After a Hurricane or Major Storm: The First Week of Home Repairs, and How to Hire Help

Your First Priority: Safety and Safe Re-Entry

Returning home after a storm requires caution. Your safety is most important. Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until a building inspector or other government authority has examined them and certified they are safe, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Wait until daylight to return to your home so hazards are easier to see, especially if the power is out. Leave your home or other building if you hear shifting or strange noises, which could mean it is about to fall. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, leave and contact emergency authorities right away. Do not turn on lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that can cause a spark. Do not return until you are told it is safe.

Pay attention to local officials for information and special instructions, advises Ready.gov. Be careful during cleanup. Wear protective clothing and use face coverings or masks if you are cleaning mold or other debris. Work with someone else. People with asthma and other lung conditions or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not help with disaster cleanup work.

Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Do not wade in flood water, which can contain dangerous pathogens, debris, chemicals, waste, and wildlife, and which underground or downed power lines can electrically charge. Use text messages or social media to reach family and save phone calls for emergencies.

If there are downed electrical lines or broken gas lines, leave your home and wait for local authorities to say when you can return, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Never use a portable generator inside a home or garage, even with doors and windows open, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Run it outdoors at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away.

Protecting Your Home and Your Insurance Claim

Once it is safe to enter your home, your next steps focus on documenting damage and preventing more problems. Document any property damage with photographs and contact your insurance company for assistance, advises Ready.gov. Take photos or videos of the damaged areas and personal property, says the NAIC. Try to prevent further damage by making essential repairs, like covering windows with plywood, tarp, canvas, or other waterproof materials. You may want to hire a contractor to make emergency repairs. Covering a damaged roof is hazardous work that you should not attempt yourself; a qualified professional contractor should do it. Keep all receipts for emergency repairs to give to your insurance company.

Do not make permanent repairs before talking with your insurance agent or insurance company, because your company may not pay for repairs it did not authorize, states the NAIC.

Clean up and dry your home quickly after a storm or flood ends, within 24 to 48 hours if possible, says the CDC. Open doors and windows and position fans to blow air outdoors. Throw away anything you cannot clean or dry quickly, such as mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and paper products. Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or floodwater. Thoroughly clean all wet items and surfaces, such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures, with hot water and laundry or dish detergent. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing as soon as you can.

Getting Help from FEMA

After a disaster, federal assistance may be available. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says it may provide money and other services to help you recover from uninsured losses caused by a presidentially declared disaster, such as damage to your home, car, and other personal items. Its housing help, which can include money to help repair or replace a home damaged by the disaster, is only for your primary residence, not secondary or vacation homes. You may qualify for FEMA disaster assistance even if you have insurance, but you must file a claim with your insurance provider and give FEMA the insurance settlement or denial letter to determine your eligibility for some forms of assistance. FEMA says it is required by law to make sure its assistance does not duplicate assistance available from other sources. You can apply online, by phone, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center. FEMA will never ask you to pay to apply for disaster assistance or to receive an inspection.

Recognizing and Avoiding Repair Scams

After a disaster, many people need help, which can attract scammers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says unlicensed contractors and scammers often appear in recovery zones after extreme weather, so be skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean-up or repairs. The FTC warns that these are signs of a scam:

• They want cash up front.
• They will not give you copies of their license, insurance, or a contract in writing.
• They claim they do not need to be licensed to do the work.
• They say you will get a discount, but only if you sign a contract right away.
• They tell you to sign over your insurance check.
• They ask you to pay for everything up front.
• They insist you pay by wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency, or cash.
• They ask you to sign a “blank contract.”
• They suggest you borrow money from a lender they know.
• They claim they can help you qualify for FEMA relief for a fee.

How to Vet a Contractor Before Hiring

Protect yourself from dishonest contractors by doing your homework. Before hiring a contractor, the NAIC’s Post-Disaster Claims Guide says to get a copy of the contractor’s identification, which includes the contractor’s name and the name of the business. Also, ask for their business license and check the expiration date. You should also ask for proof of workers’ compensation insurance and proof of liability insurance. The proof of insurance should show the insurance company’s name, phone number, and policy number. You should call the insurance company to verify the coverage.

Contractors may be licensed or registered. A licensed contractor has passed exams and met other requirements to show competence. A registered contractor has provided contact information to a government authority. Ask the contractor to show you the building permits. Get an estimate from more than one contractor and make sure all the quotes include the same things. Check references. Reputable contractors usually do not ask for a large payment upfront.

When this advice may not fit

This advice is for homeowners dealing with common storm damage. If your home has damage to gas lines, the electrical panel, or structural parts, or if you suspect lead or asbestos, you should not attempt repairs yourself. These issues require a qualified professional. If you have significant damage to your home, your insurance company or a structural engineer should be involved early in the process. If you are a renter, you should contact your landlord and your renter’s insurance company.