Hiring a Rebuild Manager? Here Are the 5 Key Qualities to Look For

But First—Yes, These People Exist!

Before you start thinking, Scott, there’s no one in my area who meets these criteria, I challenge you to shift that mindset.

High-performing rebuild managers do exist. Other restoration companies have them. I’ve seen them firsthand. But if you don’t look, you won’t find them.

So instead of settling, be patient and keep searching—the right people are out there.

5 Essential Qualities of a Great Rebuild Manager

1. Communication Skills

Your rebuild manager will be dealing with homeowners, insurance adjusters, TPAs, and team members. They must be strong communicators—both verbal and written.

💡 How to Vet This in the Hiring Process:

• Take them out for coffee, breakfast, or lunch with a few team members to observe their interactions.
• Exchange emails and texts before hiring—see how professional, responsive, and clear they are.
• Ask them to explain a past project in detail—pay attention to how well they articulate the process.

2. Organizational Skills

The fast-paced world of restoration has too many moving parts to rely on memory alone. Your rebuild manager must have a system for staying organized.

💡 What to Ask in the Interview:

• “How do you stay organized?”
• “Tell me about your calendar, to-do list, or project management system.”
• “What apps, software, or tools do you use to keep things on track?”

If they don’t have a structured way of organizing their work, that’s a red flag.

3. Problem-Solving Ability

Rebuild managers must be resourceful. Challenges are inevitable—what matters is how they handle them.

💡 How to Test This:

• Ask them to describe a real challenge they faced on a job.
• Have them walk you through how they solved it.
• Pay attention to their critical thinking skills and adaptability.

4. Financial Acumen

Understanding job costing and profitability is crucial. Your rebuild manager doesn’t need to be a CFO, but they should grasp the basics of budgeting and gross profit.

💡 Simple Interview Test:

• Give them a mock job scenario with a selling price.
• Ask: “How would you arrive at a specific gross profit?”
• Have them break down labor costs, subcontractors, materials, and margin calculations.

If they struggle here, it’s a potential weakness—unless you have someone else handling this part of the business.

5. Leadership Skills

Your rebuild manager isn’t just managing projects—they’re leading a team. They must be able to motivate and direct in-house crews, subcontractors, and office support staff.

💡 What to Ask in the Interview:

• “How do you keep a team motivated on a job site?”
• “Tell me about a time when you had to get people aligned and moving in the same direction.”
• “What kind of office support did you have in your last role, and how did you work with them?”

You want to hire someone who understands how to lead through influence, not just authority.

Final Thoughts: Keep Looking—The Right Person Is Out There

Hiring the right rebuild manager takes patience, but settling for the wrong person will cost you more in the long run.

✅ Focus on communication, organization, problem-solving, financial awareness, and leadership.
✅ Use interviews, real-life scenarios, and in-person meetings to vet candidates.
✅ Stay persistent—great rebuild managers do exist!

If you have questions or want to dive deeper into how to hire and structure your restoration team, feel free to reach out.I’m always happy to help.

Keep looking, and don’t settle. The right person is worth the wait.