It has yet to be seen how much Hurricane Harvey will really impact the Houston area and much of the Texas coast. It is still startling to see piles of debris on the side of the road as I drive through parts of Houston. Startling because it’s not just piles of debris, but part of people’s lives on the curb. Amidst the sheetrock and ripped out cabinets are things they once held dear and I think that impact will amortize over time. Harvey will be a time marker for many when we look back.
Amidst the sheetrock and ripped out cabinets are things they once held dear and I think that impact will amortize over time.
How will Harvey impact the industry? We are seeing companies, contractors, and sub-contractors get inundated with the work to be done. As supplies decrease we may see prices go up and longer wait times. Before the hurricane, I had several projects going and several more who were eagerly waiting to start. During Harvey and soon after, I began getting calls from clients who have remodeled with us before--They had flooded and were going to stay and rebuild.
So how has Harvey impacted Evermon Homes? I had to make a choice to contact those waiting to start a new project and let them know my priority had shifted. That is not an easy thing for me to do—to tell people to wait longer or to tell them I could not even finish bidding their job at this time.
But the choice was also clear—I needed to help these families get back into their homes and lives as soon as possible. There is much work to be done and for a small company like mine, it can feel overwhelming. But as I show up each day at the different jobs and walk past the piles of debris to enter my client’s home, I recognize that my feelings of being overwhelmed is nothing in comparison to what they are going through.
Many are looking for resources throughout the process. You can find some practical advice for your questions about Post-Flood action here.
Post-Flood FAQs for Homeowners: Practical Advice When You Need It
Photo Credit: Mark Yurkon