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If you’re a restoration contractor, you know that getting paid fairly and on time isn’t always simple. One of the biggest pain points is countering restoration adjuster pushback over line items on your invoices. At One Claim Solution, we help contractors respond to these challenges every day. As our Co-Founder Jeremy Traasdahl put it in a recent podcast episode: “If you do it, you should bill for it.” That’s the mindset restorers need to adopt going into 2025, even as carriers continue pushing back on standard charges that are necessary for the work. Here are some of the most common line items OCS sees adjusters push back against in 2025, and how you can approach billing and negotiating these charges with confidence.
Pushback on asbestos testing charges has grown, even though it remains a safety requirement for many jobs. Some adjusters try to argue it’s not needed unless the property is old. But that’s not how it works. Josh Ehmke, Co-Founder at OCS, explains, “We know that ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) is constantly coming into the industry… Even newer construction can test positive.” In fact, OSHA requires restoration contractors to test for asbestos in many demo situations to protect their workers. That means if you’re not testing, you’re exposing your company to legal risk, not just missed profit. When it comes time to test materials for asbestos, do it. Then, put it on your restoration job invoice, backing it up with safety laws to give yourself a stronger position to negotiate from with insurance adjusters.
Only a handful of years ago, most carriers paid for service calls without too much pushback. Then one major insurance company stopped, and others followed. Regardless of this trend, service calls are still a valid charge. They reflect real labor, equipment prep, and on-site inspections. Including this line item is still worth it. Back it up with detailed job notes and explain why it’s a legitimate part of your process.
Insurance adjusters continue to push back against air scrubber charges on restoration invoices, especially when used on Category 1 or 2 losses. But as you know, there’s a reason restoration contractors use air scrubbers. Using an air scrubber protects the health of the homeowner and your crew. You’re reducing airborne particles and creating a safer space, not just adding an unnecessary line item to the bill. OSHA and IICRC guidelines support the use of air filtration in many situations. If you used it, bill it, and include your reasoning in the documentation, citing official guidelines.
Many restoration contractors use thermal imaging on water jobs to detect hidden moisture that could lead to mold or structural damage. It’s a standard part of water damage restoration, but some restoration adjusters still push back on thermal imaging charges as “extra.”
So, how do you counter restoration adjuster pushback on this line item? Begin by explaining the role it played in your job. Take photos and include them with your invoice. If thermal imaging changed the scope of the work or protected the property, explain it. The better your documentation, the stronger your case for reimbursement for this valid line item.
The old “3 trade rule” for overhead and profit is still being tossed around. OCS has seen that argument become less common, but it’s not gone entirely. Don’t assume you can’t bill overhead and profit unless you meet some magic number of trades. If your job required project coordination, involved specialty skills, or included subcontractors, that’s a solid case for overhead and profit. A good explanation combined with clear documentation can help you better respond to this common restoration adjuster pushback.
Some restoration contractors find themselves avoiding billing for line items like the ones above to avoid payment delays or frustrating restoration adjuster pushback. At OCS, we see contractors all the time who have fallen into this habit in the past. “They’re like, ‘I don’t want to tie up my cash flow… I’ll either not bill for it, or I’ll be super fast to concede it,’” Jeremy explains. While this is understandable, if you do that job and don’t bill for it, you’re losing money. Just because restoration adjusters have pushed back on a charge in the past doesn’t mean that it’s fair for you to have to avoid adding that charge ever again. Instead, you need to optimize your restoration billing strategy to have faster, more successful counterarguments and better pushback prevention tactics.
Fighting restoration adjuster pushback doesn’t have to be your job alone. At One Claim Solution, we step in to negotiate on your behalf, backing your line items with documentation, legal knowledge, and experience from thousands of claims. We know what’s fair, and we’re not afraid to stand up for it. Contractors who partner with OCS collect faster and more successfully, all with less stress involved.
If you’re tired of writing off work you know you did or losing hours arguing over justified charges, it might be time to work with a claims billing partner who’s got your back. Let One Claim Solution handle the restoration adjuster pushback so that you can focus on doing the work. Reach out today to learn how we can support you and your restoration business.
335 E Germann Rd #340
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Hi there! I’m Connor, the Account Executive for One Claim. My goal is to guide our contractors through the sales process, ensuring you’re equipped with all the information you need to make your decision and hit the ground running once aboard. We view ourselves as an extension of your business and I strive to make the process an enlightening and consultative one.
My career has primarily been focused in software sales over a few different industries but the last few years were spent helping general contractors solve similar problems to what we’re doing here at OCS! Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, cooking and boating during the summer months.
Hello! I’m Nicole, and I’m here to champion for our employees, recruit for new talent, and impact culture at One Claim Solution. I find satisfaction in supporting a memorable employee experience and bring innovation, problem solving, and strategic view to the process. Nothing is more important than our people, and a healthy culture is my top priority! I have had the pleasure of building my career in various sectors, specializing in small to medium size firms focused on high-growth. My experience is centered around driving and implementing change, leading high-performing teams, and driving process improvements. I am excited to make an impact at One Claim. Outside of work, my family and I enjoy getting outdoors as much as possible to explore beautiful Colorado!
Great to meet you! I’m Elizabeth, and I’m the one behind all the emails and advertisements you’ve been seeing. As the Demand Generation Manager at One Claim Solution, my mission is to connect with contractors like you who need our services. I’m passionate about having an impact on others and I bring a wealth of experience in demand generation and marketing strategy to create moments of delight, curiosity, and education for you.
Prior to One Claim Solution, I had the privilege of building marketing departments from the ground up at companies in a variety of industries, including IT consulting, first protection, and healthcare. Personally, I love being outdoors, playing Dungeons and Dragons and board games, singing, and traveling.
Welcome! I’m Alisha, and I’m here to champion your success as the Director of Contractor Success at One Claim. With a passion for helping contractors thrive, I bring a wealth of experience in onboarding, customer service, and account management to ensure your journey with us is nothing short of exceptional.
Prior to joining One Claim, I had the privilege of scaling SMB and Enterprise Customer Success teams at fast-growing SaaS startups. With over six years of experience at companies like Mavenlink, Teamwork, and ServiceTitan, I honed my expertise in building high-performing teams and fostering proactive, consultative relationships. This background has equipped me with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses like yours, and I’m dedicated to helping you overcome them.
Hi there, my name is Eric! I am the Chief Technology Officer here at OCS, spearheading our technical strategy. I have a background in computer science, graduating cum laude from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology.
Before coming to One Claim, I served as the Director of Engineering at Slingshot Technology, Inc., a company later acquired by WorkWave in 2021. My professional journey has spanned both emerging startups and established corporations, with a steadfast focus on cultivating high-trust, low bureaucracy teams and innovating technology using agile methodologies.
In my free time, you can find me flying drones, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with my family.
Hello, my name is Cam, I’m the COO of One Claim Solution! I come from a management consulting background (Bain & Company) and hold an MBA from the University of Michigan. I have worked at a wide variety of organizations, from Fortune 500 to small-cap, in an equally wide variety of industries. I have over 15 years of experience in operations and strategic growth, and I have spent much of my career focused on developing high-performing tech-enabled service organizations through early stage and high growth phases.
Outside of work, my wife Brittny and I have four kids, ages 13 to 6. As residents of Mesa, Arizona, we love to ski and explore the national parks of the southwest!
Hello, my name is Dan, and I am the CEO of One Claim Solution. I am super excited by everything we are doing at OCS to be the market leading insurance billing specialist that advocates on behalf of our restoration contractors.
My professional experiences are predominantly corporate in nature. My career started at General Electric in finance and accounting. Immediately prior to joining OCS, I spent time as an investor at Bondcliff Partners and management consultant with Bain & Company. I also hold an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and got my BS in finance and accounting from Northeastern University.
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my wife, two young children, and our family dog, Whiskey. We live in Charleston, SC and take advantage of the beautiful weather by spending as much time as possible outside at the beach or adventuring around town
Hi, I’m Josh! In 2016, I co-founded One Claim Solution with my partner Jeremy Traasdahl, and I serve as General Counsel of One Claim Solution. Working in the restoration industry, Jeremy and I saw contractors struggling to get paid quickly and fairly and we knew there was a need for change. We founded One Claim Solution to be this change and it’s been my privilege to see our company grow and to advocate for our clients as general counsel.
Outside of my passion for helping the restoration industry, I enjoy spending time outdoors, fly-fishing, hunting, skiing, and coaching my kids’ baseball teams. I’ve been married to my amazing wife for 20 years and we have a beautiful family of 5 children.
Hey, I’m Jeremy! In 2016, I co-founded One Claim Solution with my partner Josh Ehmke. Working in the restoration industry, Josh and I saw contractors struggling to get paid quickly and fairly and we knew there was a need for change. We founded One Claim Solution to be this change and it’s been my privilege to lead our amazing team.
Prior to One Claim Solution, I started my career as an inside sales rep for Avnet, then moved to Pepsico as a district sales manager. Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife and four children, two boys and two girls!