How long should it take a contractor to complete a flooded house,?

Dora L Lee
by Dora L Lee
we gutted it out to the ceiling in August 2016 .... any advice,Dora Lee 225-975-9680- we just want to move back in.
  10 answers
  • Sherry Sherry on Jul 23, 2017

    My home was damaged by Hurricane Michael. The contractor we hired led us to believe that he designed and built million dollar homes. They gave us a time line of 3 months. What I have discovered is that he hires the cheapest labor ( I have to correct over and over), I have been a thorn in their side lately because I want the work done correctly. The less he pays the subcontractors the more he pockets even though in the contract he allowed enough for their payment. Check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints. August will be 3 months I could have been in my home in 2 months but they have dragged their feet. That has been ok as well because it allows me to find the mistakes! I would have a discussion about time line with him and if that doesn't work talk with legal representation. Good Luck.

  • Michelle Michelle on Jul 23, 2017

    I agree check with Better Business Bureau, document , document all contact with this contractor as well as pictures, Do Not give him any money! Get a second opinion, once someone begins work, be present and ask questions, if your gut is telling you something that is not right, speak up and listen,

  • Dora L Lee Dora L Lee on Jul 24, 2017

    Thanks, sorry about house. Good luck and God bless u'al!

  • Dora L Lee Dora L Lee on Jul 24, 2017

    thank you!

  • Kim Baker Kim Baker on Jul 24, 2017

    Dear Dora,

    I know first hand what You are going through. We were Flooded June 2016.

    My advice is to engage a "Loss Assessor" if the Damage is more than £30,000.

    They work for You not the Insurance Company. They use the very best Contractors and obtain their 10% Commission for using the same Contractors everytime.

    I am so sorry for You but I am proof there is "Light and the end of the Tunnel"

    Kim

  • Ro Pettiner Ro Pettiner on Jul 24, 2017

    Depends on the extent of the damage. If you have one room, that's a matter of weeks. If you have several rooms, that's a matter of months. Also impacting the situation is what has to be done to mitigate the damage and how well the insurance pays. I have been trying to collect back my savings I had to invest in an underpaid claim from four years ago, when the insurance company paid half of what the claim actually cost. Pray you don't have Mapfre. Some times you have to fish or cut bait. You may need to fire this guy and move on.

  • Yikes! There are so many things wrong here I can't even begin to list. You may have to find someone else and move on. Every contract should have a start date and anticipated end date with stages of progress along the way. Make sure all work done to date has been properly inspected by your local housing authorities. You are a better person than I am, as I would never let it go this long. Check the Contractors License Board for your state as many times they provide helpful hints for the consumer. At this point, I would seek the assistance of a construction attorney, maybe the threat of legal action will get him to step up and finish your home. I just can't stand it when contractors take advantage of homeowners, especially in times of stress.

  • Annie Annie on Jul 24, 2017

    I agree with Naomi. These days a new house goes up in 4 months or so. The key is the extent of the damage. Was any of it structural? Electric and plumbing effected? Are other players like FEMA involved (storm regarded as a natural disaster). Please make sure the house has been fully dried out. Your first crew should have been a reputable abatement company. When it happened to me, my mortgage company became very involved and worked with the insurance adjuster. You may want to become your own subcontractor....hire each trade you need yourself. You're coming on a year which seems to be ridiculous. And you're right to be up his butt. Take pictures of everything. I have many other thoughts. Feel free to call me 973-744-1447. Been through this twice.

  • Margaret E Margaret E on Jul 24, 2017

    My contractor told me "six weeks" when he started my gut-to-the-studs renovation (NOT hurricane/water damage, "just" a renovation). It was more like 6 months, with three two-week periods when nothing was done to the house (a family emergency, two other times I was told he couldn't get his subs in). Unfortunately, I was working out of town so many things were done that had I been able to be on site, or have someone who could be, would have been done differently (i.e., light switches on only ONE side of the room; outlets NOT where I want them (there's one BEHIND the stacked washer and dryer - totally useless to me), a window still waiting to be installed. But I frequently heard about what he'd done "over and above" the contract - but not until a rather heated discussion (at which time for four weeks I'd been literally living out of a suitcase between where I stayed out of town when I worked, and my son't guest room) was I told just WHAT had been done "over and above" the contract and why. Research, research, research. If you can get references by all means CHECK THEM.

  • Karen V Karen V on Jul 24, 2017

    It can take 4-6 months to build a new home so it should be less to make repairs. No more $$$, ask for completion date estimate, have a friend or family member present when you question and if you are not happy with work and finish date, tell the contractor you are seeking legal advice. This story has been told too many times and it needs to stop! I wish you nothing but the best :)