Why Investing in Technology Matters for Restorers Right Now

For years, restoration professionals relied on the same tools and methods. Drying processes stayed mostly the same, and estimating often meant pen, paper, and hope for the best. But that era is coming to a close. 

Technology is finally catching up to the needs of our industry, and restorers who adapt now are setting themselves up for faster workflows, better documentation, and stronger negotiating power.

Water Restoration Sketches Are Going Digital

If you have been in the field long enough, you have probably sketched a floor plan on your knee with an air mover blasting the paper sideways. Or tried to piece together a scope of work from a technician’s napkin sketch. Those days are over, or at least they can be.

3D cameras for drying jobs are changing how documentation is done. Tools like Matterport and Docusketch are no longer just for general contractors or real estate professionals. Restoration contractors are now using these cameras to capture full scans of job sites before, during, and after the drying process. 

The result is the ability to walk through the job in a virtual model, see where your equipment was placed, verify moisture levels, and clearly document drying progress.

That level of documentation gives you leverage with adjusters and clients. It also protects your team if questions come up about secondary damage or incomplete work. 

Not Just Photos. Full Integration.

With the right tools, you can generate Xactimate-ready floor plans directly from your scans. 

This eliminates the need for manual sketching, allowing your estimator to work faster and more accurately. Platforms like Matterport,Docusketch and apps like Xactimate Mobile and Magicplan offer these capabilities using built-in LiDAR sensors on supported iOS devices.

This represents a shift toward smarter, more connected workflows. With mobile LiDAR and integrated apps, you can now go from scan to scope in real time, using a single device in the field.

Want to learn profitable Xactimate techniques? Check out our Estimating and Negotiating Class!

LiDAR and the Mobile Future Are Already Here

As already mentioned, LiDAR scanning is now supported in Xactimate Mobile through the Sketch AR feature. Introduced with Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro, this technology has quickly gained traction in the restoration industry.

Technicians using supported iOS devices can scan a structure, generate a floor plan, and begin sketching directly within the app. For restorers, this means a more streamlined and accurate way to scope drying jobs on-site. 

Without any additional hardware, techs can collect data, document conditions, and feed information into Xactimate in real time. The model includes ceiling heights, room dimensions, and a clean layout that reduces the risk of sketching errors.

Even with this major advancement, using 3D cameras for sketching projects is not obsolete. Many contractors still rely on them for their established workflows.

The key takeaway is this: LiDAR is already a practical part of the restoration toolkit, and its role is growing fast. Many contractors are now using Lidar on their mobile devices with great success instead of purchasing large external cameras. As this technology advances, with the use of AI, expect more restoration contractors to do the same.

The Bottom Line for Restorers

Keep your eyes open. Technology is moving fast, and those who fail to keep up risk falling behind in both speed and credibility. In the near future, mobile apps will be able to distinguish what work needs to be done in a home and actually create estimates with your scans.

How will this affect estimators? Your job may evolve from knowing how to sketch in Xactimate to knowing what the right job is and how to get paid for it. That part will need a person, as it would be a conflict of interest to have AI take care of the entire claim for both contractors and carriers. Be sure to know what the s500 says and know how to justify your invoices. Know how and when to communicate with adjusters to come to agreement. Know how to review estimates to confirm the right job was done each time.

When the next wave of tech arrives, make sure your team is ready. We are here to support you with hands-on training, online resources, and our Estimating Pro series on Reets TV. For in depth training on negotiating with adjusters, check out our Get Paid for Water Restoration Series.