American Federation of Restorers

11/15/2023

RU Experienced Podcast episode 3 just dropped!

On this month's podcast, we interview Andres Gonzalez. Andres immigrated to the US from Venezuela 7 years ago and got his start in the restoration industry as a technician.

We talk about the foibles of the restoration industry, Pink Floyd, socialism, working a CAT event in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and read listener hate mail while "sipping" tequila.

https://youtu.be/UJNdktLMn5U?feature=shared

Watch the full episode on Spotify here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4HktGWiW6Sd7H2Edvm3M17?si=12258003021b4727

Michael Ovens
Zach Heern

RU Experienced Podcast episode 3 just dropped!On this month's podcast, we interview Andres Gonzalez. Andres immigrated to the US from Venezuela 7 years ago a...

11/15/2023

RU Experienced Podcast episode 3 just dropped!

On this month's podcast, we interview Andres Gonzalez. Andres immigrated to the US from Venezuela 7 years ago and got his start in the restoration industry as a technician.

We talk about the foibles of the restoration industry, Pink Floyd, socialism, working a CAT event in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and read listener hate mail while "sipping" tequila.

07/11/2023

Thank you, C&R Magazine for highlighting us in your press release and bringing awareness to our mission.

We are grateful for all of the good work you do for the industry!

https://candrmagazine.com/american-federation-of-restorers-launches-as-member-organization/

Publisher's Note: AFOR founders Zach and Mike will be joining the Restoration Today podcast in the coming weeks to discuss AFOR - stay tuned! American Federation of Restorers (AFOR), a newly-founded member organization in the property damage restoration industry, is pleased to announce its recent la...

07/10/2023

Yesterday, the industry tragically lost a fellow restorer and friend.

Logan was an experienced, hard-working technician in the field who provided for his young daughter and stay-at-home wife.

To support his wife and daughter, we have organized a GoFundMe where fellow restorers, friends, and family can donate funds to help them with practical needs.

You can donate any amount that you feel led to here:

https://lnkd.in/gccWnN5Z

We recently lost a fellow restorer too soon. Logan was a family… American Federation of Restorers needs your support for Family of Fellow Restorer and Friend

07/07/2023

Restorers...Are we all living in an echo chamber?

No one is questioning the status quo.

Why aren't we asking questions like:

❓ Why is there so much mistrust among insurers, restorers, and homeowners?
❓ Why are insurance and restoration owners flying around on NetJet and buying $20,000 ad placements at golf tournaments but crying wolf about low profits?
❓ Why are ambulance-chasing attorneys making millions of dollars off of homeowners' claims in places like Florida?
❓ Why are technicians paying for $1500 certification courses that don't actually teach them real-world experience?
❓ Why is all the focus within the restoration industry on advocating for company owners but not frontline staff like techs, coordinators, and assistants?
❓ Why are we spending so much time and energy talking about company culture but paying frontline staff pennies on the dollar?
❓ Why are restoration company owners making people sign 2-year non-competes?
❓ Why is the overall workmanship in the industry of poor quality?

These things are the norm. The status quo.

But, shouldn't we be questioning them?

At AFOR, we're bringing much-needed awareness and reform to the property damage restoration industry.

Join the mission!

www.restorationreform.com

Welcome to the American Federation of Restorers website! Learn more about our mission to restore the restoration industry and how to join!

07/06/2023

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Let's take a look at this picture and see what it's saying.

This is a picture from an insurance/restoration industry golf tournament earlier this year.

We have obscured the name on the larger billboard to the left of the Rolex sign. This ad space on the sign was bought by a real insurance carrier.

What does this picture speak to you?

Keep in mind, there are millions of dollars worth of unpaid homeowner's claims from hurricanes outstanding.

Carriers have pulled out of the state of Florida in droves over the last year, citing financial hardship as the issue.

Yet, why has a carrier purchased a 4x bigger sign than Rolex, a global luxurious watchmaker, at a golf tournament?

Join us in policing the property damage restoration industry on all sides!

www.restorationreform.com

07/05/2023

If you're a restoration company owner that:

▶️ Makes employees sign non-competes
▶️ Doesn't know ALL of your employees by name
▶️ Doesn't get into the trenches with your frontline staff
▶️ Refuses to take phone calls after hours
▶️ Doesn't provide adequate training
▶️ Puts profit before people
..then, you're part of the systemic issues plaguing the restoration industry.

Unfortunately, the above is the status quo!

If you're an owner that:

▶️ Leads by example
▶️ Doesn't hold employees down with non-competes
▶️ Has personally spent time with ALL of your employees
▶️ Isn't afraid to get your hands dirty
▶️ Values training
..then you'll love what we're doing here at AFOR.

Join us in restoring the restoration industry!

https://buff.ly/447gzyN

We make membership easy and affordable. Join thousands of other like-minded restoration technicians, assistants, helpers, and administrators. Join today!

07/04/2023

Our founding fathers STOOD for something.

What do you STAND for? What strong opinions do you have?

Many of us have strong opinions but are afraid to share them because we fear people.

Thankfully, our founding fathers weren't worried about pushback from England.

A few people decided to take a stand, even at the cost of their own lives.

As a result of their sacrifice, we still enjoy many freedoms today.

As you reflect on our independence, think about what you stand for.

What are you called to stand your ground on?

Don't let fear make you shrink back!

07/03/2023

You're just a number. A line on a spreadsheet. A cog in a machine. ⚙

Sure, your employer may put in an office snack bar or give you some $20 gift card to Waffle House because you "did a bang-up job on that last water loss." 🍭

But, ask yourself...Why are there still the exceptional, highly-experienced guys and gals you work alongside that have been in the industry for 20 years that are still scraping by at $18/hr?

Why do they keep changing companies every few years?

Late nights. Long weekends. Interrupted birthdays and holidays. Endless sacrifices.

Your employer cares about 1 thing: Money. 💰

You make them money.

All of their vain attempts at "attaboys" through gift cards and granola bars are mere obligatory handouts to keep you just satisfied enough to continue to churn out money for them.

At AFOR, we're changing this profit-over-people culture that plagues our industry.

Join the movement!

www.restorationreform.com

Welcome to the American Federation of Restorers website! Learn more about our mission to restore the restoration industry and how to join!

07/03/2023

The restoration industry is made up of a multitude of individuals.

Many coordinators, technicians, and administrative assistants working on the frontlines day in and day out are women.

We're reminded about who and what this industry and our country are built upon as we reflect on our nation's independence this week!