Storm Damage Doesn’t Always Mean Putting Your Home Back the Way It Was
Storm damage happens quickly and leaves you making decisions about a home you weren’t planning to repair, much less remodel. At RA Hyman, our goal is to understand what was damaged and make the house whole again.
Once you know what needs repair, another question may come up: Do you want everything put back exactly the way it was?
Maybe you never liked the kitchen layout. Or perhaps you want more natural light in the family room, better storage, or a more open connection between two spaces. If those areas already need substantial work, a storm damage restoration project is often a good time to make some of the changes you’ve been putting off.
The storm wasn’t part of your plans, but the remodel can be.
How Much of the Home Needs to Be Rebuilt?
Storm damage can extend well beyond where it first entered the house, affecting framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical systems, and finishes. A larger repair sometimes requires removing undamaged materials and bringing in engineers, obtaining permits, scheduling inspections, and coordinating several trades.
If we’re replacing shingles and repairing a small section of ceiling, there’s probably little reason to rethink the room below it. But reframing a wall, removing cabinetry, replacing flooring, and rebuilding a large part of a room is a different story.
Parts of the house that would normally have to be demolished for a remodel are already open because of the repair work. That gives you a chance to make changes before everything gets closed back up.
Where Remodeling Makes Sense
If an exterior wall needs substantial rebuilding, it’s a good time to look at the windows, storage, or layout while that part of the house is already open.
When storm damage means part of a kitchen already has to come out, you have a chance to reconsider the layout before ordering replacements. That might include changing cabinetry, adding storage, or opening the kitchen to an adjoining room.
Smaller updates can change the way a room looks and functions without changing the entire floor plan.
An Anne Arundel Tree Damage Project Turned Kitchen Remodel
A tree fell on this Annapolis, Maryland, home, and RA Hyman was brought in to handle the repairs. While the tree damage repair work was underway, the homeowner decided to remodel the kitchen as well.
Insurance Restoration vs. Remodeling Costs
The insurance claim is based on the covered storm damage and the terms of your policy. If insurance pays to rebuild a damaged wall, moving that wall because you’d prefer a different layout is a remodeling decision and may not be part of the covered loss.
RA Hyman works with homeowners to establish the storm restoration scope and document the construction needs related to the loss. If you decide to remodel at the same time, we identify that work separately so you understand where the insurance restoration ends and your remodeling investment begins.
When Is It Worth Remodeling?
If you liked the way your home worked before the storm, there’s no reason to redesign it just because part of the house is under construction. Remodeling makes the most sense when it involves the part of the house already being repaired.
A bathroom on the opposite side of the house, for example, doesn’t necessarily become easier or less expensive to remodel because storm repairs are happening elsewhere.
We aren’t looking for reasons to make the project bigger. If the repair work aligns with a change you’ve already wanted to make, it makes sense to have that conversation while we’re planning the repairs.
When to Make Remodeling Decisions
Remodeling decisions come after the property is stabilized and we understand what needs repair.
Timing matters. Changes to walls, windows, or layouts are best discussed during planning because they can affect the work that follows. Once framing is complete, materials are ordered, or finish work has started, a seemingly simple request can mean revising plans, reordering materials, removing completed work, and adding time and cost to the project.
Experience With Restoration & Remodeling Matters
Restoration and remodeling require different kinds of planning, especially when they’re happening on the same property. RA Hyman has experience with both.
When the two overlap, we account for the home’s existing structure, systems, insurance requirements, and the remodeling work you want to do.
Having one general contractor oversee both keeps the repairs and remodeling plans connected from the start.
Rebuild the Home You Want to Come Back To
A bigger remodel doesn’t make sense just because your home was damaged. But if there’s something you’ve wanted to change for years, it’s worth thinking about before you rebuild it.
You’ve already had one major change to your home that you didn’t choose. When it’s time to rebuild, you should have a say in what comes next.
RA Hyman Construction & Restoration handles storm damage restoration and remodeling for homeowners who need one general contractor to oversee the project. We coordinate the storm damage repair work, keep the restoration and remodeling scopes clear, and manage the project through completion.
