Florida is known for its warm weather, beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and hurricanes. That’s right, storms have hit all of Florida’s coastline since there is a register: 1850.
The hurricane season lasts six months, from June 1 to November 30, and its peak is between mid-August and late October. The southeast coastline is likely to get a land-falling hurricane; the rest of the state, not so much, but can expect a landfall every year.
We usually feel lost after a hurricane, many things are on our minds: home repairs, insurance, taxes, and at the same time, we are figuring out how to put our life together. To some extent, we can prepare for a tropical storm. Watching the weather channel and listening to local news can help us keep up to date.
When we return home, we want to fix things immediately, especially after a hurricane. However, to keep our family and property safe, we must follow State and county law.
Please keep reading to learn FAQs regarding post-hurricane repairs in we Florida.
Post-hurricane repair FAQs in Florida
What should I do after a hurricane?
Once safety is guaranteed, return to your home and take photos of all the damage the hurricane or natural disaster did to your property for insurance purposes.
If your home is likely to be hit by tropical storms, make it storm-proof. You can prepare your home for future tropical storms by installing hurricane shutters, strengthening your roof and garage doors, and removing any trees that are likely to fall with solid winds.
Consider that rebuilding will take time and extra energy from yourself. Follow these tips to ensure safety and progress in your rebuilding process:
- Make short-term goals and mid-term goals. Prioritize making small changes for safety and then long-term fixes.
- Take a rebuilding project yourself if you have the knowledge and capability to do so. It will be more expensive in the long run if you aren’t qualified.
- Wait until the storm is over. Then, you can return home safely.
- Don’t panic over low stock in hardware stores; probably, your neighbors are also fixing their homes.
- Take your time to process this natural catastrophe, as also it takes an emotional toll on yourself.
- Evaluate counseling for you and your family to overcome this traumatizing event.
How long does it take to rebuild after a hurricane?
To rebuild your home after a hurricane takes time and money. It usually takes from six months to two years.
Nonetheless, homeowners can help with rebuilding by accessing their insurance and savings; also, those who qualify for FEMA grants and Small Business Administration loans have a better chance of completing the project in less time.
Who pays for hurricane damage?
Let’s start with facts: no specific insurance policy covers hurricane coverage. However, your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover certain hurricane damages, depending on your coverage and insurance policy.
Nature is unpredictable, and so are the damages from a hurricane: broken electricity poles, falling trees, and damages to your car and home. Insurance companies know this, and that’s why they tend to include or exclude different property damages. For example, insurance typically doesn’t cover flooding, so we recommend buying a flood insurance policy. Also, for Florida owners is essential to purchase windstorm insurance due to hurricane season.
Since insurance companies tend to exclude flooding in Florida, you can consider the Flood insurance policies from FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). They provide coverage for a dwelling and its contents with a limit of $250,000. In case of additional coverage, you will need a policy from a private flood insurance company.
Will my home location affect the insurance policy?
Yes. The cost of flood insurance will depend on where your house is. Prone hurricane areas tend o have a higher insurance payment, especially vacation rentals and secondary dwellings.
When do I need to purchase windstorm insurance?
You need to acquire windstorm insurance ahead of the storm, of course. It will take a least one month before it comes into effect. If you live in Florida, especially on the southeast coastline, the insurance company will deny your flood insurance claim if you wait for a warning to purchase coverage.
When does homeowners insurance cover hurricanes?
A homeowner’s insurance policy covers depending on the cause of damage. For example, a hurricane can cause additional damages simultaneously, meaning insurance companies will protect homeowners for certain events but not others.
Depending on the type of insurance you have, it excludes perils, or you have coverage except for expressly excluded hazards. For example, homeowner’s insurance won’t cover your car, boat, or RV damages. Although, full coverage car insurance or boat insurance must cover vehicle damage.
Nevertheless, the effect of a hurricane is a covered peril. Check your home insurance declarations page for prone-to-hurricane areas, as insurance companies cover damages in different states than Florida.
Some damage examples are:
- Wind
- Flooding and water damage
- Sewer backup
- Evacuation and temporary relocation
An additional issue is that a hurricane will damage your neighbor’s properties at the same time. The labor and material cost will rise when you need them the most. Rising insurance costs as well.
Is hurricane repairs tax deductible?
Yes. The amount of tax reduction is calculated based on different factors and requires documented proof of loss.
How much does it cost to repair hurricane damage?
According to Angi, the national average for home repairs after extreme weather damage is $10,750, with a low of $2,666 to a high of $19,513.
It is pretty costly in Tampa, Florida: $32,300 for storm and wind damage repairs. Home repairs in Florida are expensive if you compare them to the national average or in Chicago, Illinois, $3,750, for example.
Water damage and Deck/porch repairs usually get the cake: repairs can range from $670- $3000 for the Deck/porch and $1,200 to $5,200 for water damage.
When do we need to ask for a building permit after a hurricane in Florida?
According to state law, we don’t need a permit for the following changes in our home:
- For any maintenance and repairs that don’t change the Occupancy, the value is at most fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500) in labor and material as determined by the Building Official.
- Any repair or roof covering doesn’t need a permit as long as the work is, at most, 1500 dollars.
- Minor repairs. For example, a minor repair implies not doing a structural rebuilding: cutting away any wall, a partition, or a replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, gas, soil, or electrical wiring systems; or any other work that violate any of the provisions of the technical codes.
As a rule of thumb, you need a building permit for any significant repair or long-term fix. Our local government encourages individuals and consumers to hire licensed contractors. Remember that by hiring licensed contractors, we can ensure the payment of the homeowner’s insurance.
After a hurricane or any other natural disaster, the rebuilding process will take time and money. Be patient with yourself and take prevention measurements ahead of time. Be sure to prioritize your family’s physical and mental health, and don’t shy away from counseling if necessary.
Remember, we at Suncoast permits are ready to expedite the permit process for the post-hurricane rebuilding of your home.
