From burst pipes to natural disasters, water damage doesn’t discriminate. Add to the mix a country with an aging infrastructure, and you have the perfect – and profitable – storm for a growing home restoration industry. By Sarah Lindauer
From burst pipes to natural disasters, water damage doesn’t discriminate. Add to the mix a country with an aging infrastructure, and you have the perfect – and profitable – storm for a growing home restoration industry.
1-800 WATER DAMAGE is no stranger to this growth. For the past eight years, it has built its reputation as one of the most reliable brands for homeowners, providing restoration for water, fire, smoke, mold and sewage damage.
Part of the brand’s expansion can be attributed to its customer success model, which prioritizes more than high-caliber labor.
Business centers around empathy.
“We understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime trauma for the customer, and it’s our job to make that as easy as it can be,” said Joanne Sandberg, a 1-800 WATER DAMAGE franchise owner in the Seattle area. She understands that her job extends beyond fixing homes; she’s repairing lives.
“I think other companies forget that this is a shocking and traumatic experience for the customer. They’re used to doing the work every day, so it’s no big deal. But for the customer, it’s once in a lifetime, hopefully. We start with empathy from the first phone call and throughout the whole experience,” Sandberg added.
This human-centered model is not just morally right, it’s good for business. Strong brand recognition converts to customer referrals, vendor relationships and local partnerships. Thanks to these advantages, Entrepreneur magazine even identified 1-800 WATER DAMAGE as one of the 500 Fastest Growing Franchises in 2022.
“For us up here in Seattle, we’re feeling the momentum building. It’s crazy, and I believe it’s because of the reputation that the brand is building across the nation plus the work we’re doing here locally,” said Sandberg. Part of her growth strategy involves developing connections with local plumbers and property management companies who now refer to her when a toilet floods or a pipe breaks.
Then, there’s the parent company: BELFOR Franchise Group. As one of the largest service franchisors in the world, BELFOR has established a strong market presence that’s able to elevate the 1-800 WATER DAMAGE brand. Franchise owners are also able to tap into BELFOR’s 40-plus years of experience through a comprehensive training program that covers how to use 1-800 WATER DAMAGE equipment and demonstrate value to customers.
“They offer certifications, trainings, coaching and support that we have access to at any time. So it gives us the confidence to know that we can handle any job at any time,” said Sandberg.
This says a lot, given that Sandberg has been a business owner for 30-plus years and currently operates 18 franchises. “Even at our experience level, we still count on them,” she said.
Beyond the brand recognition, training and support, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE provides Sandberg with one more perk she couldn’t live without: the ability to be her own boss. “I can’t even imagine working for someone else,” Sandberg said, laughing. “For me, it’s about controlling my future and destiny, and 1-800 WATER DAMAGE is a great brand to jump on board with.”
Sarah Lindauer