Certifications are a cornerstone of the restoration industry. But just exactly what certifications do you need to succeed in the industry as a restoration contractor? Here’s everything you need to know about must-have certifications and licenses from the experts at One Claim Solutions:
If you’ve spent any time in the restoration industry, you’ve probably at least heard of IICRC certification. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification offers a certification for just about anything having to do with inspection, cleaning, or restoration. In the restoration category, they offer the following certifications:
To become IICRC certified in a skill, you need to sign up for the related in-person or live-stream course. After the course is complete and you pass an exam, you are officially certified.
Completing IICRC courses is a great way for inexperienced restorers to gain the skills necessary to complete jobs. Courses are taught by seasoned restoration experts who know the ins and outs of restoration work. The material is based on industry-wide standards and best practices.
While not necessarily required, IICRC certification is also an industry standard. Every restoration company and property insurance provider knows what it is and understands what it means. By becoming certified, you prove to your colleagues, employers, and insurance carriers that you have a certain level of restoration knowledge. While most customers aren’t familiar with the IICRC, being able to prove to them that you have formal training can boost their confidence in your ability to restore their property.
In short, if your company offers the service, get the certification. Often, restoration companies tell their technicians what certifications they need. Many restoration companies cover any IICRC certification training and renewal fees for their employees.
“Having a GC license is huge,” Stephen Smith, a Contractor Success Manager at OCS, explains. While not quite as must-have as IICRC certification, a general contractor’s license can go a long way in the restoration industry, especially when it comes to reconstruction. So how do you know if need to have a general contractor’s license? In large, part it comes down to whether or not you’re a mitigation-only restoration contractor or a full-service restoration contractor offering reconstruction services. For full-service restoration companies that want to handle reconstruction work in-house, getting a general contractor’s license is always a good idea. In some cities and states, it’s also legally required.
Having a general contractor’s license indicates a certain construction knowledge base since getting licensed typically requires construction experience and/or formal training. This skill set will help you successfully complete reconstruction projects.
A general contractor’s license also gives you more credibility as a construction expert. This comes in handy when speaking with customers and insurance adjusters.
The requirements and process for getting a general contractor’s license vary greatly from state to state. If you’re considering getting licensed, research your local requirements.
For more insight into certification and other aspects of the restoration industry, subscribe to OCS’s newsletter, Claims Corner.
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Hi there! I’m Connor, the Account Executive for One Claim. My goal is to guide our contractors through the sales process, ensuring you’re equipped with all the information you need to make your decision and hit the ground running once aboard. We view ourselves as an extension of your business and I strive to make the process an enlightening and consultative one.
My career has primarily been focused in software sales over a few different industries but the last few years were spent helping general contractors solve similar problems to what we’re doing here at OCS! Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, cooking and boating during the summer months.
Hello! I’m Nicole, and I’m here to champion for our employees, recruit for new talent, and impact culture at One Claim Solution. I find satisfaction in supporting a memorable employee experience and bring innovation, problem solving, and strategic view to the process. Nothing is more important than our people, and a healthy culture is my top priority! I have had the pleasure of building my career in various sectors, specializing in small to medium size firms focused on high-growth. My experience is centered around driving and implementing change, leading high-performing teams, and driving process improvements. I am excited to make an impact at One Claim. Outside of work, my family and I enjoy getting outdoors as much as possible to explore beautiful Colorado!
Great to meet you! I’m Elizabeth, and I’m the one behind all the emails and advertisements you’ve been seeing. As the Demand Generation Manager at One Claim Solution, my mission is to connect with contractors like you who need our services. I’m passionate about having an impact on others and I bring a wealth of experience in demand generation and marketing strategy to create moments of delight, curiosity, and education for you.
Prior to One Claim Solution, I had the privilege of building marketing departments from the ground up at companies in a variety of industries, including IT consulting, first protection, and healthcare. Personally, I love being outdoors, playing Dungeons and Dragons and board games, singing, and traveling.
Welcome! I’m Alisha, and I’m here to champion your success as the Director of Contractor Success at One Claim. With a passion for helping contractors thrive, I bring a wealth of experience in onboarding, customer service, and account management to ensure your journey with us is nothing short of exceptional.
Prior to joining One Claim, I had the privilege of scaling SMB and Enterprise Customer Success teams at fast-growing SaaS startups. With over six years of experience at companies like Mavenlink, Teamwork, and ServiceTitan, I honed my expertise in building high-performing teams and fostering proactive, consultative relationships. This background has equipped me with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses like yours, and I’m dedicated to helping you overcome them.
Hi there, my name is Eric! I am the Chief Technology Officer here at OCS, spearheading our technical strategy. I have a background in computer science, graduating cum laude from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology.
Before coming to One Claim, I served as the Director of Engineering at Slingshot Technology, Inc., a company later acquired by WorkWave in 2021. My professional journey has spanned both emerging startups and established corporations, with a steadfast focus on cultivating high-trust, low bureaucracy teams and innovating technology using agile methodologies.
In my free time, you can find me flying drones, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with my family.
Hello, my name is Cam, I’m the COO of One Claim Solution! I come from a management consulting background (Bain & Company) and hold an MBA from the University of Michigan. I have worked at a wide variety of organizations, from Fortune 500 to small-cap, in an equally wide variety of industries. I have over 15 years of experience in operations and strategic growth, and I have spent much of my career focused on developing high-performing tech-enabled service organizations through early stage and high growth phases.
Outside of work, my wife Brittny and I have four kids, ages 13 to 6. As residents of Mesa, Arizona, we love to ski and explore the national parks of the southwest!
Hello, my name is Dan, and I am the CEO of One Claim Solution. I am super excited by everything we are doing at OCS to be the market leading insurance billing specialist that advocates on behalf of our restoration contractors.
My professional experiences are predominantly corporate in nature. My career started at General Electric in finance and accounting. Immediately prior to joining OCS, I spent time as an investor at Bondcliff Partners and management consultant with Bain & Company. I also hold an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and got my BS in finance and accounting from Northeastern University.
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my wife, two young children, and our family dog, Whiskey. We live in Charleston, SC and take advantage of the beautiful weather by spending as much time as possible outside at the beach or adventuring around town
Hi, I’m Josh! In 2016, I co-founded One Claim Solution with my partner Jeremy Traasdahl, and I serve as General Counsel of One Claim Solution. Working in the restoration industry, Jeremy and I saw contractors struggling to get paid quickly and fairly and we knew there was a need for change. We founded One Claim Solution to be this change and it’s been my privilege to see our company grow and to advocate for our clients as general counsel.
Outside of my passion for helping the restoration industry, I enjoy spending time outdoors, fly-fishing, hunting, skiing, and coaching my kids’ baseball teams. I’ve been married to my amazing wife for 20 years and we have a beautiful family of 5 children.
Hey, I’m Jeremy! In 2016, I co-founded One Claim Solution with my partner Josh Ehmke. Working in the restoration industry, Josh and I saw contractors struggling to get paid quickly and fairly and we knew there was a need for change. We founded One Claim Solution to be this change and it’s been my privilege to lead our amazing team.
Prior to One Claim Solution, I started my career as an inside sales rep for Avnet, then moved to Pepsico as a district sales manager. Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife and four children, two boys and two girls!
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