On Episode 131 of The DYOJO Podcast we discuss the tragic true story out of Olympia, Washington where a young man lost his life because of an improperly installed tankless water heater. Many lessons to be learned for organizations, managers, technicians, installers, and homeowners as it relates to hazards in the built environment.

*The contractors in this incident were initially charged with manslaughter for the improper installation of a tankless water heater

We also have details about Winter Break 2026 - check out the article in C&R Magazine

SOURCES:

Contractors Agree to Diversion Plan in Carbon Monoxide Leak That Killed 21 Year Old Evergreen State College Student Jonathan Rodriguez - https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/contractors-diversion-plan-carbon-monoxide-leak-that-killed-evergreen-student/281-3a77f49d-1fa4-42e7-80cc-68878a52c32d

Winter Break 2026 info - https://www.candrmagazine.com/winter-break-week-2026-set-to-deliver-expanded-education-networking-industry-collaboration-in-bonita-springs/

My truck got broken into - a dange smash and grab. Made me mad and thinking about some of the responses by local authorities to crime, including some interesting remarks by the mayor of Seattle.

Our vocabulary word for the day is "shrinkage". Listen to find out what it means and why it's important if you are a small business owner.Also, we end on a positive note hearing about the skilled trades and entrepreneurial journey of Joyce Gabriel, co-owner of Expert Restoration (Rochester, WA).

Our second vocabulary word is "aggressive patience". Listen to find out what this concept means and how it can help you as you pursue personal development as an aspiring professional.

"Opportunities don't happen, you create them." — Chris Grosser

For this episode, we discuss the entrepreneurial journey of Taylor Rivas and the team at H2O Away based in Tumwater, Washington. We touch on some of the history of property restoration in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). We replay some of our past interviews, including clips from industry pioneers Claude Blackburn and Cliff Zlotnik. In the middle of all this we take a trip down memory lane to learn about building a unique culture at beloved brand Snappled and the corporate implosion after big money got involved.

"I mean, they may have the appearance of riches, but beneath the clothes, we find a man... and beneath the man we find his... nucleus." - Nacho Libre

The DYOJO Podcast:

* Listen on Spotify and Apple

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* Read The DYOJO Blog and sign up for our newsletter - thedyojo.com

​* Support us by purchasing one of the construction estimating and project management books written by Jon Isaacson

Why is there NEVER enough time to do it right the first time but ALWAYS enough time to do it again? Every business owner and manager knows, there isn't. So, what are some of the ways we can fix the system, get team members focused on the right things, and crush our goals in the coming year? W. Edwards Deming has some insights on total quality managment that are applicable to any construction organization.

Also, mark your calendars for Pete Consigli's Winter Break 2026 - February 16-20 in Bonita Springs, Florida!!!

Some reports state 75% of contractors and property restoration service providers express slower than expected business in the current billing cycle. On Episode 127 of The DYOJO Podcast we discuss some ideas for how to use entrepreneurial downtime for personal growth and slow seasons for organizational improvement.

In this episode of The DYOJO Podcast we disucss* Jeff Bezos' 1 Hour Rule (Puttering) * Steve Jobs and hiring A Players * Creating clear goals for property restoration technicians * Zac from H2O Away shares how encouraging team members to be just 1% better each day can add up to big wins for employees and the organization* Upcoming restoration training, events, and conferences including The Experience (Sep 2025 in Vegas), Pete Consigli's Winter Break (Feb 2026 in Florida) , and Restoration Industry Association (Apr 2026 in Georgia). The DYOJO Podcast - Helping Contractors Shorten their DANG Learning Curve (YouTube & Spotify). Get your copies of Jon Isaacson's books So, You Want to be a Project Manager and How to Suck Less at Estimating on Amazon or TheDYOJO.com

For episode 125 of The DYOJO Podcast we review recent video of the senate hearings lead by Josh Hawley (MS) which include sworn testimony from two policyholders with Allstate and State Farm who were affected by improper insurance claims handling for property damages. The extended video includes sworn testimony from two independent adjusters who worked for insurance carrier Allstate and third party adjusting firm Pilot. Senator Hawley has direct interaction with Mike Fiato who is the executive vice president and chief claims officer for Allstate Insurance Company.

Video clips from:

* Forbes Breaking News (2 hours) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs2VKoQPvxY

* Off The Press (8 minutes) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCgzSuwSbqs&t=301s

Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast - helping contractor's shorten their DANG learning curve. Check out thedyojo.com for more information, the DYOJO blog, and sign up for The DYOJO Wire Newsletter.

A few of the questions and topics we will discuss in this episode of The DYOJO Podcast include: * What is the Restoration Industry Association (RIA)? * Should contractors join the RIA? * Is the RIA doing a good job? Episode 124 of The DYOJO Podcast "Construction Ethics, Shared Goals, and a Stronger Future"0:00 More American 1:40 RIA 2025 Recap7:35 Contractor Code of Ethics 13:42 Restoration History 18:47 Is RIA Doing a Good Job? 23:33 Weaponizing Consumer Protection 30:22 Success Tips from Taylor RivasListen to The DYOJO Podcast on Spotify and watch on YouTube. Read The DYOJO Blog for more information and links to the stories we discuss in this episode. Subcribe to The DYOJO Wire newsletter.

In this episode of The DYOJO Podcast, we explore a case study where a contractor’s attempt to secure payment backfired due to unclear communication and a surprise invoice. After alerting a homeowner to hail damage, the contractor demanded the insurance payout and submitted an unapproved $1,200 invoice, sparking a dispute. The episode highlights the importance of clear contracts, transparent processes, and ethical standards to avoid misunderstandings and ensure payment. Contractors are encouraged to use tools like pre-work authorizations, communicate expectations upfront, and align with clients on restoring properties to pre-loss conditions using like-kind materials.

Tune in for practical tips on protecting your earnings and building trust with clients.

The discussion in this bonus episode of The DYOJO Podcast emphasizes the importance of trade association involvement, highlighting the upcoming RIA International Restoration Convention and Expo in West Palm Beach from April 28-30. The event will feature member-driven initiatives, including position papers on best practices and ethical standards. The association is working on obtaining a NAICS code to distinguish its unique skill set. C&R Magazine and The DYOJO have joined forces with The 5050 Challenge which aims to encourage contractors to get out of their comfort zone to expand their professional networks. Pete Consigli joins the conversation to invite listeners to his roast to raise funds for educational initiatives. Jon Isaacson's book, Be Intentional: Estimating, will be available at the event, focusing on estimating mindsets and habits.