91¿´Æ¬

The AI conversation is heating up, and the restoration industry is right in the middle of it. A recent survey in C&R Magazine’s weekly newsletter showed that nearly 60% of restorers are already using AI in their business every day — often for general-purpose tasks like help drafting communications or responding to emails.

Not all AI is created equal. Some tools are useful for quick productivity wins, but the real ROI comes when AI is purpose-built for restoration workflows. And before you invest in any shiny new tools, there’s one critical step you can’t skip: getting your data in order.

You wouldn’t build a house on a shaky foundation, and AI is no different. It runs on information, and if your data is scattered across systems and files, the results won’t be nearly as accurate or effective as you need them to be. A strong data foundation is what will enable AI to deliver long-term value to your restoration business.

Why putting all your data in one place matters

• AI learns from data. Context is king — if you give AI the right data, that’s when you unlock speed and efficiency. If your data is messy or scattered, AI will struggle to make sense of it.
• It makes things faster and more accurate. Organized data reduces wasted time and mistakes. When it’s all in one spot, you can streamline your work today while setting the stage for AI to automate tasks tomorrow.
• You get better insights. AI is powerful at analyzing data, but it needs the data first. A central hub allows you to generate detailed reports, spot trends and improve how you operate.
• Integration becomes seamless. Purpose-built AI tools need to connect with your systems. When your data is consolidated, it makes adopting these tools smooth and scalable.
• Your customers notice the difference. Having all customer information in one place means faster responses, more personalized service and clearer communication.

General-purpose AI is helpful. Purpose-built AI is transformational. But purpose-built AI depends on one thing: a solid, organized data foundation.

How to build your data foundation

1. Take stock of what you have. Identify all the places where your data lives — project files, customer lists, insurance documents, photos, videos and more.
2. Centralize your data. Choose a field-first platform that can be your main data hub. 91¿´Æ¬, for example, has spent 13 years helping restorers capture and organize field data into reports that clearly tell the story of a loss. That same strength makes it an ideal foundation to prepare for purpose-built AI — without interrupting the way your teams already work.
3. Go digital and stay consistent. Convert paper documents to digital and standardize formats so everything is easy for AI to process.
4. Set rules for your data. Decide how data should be entered, stored, and accessed to keep it safe and accurate.
5. Get your team on board. Show your team why data consolidation is important and how it makes their jobs easier. This is what we call disruption without interruption — improving workflows without changing how your field teams actually work.

The base for your future success

Consolidating your data isn't just a one-time project; it's an ongoing commitment. But it’s one that pays off.  By focusing on managing your data well now, you're preparing for a future where AI doesn’t just save you time — it transforms how your business operates.

With a strong data foundation, AI becomes more than a buzzword. It becomes a trustworthy, ROI-driving tool to move your restoration business forward.

Join us Sept 24th from 1-2PM ET to hear from 91¿´Æ¬ Product Leaders as they talk about the AI landscape in restoration and what 91¿´Æ¬ is up to.