As homeowners in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Houston dig out from the devastation caused by hurricanes Irma and Harvey, some of the country’s largest home builders are also taking stock. They say they’re just beginning to evaluate how the storms will impact their operations in those markets.
Even though flood waters are receding and power is being restored, getting back to normal may seem daunting for builders with new and in-progress communities. In the aftermath of these two mega storms, BUILDER talked to industry pros who have been through natural disasters in places like Greensburg, Kan., and Baton Rouge, La. They say these types of catastrophic events are survivable for home building companies, and can even lead to greater awareness.
While these industry veterans say that business as usual is possible, it’s not going to happen right away. “I can’t even imagine the sense of overwhelm they must be experiencing,” says Daniel Wallach, who led the town of Greensburg’s sustainable rebuilding efforts as executive director of Greensburg Greentown. The small city was leveled by an EF5 tornado in May 2007. He says that in his experience one of the most difficult parts of the next few weeks will be working with deeply stressed and emotional customers. “Make sure that you keep your balance and don’t overcommit.”
Webb City, Mo., builder Gary Rose also acknowledged that the next few months will be “overwhelming” for builders and their customers. He knows this firsthand after living through the aftermath of a catastrophic mile-wide tornado in nearby Joplin, Mo., in 2011. “Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand what they’re going through….they’re going to need someone that they can rely on—so try to be a straight shooter. Be fair and honest and treat people like you’d want to be treated.”
He urged local HBAs to educate consumers about the pitfalls of working with unlicensed and inexperienced contractors. “You’ll have contractors come in from all over and some of them will be good, honest, reputable builders from other areas and some will be fly-by-nights that are coming in to make a quick buck,” he says.
Shortly after the Baton Rouge, La. Area was devastated by flood waters in August 2016, Ken Jones, a past president with the Louisiana Home Builders Association (LHBA), spoke in front of crowds and cameras urging flood victims to go about the rebuilding process the right way: patiently and intelligently. Jones and the LHBA warned victims against hiring an unlicensed contractor, who pose the threat of ripping them off.
In recently flooded areas, Jones says new-home builders might think about offering recovery/remodeling services at least for the short term. In Baton Rouge, where tens of thousands of homes were flooded over a wide swath of parishes, many builders adjusted their business models last year when their communities began rebuilding.
But not every builder can make the adjustment, notes Jon Luther, who became CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans seven days before Hurricane Katrina tore through the region in 2005. “I would find it to be somewhat challenging for them, given their business model, to go in there and hopscotch around and do one-offs,” he says of production builders. “That isn’t how they work normally so I’m not sure that would be viable for them now.”
Jones, the LHBA’s disaster response spokesman, cautions pros to explore how this type of work complies with their company’s current business plan and how recovery work will impact their ongoing and future projects. He says it’s also crucial to collaborate and communicate with other nearby builders in order not to duplicate efforts. “Determine neighborhoods, areas of town, towns in which to work – there’s plenty of work; stay close to your base,” he advises. “This holds true of project size, complexity, etc. – renovation jobs tend to become remodeling jobs.”
Builders can think about becoming a restoration expert, Jones says, by learning the terms, techniques, and approaches to rebuilding after a disaster and using this information to better inform prospective customers. Another savvy bit of advice: Don’t visit every potential project–homeowners may be soliciting bids from multiple companies so determine a way to screen callers and prioritize jobs.
Valerie Searcy, executive officer of the HBA of Southwest Missouri recommends that builders check in with their local HBA to let them know when they are back up and running and whether they are available for referrals. She says that even though the Joplin tornado occurred more than six years ago, the area is still rebuilding.
DRYING OUT
From a building science perspective, Jones warns against starting any building effort until the “muck” has cleared and jobsites are dry. “Don’t rebuild unless moisture content is less than 15%,” he says.
Whether rebuilding a damaged house or building a new one, Wallach says that contractors in these vulnerable coastal areas have a responsibility to employ resilient tactics. Traumatized customers will feel better about rebuilding if they know they are well equipped to meet the next challenge, he says.
“Be prepared with suggestions to make rebuilds more weather resistant, and have visuals and success stories to make the process easier on those making the decisions,” he says. “Equip yourself with the latest data and tools for resilient building materials and strategies.”
Greensburg builders are reaping the rewards of the sustainable rebuilding efforts they began more than 10 years ago, Wallach adds. “Those who chose to rebuild energy efficiently/resilient (2×6 vs 2×4 walls, optimal insulation, etc.) have saved approximately 50% in energy costs over those who chose the cheaper, faster route,” Wallach says. “On the commercial side that represents savings now of almost $3 million. On the residential side, half the 300 homes rebuilt have been saving 50% on heating/cooling for 10 years.”
And, he adds: “Families in the better built, more resilient homes have a lot of affection for those that built them, the ones paying double the utility bills of their neighbors, not so much.”
The recovery process in the Houston area and possibly parts of Florida will take years, says Luther, adding that it’s important for builders to understand that and to take a day or two off when they feel burnt out.
“It’s a grind,” he says. “It’s a grind for the leaders of the home builder groups, and it’s obviously a grind for builders and material suppliers. You really have to take a longer range view, even though the sense of urgency is right in your lap.”
