Have you taken any courses on water damage restoration and mold remediation yet? If not, I strongly encourage you to do so. Those classes will cover what equipment to use where, and for how long, and how to use it at maximum efficiency.
I see startups in this area (NC) spend anything from $5k to $65k on beginning equipment, depending on size of company (it does no good to have 60 dehumidifiers if you only have one tech to chart and log the jobs).
With our humidity levels, we typically see a ratio of one dehu to 3-5 air movers, with a mix of about 40% XL/30% LG/30% MD. Air movers tend to be an even mix of axials and radials, with the low-profile ones becoming quite popular due to stackability.
Meters can be even more important than equipment - how can you tell if your equipment is actually doing the job elsewise? A good combo pinned-pinless meter, plus a psychrometer, is a MUST HAVE. A thermal imaging camera can also be extremely helpful AS LONG AS YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT PROPERLY. Extra accessories like hammer probes, baseboard probes, and the like can come in handy down the road. Make sure you pick a brand of meter and stick with it across all jobs so the techs are familiar with how to use them.
You can reach out to other independent restoration companies in your area and ask for a tour of their warehouse. Offer to bring lunch in exchange. A good company will not be 'threatened' by your presence - in fact, they'll encourage your growth because they'll see you as part of their network and not as competition.
There are several different social media groups dedicated to local restoration professionals, which are also an excellent resource for local input.
Weather conditions and topography in the southeast are rather special, and as such you guys in this area face unique challenges in the field. Networking with those who have experience with local conditions can be a key factor to your success.
