Overview
Sara Raley is a highly distinguished expert in catastrophic loss consulting with over 42 years of industry experience. Known as the go-to authority for large commercial catastrophic losses, she has extensive expertise in building diagnostics, project management, and technical consulting for the cleaning, restoration, and construction industries both domestically and internationally.
Professional Experience
With a comprehensive background spanning various sectors including private and government projects, Sara has managed complex restoration projects following hurricanes, floods, fires, and other disasters across the United States, Caribbean, and United Kingdom. Her expertise includes building diagnostics, clerk-of-the-works responsibilities, thermal imaging investigations, project management, needs assessment, resource allocation, and logistics.
Currently, Sara serves as Co-Founder & Senior Executive Consultant at Restoration Advisors (since July 2024), where she handles vendor program writing, claim inspections, monitoring, scoping, estimating, documentation, and negotiations with mitigation vendors.
Certifications & Qualifications
- Master Water Restorer (MWR) – IICRC #83901
- Master Fire & Smoke Restorer (MSR) – IICRC
- Master Textile Cleaner (MTC) – IICRC
- Certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) – IICRC
- Certified Applied Structural Drying Technician (ASD) – IICRC
- Certified Carpet Cleaning Technician (CCT) – IICRC
- Certified Commercial Drying Specialist (CDS) – IICRC
- Certified Color Repair Technician (CRT) – IICRC
- Certified Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FRST) – IICRC
- Certified Health & Safety Technician (HST) – IICRC (Equivalent to OSHA 10-Hour)
- Certified Odor Control Technician (OCT) – IICRC
- Certified Carpet Repair and Reinstallation Technician (RRT) – IICRC
- Certified Upholstery & Fabric Technician (UFT) – IICRC
- Certified Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) – IICRC
- Certified Property Insurance Appraiser (CPIA) – IAUA
- Certified Building Contractor – State of Florida (CBC1254962)
- Certified Mold Remediator – State of Florida (MRSR1517)
- Level I Thermographer
Areas of Specialty
- Large Complex Loss Assessment and Management
- Commercial Disaster Recovery and Restoration
- Water Damage Mitigation and Remediation
- Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation and Indoor Air Quality
- Insurance Claim Analysis and Expert Witness Services
- Fraud Investigation for Insurance Claims
- Hospital and Healthcare Facility Restoration
- Industrial and Manufacturing Facility Restoration
- Educational Facility Restoration
- Commercial Drying and Structural Dehumidification
- Project Documentation and Cost Analysis
- Catastrophic Event Response and Recovery
- Expert Witness Testimony and Legal Opinions
- Appraisal and Litigation Support
Education
- B.S., Music Management, Florida Southern College, 1980
