake at Night?

More than a decade ago, at a drying class in Tennessee, instructor Chuck Dewald made a bold statement:

“Boys, all we have to do is get this industry to the level of plumbers: adjusters never question them!”

It was said half in challenge, half in aspiration.

At the time, the restoration industry was still fighting for recognition as a technical profession. Since then, we have seen remarkable advancements in equipment, science, documentation, and standards. But the question remains:

Have we reached that unquestionable level?
And if not—what’s holding us back?

The Pursuit of Professional Credibility

Every industry seeks legitimacy. Restoration professionals want to be trusted experts—not second-guessed vendors.

But credibility isn’t granted automatically. It’s earned through:

• Education
• Consistency
• Documentation
• Ethical practices
• Measurable results

And yet, even with progress, many contractors still feel pressure from oversight, scrutiny, and competition.

The Real Things That Keep Contractors Awake

When performing restoration full time, several concerns can weigh heavily on a business owner’s mind.

1️⃣ Employee Training & Application

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Training is essential—but it’s only the first step.

Questions that keep leaders awake:

• Are employees properly trained?
• Are they applying the training consistently in the field?
• Are drying protocols being followed accurately?
• Is documentation complete and defensible?

Training without accountability creates risk.

2️⃣ Employee Burnout

Restoration is demanding work:

• Long hours
• Emergency response
• Emotional customers
• Physically taxing environments

Concern for technician burnout is real. Fatigue can lead to:

• Mistakes
• Safety incidents
• Poor customer communication
• Employee turnover

Strong leadership requires balancing productivity with sustainability.

3️⃣ Competition That Cuts Corners

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Perhaps one of the most frustrating realities is competing with companies that:

• Drop a few dehumidifiers and air movers
• Leave equipment for three or four days
• Perform minimal monitoring
• Use basic moisture detection tools for final clearance

When competitors underperform yet charge less, it creates pressure across the market. It also raises difficult questions:

• Does the client understand the difference in quality?
• Does the adjuster recognize proper drying science?
• Are we communicating value effectively?

The fear isn’t just losing work—it’s the long-term impact on industry standards.

Can We Ever Be “Unquestionable”?

Even plumbers are questioned sometimes. The difference is perception and expectation.

Industries earn trust when they:

• Operate from standards
• Speak with unified professional language
• Provide consistent documentation
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes

Restoration has evolved tremendously in both technology and expertise. The gap is often not in skill—but in communication and consistency.

The Goal of Any Industry

Beyond profit, the true goal of any service profession is to:

• Excel in performance
• Protect public health and property
• Serve the community responsibly

When restoration companies prioritize proper training, ethical work, and transparent communication, they elevate not only their own businesses—but the entire industry.

Final Thoughts

What keeps you awake at night says a lot about what you value.

If you’re concerned about:

• Employee development
• Proper drying standards
• Ethical competition
• Professional credibility

You’re already focused on the right things.

The pursuit of excellence may create sleepless nights—but it also drives progress.

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Click here to read Chuck’s entire article: https://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/83691-what-keeps-you-awake-at-night

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