Unlock Your True Potential

How to Find the Right Restoration Business Coach (And Avoid Costly Mistakes)

January 24, 20253 min read

When new restoration owners ask, “How do I find a restoration business coach near me?” I always smile a little. Not because it’s a bad question, but because I asked the exact same thing when I started… and I never found one.

So I became my own coach.
And trust me, it wasn’t glamorous.

Why I Went Coach-Free (And Why You Shouldn’t)

Instead of a coach guiding me through water, fire, mold and disaster jobs, I had trial, error and Google. Every mistake cost real money. Every new marketing idea felt like gambling. I pieced everything together through frustration, experiments and sometimes pure luck.

It worked in the end, but here’s the thing:
You don’t need to suffer through the same expensive “DIY business education.”

I eventually started helping other new owners for free, just sharing what I learned. Today some of them run successful restoration companies. Not because I gave them motivational speeches. Because I showed them what actually works.

What a Real Restoration Coach Should Have

If you’re looking for a coach, don’t settle for generic business advice. Restoration is different. It’s fast, it’s messy, it’s insurance-driven, and leads are ridiculously competitive.

Restoration business coach reviewing CRM systems and workflows for restoration company growth

A real restoration coach should:

  • Understand all types of restoration work

  • Know how to market without burning through cash

  • Have used a CRM to close jobs, not just store names

  • Know pricing, real profit margins and insurance communication

  • Have helped businesses grow in this exact industry

Anything less, and you’re basically paying for a cheerleader.

The Biggest Red Flag: The “Disappear and Reappear” Coach

Some coaches are loud online and invisible when you actually need them. They post tips, hype themselves up, then vanish when it’s time to answer real questions about billing or job costing.

If a coach can’t consistently show up, don’t bother.
You need someone who’s involved, not a one-minute pep talk on Zoom.

Does the Coach Need to Be Local?

Short answer: no.

When I helped new owners, location didn’t matter at all. What mattered was:

  • Regular support

  • Real strategies

  • Systems they could implement immediately

You don’t need someone who lives next door.
You need someone who knows how to build revenue, workflows and marketing in this industry.

What Actually Makes the Difference? One Word: Systems.

The biggest difference I’ve seen is simple: whether or not the coach teaches systems.

Especially CRM systems.

A CRM is the brain of a restoration company. It tracks:

  • Leads

  • Follow-ups

  • Insurance jobs

  • Revenue

  • Repeat referrals

If your coach can’t help you use a CRM to grow, they’re just guessing. And guessing is expensive.

Use This Before You Pay Anyone

Before you decide on a coach, don’t just ask “Are you a restoration coach?” Ask:

Can you show me systems that increase revenue?
Can you teach me restoration marketing that actually converts?
Can you help me avoid the mistakes you made?

If they dance around the answer, that’s your sign.

Want a Shortcut? Start with This.

I learned this industry the hard way. You don’t have to. If you’re a new restoration owner looking for real guidance, start with something simple: a free resource that helps you choose the right coach without wasting money.

Download the free guide below to find the right restoration coach the smart way.

https://offer.damagetodollars.net/

No guesswork. No gambling. Just clarity.

Damage to Dollars logo


I've been in the restoration industry since 2012, working on thousands of water, mold, odor, fire, moisture, and structural damage jobs across the United States. In 2016, I built FL Cleanup into a multiseven-figure restoration company, trusted nationwide by homeowners, property managers, commercial clients, HOAs, and businesses.

I created Damage to Dollars because:

Most people want a better life - but nobody teaches them a REAL business they can start TODAY that pays this well. If you're ready to learn and willing to take action, I'll show you exactly how to do it.

James Rice-Peña

I've been in the restoration industry since 2012, working on thousands of water, mold, odor, fire, moisture, and structural damage jobs across the United States. In 2016, I built FL Cleanup into a multiseven-figure restoration company, trusted nationwide by homeowners, property managers, commercial clients, HOAs, and businesses. I created Damage to Dollars because: Most people want a better life - but nobody teaches them a REAL business they can start TODAY that pays this well. If you're ready to learn and willing to take action, I'll show you exactly how to do it.

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