MODULE 1: DOCUMENTATION FUNDAMENTALS

Why Documentation Matters

Lesson 1.1 - The Billing Blueprint

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The Core Truth

Documentation is the direct connection between
the work you do and the money you get paid
It's not paperwork. It's not busywork.
It's the difference between getting paid in full and leaving thousands on the table.
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A Real Example

Two nearly identical water mitigation jobs in the same month

Job A - Perfect Documentation
$42,000
Estimate
Paid: $41,200
98% collected
Job B - Poor Documentation
$41,000
Estimate
Paid: $24,300
59% collected
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The Difference

$16,700
Lost on a single job
Same work. Different documentation.

Missing photos, incomplete dry logs, and a late work authorization.
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The Adjuster's Perspective

They need to justify every dollar to their supervisors

Your documentation answers these questions.
When something is missing, they can't justify the expense.
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Without Evidence...

They're not being unfair. They literally don't have the evidence to approve what you're asking for.
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The Three Pillars of Documentation

Master these and watch your approval rates increase

1. Authorization
Signed permission BEFORE work begins

Work authorization, direction to pay, certificate of satisfaction
2. Process
Ongoing documentation showing what you did and why

Moisture readings, equipment logs, daily photos
3. Evidence
Proof work was necessary and completed correctly

Photos, disposal receipts, final readings
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The Key Principle

When you have all three pillars in place,
you're not asking the adjuster to trust you.

You're showing them proof.

And proof gets paid.
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The Financial Impact

20-35%
Revenue lost by contractors
with poor documentation
If you do $500,000 in mitigation work per year,
poor documentation could be costing you $100,000 - $175,000 annually
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The Opportunity

$6,000 - $9,000
Recovered per $30K job
with proper documentation
Multiply that by every job you do,
and you see why this matters so much.
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The Documentation Timeline

1
BEFORE
Signed authorization
Initial damage photos
Initial assessment
2
DURING
Daily moisture readings
Equipment placement photos
Progress photos & notes
3
AFTER
Final dry readings
Completion photos
Disposal documentation
When you have this complete package, adjusters have everything they need to approve your full estimate.
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Every Piece Has Value

Documentation isn't about being perfect.
It's about being paid.
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Coming Up Next

Lesson 1.2: Work Authorizations

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MODULE 1: DOCUMENTATION FUNDAMENTALS

End of Lesson 1.1

Why Documentation Matters

See you in the next lesson!
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