Contractor Talk with Richie Kidwell

Hosted by Richie Kidwell

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

120

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

Multipreneur Richie Kidwell answers questions about the mold, restoration, and building damage industry. Listen to everything from services that help homeowners who have suffered from building damage to the latest legislative issues in the restoration industry. It's all covered here!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 21, 202623 min

The Insider's Guide to Roofing: Quality vs. Cost in Florida

In this episode of Contractor Talk, Richie Kidwell and co-host Property Damage Attorney Hans Kennon welcome Carrie Moreau, CEO and Director of Sales & Operations at Certified Best Roofing, to discuss the roofing red flags Florida homeowners should watch for before storm season. Carrie breaks down warning signs of lowball roofing quotes, vague estimates, cheap materials, short warranties, hidden change-order costs, and contracts that may leave homeowners responsible for property damage. The conversation also explores concerns about private equity in the roofing industry and what homeowners should look for when choosing a contractor. Whether you're preparing for storm season or simply need a new roof, this episode offers practical tips to help you avoid costly mistakes and choose a roofer with confidence.

July 28, 202622 min

Navigating Insurance Challenges with Florida Restoration Experts

In this episode of Contractor Talk, Richie Kidwell and co-host Property Damage Attorney Hans Kennon are joined by Jim Apuzzo of DriRite and public adjuster Sterling Scott of Trust Public Adjusting Group to discuss Florida insurance claims, restoration challenges, and how contractors can avoid costly mistakes during the claims process. The conversation covers low water and mold coverage caps, policy limitations homeowners may not understand, and how insurance company preferred vendor programs can impact restoration decisions. Jim shares DriRite’s approach to handling claims, including reviewing coverage upfront, avoiding unnecessary work before coverage is confirmed, and making sure contractors are positioned to get paid. Richie, Hans, Jim, and Sterling also discuss common misconceptions about filing insurance claims, when contractors should walk away from a project, free claim assessments, and the importance of protecting both restoration companies and property owners throughout the process.

July 23, 202624 min

The Power Dynamics: Florida's Restoration Industry vs. Big Insurance

In this episode of Contractor Talk, Richie Kidwell and co-host Property Damage Attorney Hans Kennon welcome Sterling Scott of Trust Public Adjusting Group to discuss Florida insurance claims, public adjusting, and the challenges property owners face after a loss. They explore the importance of staying within professional roles during the claims process, how public adjusters and attorneys work together, why HOAs may need loss experts, and what homeowners should know about denied or underpaid insurance claims. The conversation also covers Florida's changing insurance landscape, rising premiums, reduced coverage, claim delays, and how Sterling helps property owners prepare through expert claim guidance, pre-loss inspections, and documentation services.

July 17, 20266 min

Why Contractor Talk Isn't Just for Contractors

Welcome back to Contractor Talk! 🎙️ We’re launching a new era with shorter, more focused episodes that fit your schedule while still delivering expert insights. In this episode, hosts Richie Kidwell and Hans Kennon explain Contractor Talk’s move from radio to podcasting, what this shift means for listeners, and why these conversations matter for restoration professionals, homeowners, and consumers alike. Whether you’re navigating an insurance claim, working in the restoration industry, or wanting to better understand your rights after property damage, Contractor Talk is here with practical guidance from experienced industry professionals.

June 19, 202652 min

Leaving Live Radio: Florida Insurance Loopholes & How Contractors Fight Back!

In the final live radio episode of Contractor Talk, host Richie Kidwell and co-host, property damage attorney Hans Kennon, announce the show's transition from 94.9 FM and 950 AM back to a streamlined podcast format focused on YouTube and streaming platforms. As they reflect on their time in radio, Richie and Hans dive into some of the biggest challenges facing Florida homeowners, contractors, and public adjusters today. From insurance policy loopholes and matching endorsements to roof replacement disputes, Citizens Insurance, claim denials, and post-2022 insurance law changes, this episode breaks down what policyholders need to know to protect themselves. Learn how insurance carriers limit coverage, why shopping for the right agent matters, and how recent legislative changes have shifted the landscape for property claims across Florida. Whether you're a contractor, homeowner, public adjuster, attorney, or insurance professional, this episode delivers valuable insights into the realities of Florida's property insurance market. 📌 Stay connected: 🌐 https://contractortalkpodcast.com/ 🌐 RAF: https://raflorida.org/

June 12, 202652 min

Building Blocks: Protecting Your Home From the Inside Out

In this episode of Contractor Talk, Richie Kidwell and co-host Property Damage Attorney Hans Kennon discuss storm season preparedness across Central Florida, including recent hail activity, generator and fuel safety, and the importance of staying ready for severe weather events. They also cover a reported earthquake near Cuba that was felt across parts of Florida and what homeowners should keep in mind as hurricane season approaches. Joining the show is James Groves, founder of Hole in the Wall Drywall Repair. James shares how his Orlando-based company has grown into a nationwide franchise by focusing on expert drywall repairs, texture matching, popcorn ceiling restoration, fast estimates, and strong relationships with restoration contractors and homeowners alike. The conversation explores franchise growth, employee training through the School of Rock Drywall Academy, marketing strategies, Xactimate estimating, quality control systems, and the role drywall professionals play in restoration projects.

June 5, 202652 min

Defending Your Property: Insights on Navigating Insurance Challenges

In this episode of Contractor Talk, Richie Kidwell and co-host property damage attorney Hans Kennon break down Florida’s property insurance landscape and what homeowners should know right now. They cover why homeowners should be wary of calling insurers just to “ask questions” about claims, as well as common carrier tactics such as restrictive check language and direct repair programs that steer work toward insurer-approved contractors while limiting accountability. The discussion also touches on recent legislative changes that have reduced consumer protections, as well as broader market shifts, including insurer exits, Citizens depopulation, FIGA costs, and the impact of new carriers entering the state. Special guest Tony Busby of Great Florida Insurance shares practical advice on shopping for policies through an agent, reviewing renewals closely, and identifying red flags such as capped water-damage coverage and actual-cash-value policies. He also explains how simple inquiries can sometimes be logged as claims. The episode wraps with insights on hurricane season expectations, FEMA concerns, and proposed property tax changes affecting local services.

May 22, 202652 min

The Restoration Industry's Battle with Big Insurance in Florida

How prepared are Florida homeowners for this year’s storm season? In this episode of Contractor Talk, Richie Kidwell and co-host property damage attorney Hans Kennon discuss the realities of navigating insurance claims before and after major storms. Joined by special guest John Richardson of Kennon Law, the conversation explores how El Niño and La Niña weather patterns may impact hurricane activity, why documenting damage early is critical, and the strict deadlines Florida homeowners face when filing or supplementing claims. The episode also takes a deeper look at how insurance companies evaluate claims, including the use of engineers, ladder-assist vendors, satellite imagery, and wear-and-tear arguments that can lead to denials. Richie, Hans, and John break down common policy pitfalls such as right-to-repair clauses, roof payment schedules, and takeout policies, and discuss reports of increased denials following Hurricane Milton. If you’re a Florida homeowner, contractor, or property owner trying to better understand storm damage claims and insurance coverage, this episode offers valuable insight into the current landscape.

May 15, 202651 min

Understanding Roofing Repairs: Ensuring Peace of Mind for Homeowners

Richie Kidwell and co-host, property damage attorney Hans Kennon, return with Contractor Talk to discuss Florida’s changing property insurance landscape and why the correct “date of loss” can make or break a roofing claim, especially when damage is discovered months later. They break down shrinking coverage, rising premiums, claim handling tactics, and ongoing legal battles impacting homeowners across Florida. Special guests Jenson Pedraza and Pedro from Midas Roofing share how their company is raising the standard for roofing craftsmanship through free inspections, detailed photo reports, instant roof estimate tools, and financing options that help homeowners move forward with repairs during insurance disputes. If you are dealing with roof damage, insurance claims, or preparing your home for storm season, this episode offers valuable insights for Florida homeowners and contractors alike.

May 1, 202651 min

Navigating Legal Challenges in Florida’s Insurance Industry

In this episode of Contractor Talk with Richie Kidwell, Richie sits down with Bobby Vickery of Boltz Legal to discuss the current state of Florida’s insurance landscape and what recent legislative changes mean for homeowners, contractors, and public adjusters. They break down how changes in attorney fee laws are affecting access to legal representation and why many homeowners may now face greater challenges when pursuing property damage claims. The conversation also explores insurance company tactics, including the use of subsidiaries, rate increases, and evolving policy structures that can limit coverage. Bobby shares firsthand insight from his experience during Hurricane Ian, including dealing with insurer insolvency, delays due to FIGA, and the financial strain many policyholders faced. They also highlight the importance of pre-storm documentation, policy reviews, and understanding coverage before disaster strikes. Throughout the episode, Richie and Bobby discuss the broader implications of regulatory decisions, the role of advocacy groups such as the Restoration Association of Florida, and steps homeowners can take to better protect themselves in an increasingly complex insurance environment.