Women leading, building, and transforming the restoration industry · 30 articles
The National Association of Women in Construction reached 5,800 active members in 2025, with restoration and remediation trades among the fastest-growing specialty chapters.
A new RIA survey finds women-led restoration companies score 12 points higher on Net Promoter Score than the industry average, driven by communication and documentation practices.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification will award 50 full-tuition scholarships to women pursuing WRT, ASD, or AMRT credentials this year.
Restoration & Remediation Magazine's annual Women in Restoration feature highlights leaders in mold remediation, large-loss fire recovery, and disaster response coordination.
New Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data shows the restoration industry has one of the narrowest gender pay gaps in the construction sector.
The trade publication's new video series puts the spotlight on women working in the field — from water extraction to structural drying — to combat persistent recruitment myths.
Census Bureau data shows women-owned firms in the specialty trade contractors sector — which includes restoration — grew at nearly three times the rate of male-owned firms last year.
The Restoration Industry Association's women's professional network will hold its inaugural national summit in Nashville this September, featuring technical workshops and business development sessions.
A growing number of women with clinical backgrounds are transitioning into mold and indoor air quality work, bringing patient communication skills to a field that desperately needs them.
Two of the nation's largest property insurers are co-funding a paid apprenticeship program to increase the number of women in IICRC-certified restoration roles.
The Houston chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction saw a surge in restoration-sector membership following a series of Hurricane Harvey anniversary events highlighting women's roles in the recovery.
A new analysis of Xactimate claims data suggests female estimators are more likely to identify and successfully negotiate supplemental line items, improving revenue per job.
A Kansas City-based restoration contractor has built a 12-person all-women rapid response team that deploys within 90 minutes of a major weather event in the central U.S.
The Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary indoor air quality training program, which covers mold, radon, and VOC assessment, reached its highest-ever female enrollment rate this year.
A former Army logistics officer used her military project management training to build a certified mold remediation company serving the Gulf Coast market.
A new RIA survey documents persistent credibility barriers women restoration contractors encounter when negotiating with insurance adjusters, and identifies strategies that work.
Three community colleges that reframed their restoration technician programs around health science and environmental protection saw female enrollment jump by 35 to 60 percent.
Tonilynn Collins, who became IICRC's first female chief executive in 2023, has made expanding access to certification for underrepresented groups a centerpiece of her tenure.
Atlanta-based Renew Environmental Services, founded by a certified industrial hygienist and a former insurance adjuster, secured Series A funding to expand into three new markets.
Among all restoration specialties, fire and smoke restoration has seen the largest percentage increase in women-owned businesses since 2019, according to Census data.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's outreach program for women in construction now includes restoration-specific safety training modules covering PPE, respiratory protection, and confined space entry.
Several major restoration franchise systems report that women now account for 20 to 30 percent of new franchise inquiries, up from single digits five years ago.
A former stay-at-home parent turned certified indoor air quality specialist built a six-figure business by positioning herself as the go-to resource for real estate agents handling mold disclosure issues.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program is directing a portion of disaster recovery funds to women-owned restoration contractors in underserved markets.
A joint initiative by the RIA, NAWIC, and IICRC has matched 200 women entering the restoration industry with experienced mentors for a 12-month structured mentorship program.
With an estimated 15,000 open positions for certified water damage technicians nationwide, industry groups are targeting women as a primary recruitment pool to fill the gap.
A new Cleanfax reader survey finds that women working in restoration trades report high satisfaction with pay, career advancement opportunities, and the meaningful nature of the work.
A Chicago-based restoration contractor has built a specialized practice in structural drying for historic and architecturally significant buildings, requiring both IICRC credentials and preservation expertise.
The federal advisory council on women's business ownership identified restoration and remediation as one of five high-growth sectors with strong potential for women entrepreneurs in its 2025 annual report.
A new RIA diversity report finds meaningful progress in women's representation at the technician level, but persistent gaps in ownership, management, and industry leadership.
