Month: September 2018

Natural Disaster Preparedness: Planning, Prevention, and Protection

Sometimes in life, natural disasters are simply unavoidable. In the event that your family falls victim to circumstances of a serious and unexpected nature, being properly prepared is paramount. So how should you prepare for a natural disaster that you can’t anticipate? The three “P’s” of preparedness are a good place to start: Planning, prevention, and property protection. Read on for helpful tips on protecting your family, your home, and your property from some of those tricky curveballs that mother nature may someday decide to send your way.

Planning: Your First Step Toward Staying Safe

Having a plan in place is the first step you can take to keep yourself and your family safe in the
event of a natural disaster. Make a safety plan and memorize it. Share it with your family so that
everyone knows exactly what to do if things get dicey. In California, it’s a good idea to have
action plans in place for events like earthquakes and fires.

Prevention: Taking Time to Reduce Risk

Take steps toward preparing your property and the interior of your home. There are many things
that you can do to prepare for both earthquakes and fires. Taking a little bit of time to prepare
yourself and your home for potential disaster now may save you from loads of trouble down the
road.

Protection: When Hardship Hits

If you find yourself in a sticky situation, remember to stay calm. Get somewhere safe and then
tune in to your local news media station. Use common sense, don’t panic, and stick with your
disaster plan when possible.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes can happen without warning and can happen nearly anywhere.

• In the event of an earthquake, your first priority will be getting yourself and your loved ones to
a safe location. Have a plan in place for when you are driving, at home, or in a populated area. If
you have pets, remember to factor them into your emergency preparedness plan.
• Securing heavy items like furniture and televisions using cables. You may also wish to store
heavier objects on lower shelves or on the first story of your home to reduce risks or
earthquake-related injuries.

• Decide in advance how you will contact your friends and extended family in the event that cell
towers are damaged.
• Activate weather and emergency alerts on your cell phone.

Fires

Just like earthquakes, fires can happen almost anywhere and spread rapidly. Know your escape
plan and be sure to take the time to teach it to family members, especially children.
• Consider fireproofing. Certain types of siding and landscaping are available that have been
specifically designed to disrupt the spread of wildfire and repel flaming debris and embers.

• Create a “go bag” and have it readily accessible in the event that you have to leave in a rush.
• Get yourself, your family members, and your pets to safety. Head evacuation warnings and
don’t go back for valuables unnecessarily.

The Aftermath

Knowing how to proceed after a catastrophe or natural disaster is nearly as important as getting through the event in question. At ReBLDing, we know what it’s like to feel like you’ve been tossed out of the frying pan and into the fire. That’s why we have emergency assistance aids and many other convenient features available to help you in a pinch. We provide easy access to contractors that are available at a moment’s notice. We can also walk you through the entire rebuilding process from start to finish in a safe and secure environment, track the progress of your repair jobs, get reliable estimates, and communicate securely with the professional contractors of your choice in one place. Our user-friendly interface is fast and free to all homeowners. Communication tracking and screening features add to your peace of mind. We want to help lower your stress levels as much as possible after the trauma of a natural disaster. ReBLDing is here to help you get your life back.

Conclusion

Though natural disasters may be an unavoidable part of life, there are steps that you can take to make things easier. Having a plan of action, disaster-proofing your property, and knowing how to stay safe during a catastrophe are all ways that can help you reduce danger and damage. Remember, your safety matters. Things can be replaced, but people are priceless. Make safety your first priority; ReBLDing can help you easily repair damages and get your life back on track when the dust settles. We hope these tips will help put your mind at ease and make you feel more readily prepared for the unexpected, no matter what form it may take!

Your home is arguably your most important asset. Not only are you financially tied to your home, you and your family are emotionally invested in its well-being. When your house is in need of repair, you must be certain that you are working with the best contractor for your situation. 

Hiring a contractor is not a simple undertaking. Some homeowners may believe the right contractor is the one who charges the least or who worked on another building they admire. While cost and previous examples of work are great starting points, there is much more to choosing a contractor in Orange County than word of mouth or low prices. Here are our tips when finding the right contractor for the job.

Tip 1. Contractors must offer complete transparency. 
The last thing you need after your home has suffered damage is a contractor who hides plans or costs. Few contractors have malicious intent. They simply may not have a system in place that allows them to be well organized. Simplify the process by posting your job to ReBLDing and get bids for your project. Make sure that your chosen contractor is as detailed as you need with all areas of your rebuild. 

Tip 2. Updated technology is vital. 
Some contractors still prefer to put pen to paper. This may be true when it comes to drawing up plans, preparing contracts or sharing vital communication. Look for a contractor that has access to the latest technology so you can be certain that every step of the process is well documented and accessible. Our platform allows contactors to build a state-of-the-art profile to showcase their expertise; ensuring that all ReBLDing contractors have access to updated technology.

Tip 3. Hire a contractor you can easily reach.
Few things are worse than hiring a contractor, and then not being able to get in touch when you need to. Choose a contractor that responds to your questions and concerns in a timely manner. Phone calls, texts, emails and instant messaging through our secure system are useful tools that a good contractor in Orange County should employ. The ReBLDing platform gives homeowners and contractors a direct line of contact while safeguarding both parties.

Tip 4. Ask for references, but do your own research.
The contractors you contact should all have a portfolio of clients they are willing to share. Most, if not all, will have their own websites where they can direct you to see their finished work. It is important that you look through the references that are sent your way, but it is also vital that you seek more information on your own. Their ReBLDing profile, social media, business pages and personal contacts may uncover other customers who have a variety of opinions about each contractor. 

Tip 5. Seek multiple quotes.
Contractors will offer quotes before you sign any type of contract. Get quotes from multiple contractors. Look over them carefully, asking about any numbers you might find troubling or confusing. Don’t forget to ask to go over payment plans as well. Find out the percentage the contractor expects you to pay upfront and whether a second payment will be expected while the job is still underway. The majority of contractors accept both credit and debit cards, but there are some who will expect checks or cash. Take a look at our tips when choosing a contactor.

Tip 6. Document everything.
Keep a paper trail of every conversation you have with potential contractors through the use of our embedded messaging system. This process documents everything you discuss, even those matters that don’t seem significant at the time. Keeping conversations online as much as possible will help you to save this data. Having documentation in place helps to ensure that the contractor will deliver what he or she has promised because every detail is in black and white. 

Tip 7. Use an online platform to simplify the process.
ReBLDing offers a simple system that connects homeowners and contractors. We focus our efforts on helping to establish trusting relationships between contractors and clients whose homes have been damaged and must be repaired or rebuilt. The idea behind the platform is to streamline the entire building process. It allows you to communicate with potential contractors, direct message with those contractors, meet, receive quotes and handle all arrangements in an easily documented manner. Start ReBLDing your home today.