DKI is, indeed, the leader in Canadian restoration. And its members achieve this national goal, by knowing how to deliver that message to their own unique parts of the country. Because what works out west may not necessarily work as effectively out east. Then again, it might. Lindsay Sereda, marketing director of DKI SDS in Saskatchewan can speak t…

It takes many people with many skills to take on - and successfully complete – a full restoration. That typically requires contracting out one or two (or several) sub-trades. DKI - RCCN, however, found a way to reduce its need to sub-contract. Lory Perizzolo, CEO of the Calgary-based DKI member, tells us how. Cities, neighbourhoods and homes are co…

They’re no longer anomalies. Major catastrophes are now regular – even seasonal - occurrences. And they’ve spawned an industry of experts who provide important catastrophe-related data to insurance and public sector stakeholders. CatIQ is leading that charge, with Laura Twidle at its helm. The Chief Executive Officer tells us how CatIQ is meeting t…

They may have big monetary value. Or they may not. And it doesn’t matter. Because to the person who cherishes that item - that piece of jewellery, that garment, that picture, that chair, table or dresser - it’s the emotional value that’s most important. So if it’s been damaged due to catastrophe, restoring it is paramount. Sean Carter, of Calgary C…

Think of it as a jumbo-sized Play-Doh dispenser. But instead of child’s clay, it squirts out a specially-formulated concrete-like material. And instead of it being used to create a dinosaur or a volcano on the kitchen table, it’s used to build houses on lots – faster, less costly and better able to withstand natural disasters than conventional cons…

It’s not that learning-on-the-job can – or should – be replaced. But DKI knows that formal training, in a classroom setting, for its members – present and future ones – also helps to guarantee its standing as Canada’s leader in property restoration. It’s why DKI played no small role in working with Humber College to develop a new 14-week virtual pr…

The restoration industry will always rely on skilled people using good old-fashioned hand tools. And DKI has those in spades. (Get it?) But Canada’s leader in property restoration also knows it has to be a leader in industry innovation. That demands adapting to, and embracing, digital technology. DKI’s VP of Software Development, Jason Rosen, tells…

Ryan, Matt and Kyle Douglas weren’t quite satisfied with just one DKI outlet – carrying on a legacy that was built by the Douglas patriarch, Cris, who is also a DKI founder. So the bros headed 80 Ks north east from their Oshawa location to expand their DKI - CRCS in Peterborough. They share their story of expansion, from the site of their new ventu…

Some DKI business owners thrive, even rely on, that high-energy, never-stop, Go Go Go personality. And then there’s Jason Gaudet. DKI - ER Global’s owner/operator does get the job done – always with precision and deft attention to detail. But there’s a very easy-going, calm, confident and thoughtful manner to Jason that belies his age and his dedic…

Accepting a promotion comes with rewards. But it usually also comes with more responsibility, more challenges, more stress - and less time away from the job. Sure, staying put may be the safer and easier option. Unless you thrive on that challenge –and you’ve given a lot of thought to making the leap. DKI’s David Goetz and Peter Hickey did just tha…

Whew! For sure, the past year was, in so many ways, so much better than 2022, right! It was also a great year for Canada’s leader in property restoration. But it still presented challenges – which DKI always met. The past 12 months also brought a lot of wonderful successes and touching stories. We revisit some of these highlights via last year’s ep…

Most of us kick back on Christmas morning. But when DKI’s Members kick back on their special day with family, they do so with their boots on. Because when you’re Canada’s leader in property restoration, you know that a call to an emergency can come at any time. And it does, Often. We bring you three stories where DKI members – Ryan Douglas of DKI-C…

Rick Rimkey didn’t just set out to demolish a house that was completely lost to fire and rebuild a new one on the same site. The president of DKI R&F Construction in Orillia wanted the family to experience, first-hand, the evolution of its new incarnation. And in the process, he also helped the family get closure. How does that expression go? “Ther…

The people of DKI, despite all having a shared passion to help people, all have their own unique back stories. And Dan Fitzpatrick of DKI RCC Red Deer has an especially compelling back story – one in which Ronald McDonald House played a major role. Recently, Dan and his family decided to share that story via a professionally-produced video. He tell…

David Hepworth had a successful career as an independent general contractor east of Toronto. But when opportunity knocked – many kilometres north – he answered. We make the trek to North Bay to hear David’s story – and learn what drove him to assume the helm of DKI TRC, at this later stage of his working life (while foregoing a less snowy climate!)…

It’s more than just starting a new business from scratch. When you take over an existing and successful enterprise – whose long time owner/operators were beloved by staff, clients, suppliers and the community – it can be a steep hill to climb. But Kev Algar is making that climb - with a calm and poised confidence. The new face of DKI Pro Pacific on…

Being Canada’s leader in property restoration means serving more than just those living in large centres across the country. Disasters, after all, don’t follow geographic boundaries. They can affect anyone, anywhere no matter how large or small – or remote – their community is. We speak with Derek Thomas of DKI-AT Restoration in Grand Falls-Windsor…

It has been a record summer – from coast-to-coast – for wild fires. But especially for those living in Western Canada. Evacuations. Damage. Destruction. And, in many case, homes lost. We hear from a new homeowner from West Kelowna whose house was spared. But the memories of evacuating – and waiting – will stay with him. Mike Howes and his crew at D…

Stephanie Beattie of The Center for Disaster Recovery delivers training that’s directed to the root of what DKI does - empathizing with its clients, while restoring their lives following a property disaster. We sit in on her classroom at DKI-Disaster RX in Kingston, where she taught her students a better appreciation – and understanding - of equali…

Shaun Delorey and Josh Defoa, with DKI Canada , thought they’d have a breather, following a harrowing week in Montreal, assisting DKI-Refexio with a surge in claims as that city dealt with major flooding. But once back at their respective homes in Southern Ontario, both barely had time to remove their boots, before another emergency call came. This…

Mena Pereira and Mario Caetano, along with their children Diego and Mikaela, own and manage two DKI outlets in Ottawa and Montreal. And when two different weather events hit those two separate cities, causing major damage – on the same day – it could have proved overwhelming for DKI Novatech and DKI Refexio. But here’s the thing: DKI members are ne…

DKI does much more than rebuild properties. It builds communities - by welcoming, and working with - all communities. And it does this not just with words, but actions. We talk to DKI Corporate’s Adam Tzarik and Alex Dafoe – just as they’re getting ready roll (literally) to show they’re true allies in Toronto’s Pride Parade. LINK Canada aims to mak…

It happens. A client and/or their insurer deem a disaster too big, so they opt not to rebuild. But when that property is more than just a building – like a place of worship, for example – that decision weighs heavy. On the people for whom that church was a place of community, certainly. But also for the people who believe it could – it should – be …

For any organization to be successful in the present, it needs to not just accept that change is inevitable, but to embrace it. The DKI Future Council is comprised of young, but wise-beyond-their-years, DKI members from across the country who do more than just welcome change; they know how to help shape it. In this episode we talk to five Future Co…

It’s all around us, unavoidable and, when we better understand it, a great way to get a message out. Veteran journalist and communications expert Nancy Payne explains, by providing us with a teaser of what we can expect at DKI’s AGM, Evolve 2023, in New Brunswick in May. Her workshop “Make Your Point: Media relations demystified” will help DKI memb…

Every disaster causes stress – for the property owner and the restoration experts. But when that disaster was not “natural” or the result of a human error – but of human intent – it can be traumatic. In this episode we speak with Dylan Parker of DKI Parker in Windsor, which specializes in restoring properties following break-ins and vandalism. Dyla…

“I was never told that I couldn’t do something because I was woman.” DKI Canada and its Member locations across the country have made it their mission to not just welcome women, but to actively recruit them. From management and administration roles to the certified tradespeople and technicians who have boots on the ground, women are welcome, and so…

Cyber attacks aren’t an if, but a when, and when your business is affected, it takes more than just an IT specialist to get you back on-line. In part two of our series on cybersecurity, we speak with Katarina Duke, a lawyer who specialises in helping organizations through the aftermath of a cyber attack. From the proper messaging to deliver in the …

Once limited to targeting financial institutions, government agencies and large retails chains, cyber attacks are growing more common, and bolder. Attacking everything from hospitals and small businesses to educational institutions and individuals, threatening to shut down computer systems and destroy data record unless a ransom is paid. So how do …

What does it take to not only attract great employees, but keep them? In this episode we speak with John Atkinson, an insurance benefits expert from HMA the Benefits People about why benefits are a key factor in in both employee recruitment and retention. We also get a chance to speak with Elizabeth Hepworth, registered physiotherapist, who offers …

Everyone knows that they need insurance, but you may not now exactly how it works. In this episode we speak with Martin Moran of BFL Canada, an insurance company who works with DKI Canada Members across the country. Martin lifts the curtain, sharing insight on the topic gained through a long and varied history in the industry. Music for this episod…

2023 is here, and with it the conclusion of our first season of the “Across the Street, Across the Country” podcast. In this episode we look at the highlights from season 1 episodes. From catastrophic weather events, to employee shortages, we spoke with Members across the country as they faced challenges in their efforts to help get families home. …

In our industry we learn a lot about the people and businesses whose home, and lives, we restore, but what about the people behind the DKI triangle? In our final episode of Season 1, we look at some of the people who make DKI Canada, and its Members, who they are. Recharging in a busy and demanding job is important to maintain a healthy mind and bo…

A project is only as successful as the person running it, that’s why DKI Canada Members employ Project Managers. It is the job of the Project Manager, or PM, to maintain strong communication between crews, client and insurer to ensure every job goes as smoothly, and quickly, as possible. In this episode we head to Ottawa, Ontario, to speak with Ste…

What better way to change the face of men’s health than by actually changing your face? November is here and so is moustache season as the global initiative to bring attention to men’s health, both physical and mental, kicks off. In this episode we have an open and honest conversation with Jeff Sutton, of Markel Canada, about his reasons for joinin…

When your job requires you to be ready to go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, eating properly can be a challenge. This is the struggle faced by DKI Canada crews whose workdays are far from regular. From eating at strange times, like in the middle of the night, to finding time to grab a bite during emergencies, it take special effort …

Atlantic Canada is no strangers to storms, but the devastation brought by Hurricane Fiona surpassed everything previously seen. In this episode we hear how DKI - Meco Construction in Glace Bay Cape Breton is responding to the storm and meeting the challenge of restoring homes and lives. David Goetz and Shaun DeLorey of DKI Canada’s corporate headqu…

DKI Canada prides itself on customer service, treating everyone with compassion and respect. No matter who you are, where you are from, what your emergency is, or even how old you are, DKI Canada Members are here to help, and most importantly, listen. When Judith Heron called DKI – Pro Pacific in Victoria, BC. Needing some major work done on her ho…

Every story has a beginning. In the case of DKI Canada, our story begins 30 years ago with a small group of independent operators with shared values and a desire to create something more. In this episode of Across the Street, Across the Country, we speak with three DKI Canada founders; Ken Tucker, first president, Chris Douglas, patriarch of DKI – …

Dealing with the emotional toll of a disaster is not only challenging, but stressful. That’s where DKI Canada Members come in. Throughout the rebuilding process, Members across the country go above and beyond, to not only rebuild, but to offer compassion, understanding and support to those affected by disaster. In this episode we hear from an indiv…

In the second episode of our two-part series on sustainability, we continue to look at how DKI Canada Members are leading the restoration industry with their commitment to reducing, reusing, and recycling. We speak with Laurie Dean, of DKI – Barclay Restorations, about their recycling efforts that are turning waste that can’t otherwise be repurpose…

When it come to sustainability, DKI Canada’s commitment is about more than just recycling. In this episode, Rachel Kozak, DKI’s Western Canada Director, explains why sustainability is so important, and how DKI’s initiatives are leading the industry. Curt Wilkens, of DKI – Miller Restoration tells us about their special relationship with a non-profi…

Featuring interviews with DKI-Miller, DKI-ProperCare and DKI-Helferty's. We wrap up our series on the business transition by hearing from those at the receiving end of a succession. But, as you’ll hear, each new owner’s circumstances around assuming that helm are different. We learn about those journeys, which bring success, fulfillment and unique …

No matter how well you think you’ve crossed the Ts and dotted the Is, a smooth business transition always benefits from sound, unbiased, expert advice. In the second part on our series about succession planning, speaker and business guru Donald Cooper, shares wisdom gained from some of the challenges he has helped businesses face during his time as…

A storm by any other name... Before May 21, most people had never heard the term “derecho”, but DKI Members had. When a major derecho storm hit Ontario and Quebec on May 21, causing damage to properties across a 1000-kilometre area, DKI’s restoration experts stepped up. They had to. That’s what they do. That’s who they are. In this episode we speak…

Sign on the dotted line, hand over the keys, wish the new owner luck, then start your new adventure in retirement. Sounds easy, right? Not necessarily. In part one of our three-part series on the business transition, we hear from Roy and Gladys Abrams, former owners of RS Restoration now DKI - Pro Pacific. Still members of the DKI Family, Gladys an…

What happens when you partner one of the country’s most beloved children’s charities with a company committed to making a positive impact in their community? A partnership dedicated to “bringing families home”. In this episode we speak with Kate Horton of RMHC Canada, along with Brooke Hunter, Director of Marketing and Communications at DKI to disc…

The benefits of community involvement are more than just bolstering your corporate image. For DKI Canada Members, contributing to the communities they live and work in is simply the right thing to do. In this episode of “Across the Street, Across the Country” DKI Canada Members Tamara Roy of DKI – ProServe, serving Fort MacMurray, AB, and Matt, Kyl…

Not every family can do it. And not every family should do it. But for relatives working with – or for – relatives, it can be a wondrous thing. Many successful family-run DKI Canada member companies, after all, can’t be wrong. It’s all about buttons. You know, which one you can’t push, and which you can. We talk to siblings, offspring, parents and …

Finding the best people for your team is always a challenge, in any industry. But especially during these past few years with the pandemic presenting obstacles employers have never experienced. DKI members from east to west weigh in how they’re dealing with these hiring hurdles, as do a couple of tri-lingual partners from Montreal. DKI’s HR expert …