Most restorers hear "follow the rules" and never stop to ask: whose rules? And who made them?In this episode, I sit down with two of the top 1% of restoration operators.Kevin Dooley and Chris Laney will unpack the difference between real standards and inherited assumptions that hold this industry back.We get into the rules worth following (technical standards, unmanipulated data, consistent documentation) and the ones worth questioning (Xactimate-only pricing, adjustor-dictated scope, fear-based billing).Plus: why most collection problems start at onboarding, not at invoicing.You'll hear Kevin explain IoT (Internet of Things) and sensor-driven drying data, why Chris believes consistent repeatable results start with telling the story on the front end, and why I think your technicians shouldn't need a second job to make rent.This one's a bigger conversation than 56 minutes allows, but it's a start.A little about the 8%: The contractors who set their own standards, personal, operational, and technical, instead of waiting for someone else to define them? That's the 8%.If you want to understand this philosophy of The 8% deeper, check out the 8% Restopreneurs™ book series at https://restorationadvisers.com/storeWhat's next for Disaster Podcaster? Expect more real conversations with operators who are doing the work, fewer echo chambers, and practical frameworks you can actually use.🎧 Subscribe and listen to more at: https://restorationadvisers.com/podcastJoin The Incredible Restoration Business Academy: https://restorationadvisers.com/rbaUpcoming Modern Restoration Aramsco Classes: https://restorationadvisers.com/aramscoContact Info for our guests: Kevin Dooley: Kevin@kahi.ioChris Laney: chris@e3drying.comKlark Brown: Klark@hey.com

Most people see disaster response as emergency work and cleanup. But there's a whole layer of invisible work that determines whether survivors actually recover, or get left behind.In this episode, we share our recent experiences volunteering with United Survivors Disaster Relief (USDR) in Kerrville, Texas, Jamaica, and Washington State.You'll hear about the critical behind-the-scenes coordination that makes or breaks disaster response, logistics, intelligence gathering, community connections, and survivor advocacy. This is work that rarely gets talked about but absolutely has to happen.A little about the 8%: this invisible infrastructure work is exactly what separates restoration contractors who truly serve people in crisis from those just running insurance jobs.What is the 8%?The 8% are restoration operators who think differently than the conventional majority. They build businesses around empowered teams, community relationships, and long-term sovereignty, not insurance dependency. They're the innovators and early adopters who lead the industry forward while others wait for permission.
If you want to understand this philosophy deeper, check out the 8% Restopreneurs™ book series at https://restorationadvisers.com/store

What's next for Disaster Podcaster?Expect more field stories, fewer industry politics, and practical frameworks you can actually use.🎧 Subscribe and listen to more at: https://restorationadvisers.com/podcast

Join Restoration Business Academy: https://restorationbusinessacademy/rba

Check out UDSR at: https://unitedsurvivorsrelief.org/

Upcoming Aramsco Classes: https://restorationadvisers.com/aramsco