Most people don’t think about restoration services until they need them. But when they need them, they really need them. Scott Felts, Business Development Manager for Restoration 1 of Ann Arbor/East Lansing/Jackson, made his Border 2 Border debut this week with a thorough, grounded look at what his team does and how they do it.
Scott opened with a bit of his own story — including a memorable post-corporate-life chapter that apparently involved bleaching his hair Slim Shady-white. Back today to his natural brown, he gave the nine-year history of Restoration 1, a franchise business with owner franchisees throughout the states. The company’s key founder left the corporate world with a goal of building something of his own. With the help of two other partners, they built Restoration 1, now a fully-certified operation with a proud 5.0 Google rating across 180+ reviews, with 24/7 emergency response capability.
What they handle: Water damage, mold remediation, fire and smoke damage, sewage cleanup, odor removal, crawl space and sump pump issues, storm recovery, flood damage, biohazard cleanup, packout and storage, and full disaster response — residential and commercial.
It’s a wide scope, and Scott was candid that some jobs require stabilizing a situation before cleanup can even begin. The team is IICRC certified, trained through both the REETS Drying Academy and Dewald Academy of Drying, and equipped for advanced structural drying using E3 technology.
What sets them apart operationally:
- Docusketch — a 360-degree AI camera system that documents every space thoroughly for fire, water, and large loss jobs
- Specialty drying systems — including under-floor drying that can save hardwood floors that might otherwise be written off
- Moisture detection equipment — tools that read moisture behind walls and surfaces, and measure air quality particulates
- Full equipment inventory — extractors, dehumidifiers, HEPA air scrubbers, ozone and hydroxyl machines, and air movers
Mold remediation deserves a specific mention — it’s governed by strict standards, and Scott made clear that restoring a space to genuine safety, not just surface appearance, is the goal.
Restoration 1 is available 24/7/365 at 517-701-2559. If you know a homeowner, property manager, realtor, or business owner who has dealt with water, fire, or mold damage — or just wants to know who to call before something happens — Scott Felts is a wonderful connection to have, at the ready. You can connect with him here!
And if Wednesday mornings at 7am with Border 2 Border Business Connections aren’t already on your calendar, come find out what you’ve been missing. We’d love to have you at the table.
