CMCORKY'S MHS™ Corky's Corner™

Remodel project guide

Storm & Water Damage Repair

Dry-out and rebuild after a leak, burst pipe or storm flooding: extraction, drying, removing wet materials, mold prevention, then rebuilding.

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What the work involves

  • Stopping the water source and making the home safe
  • Extraction and drying with equipment
  • Removing wet drywall, insulation and flooring
  • Cleaning and mold prevention
  • Rebuild: insulation, drywall, flooring, trim, paint

What should happen, step by step

Use this as a checklist while the job is underway. If a step is skipped, ask why.

Durations are typical planning ranges from Corky's field experience, not guarantees. Weather, inspections, material lead times and surprises behind walls change them.

How long it usually takes

Drying often takes several days; rebuilding can take weeks, depending on damage and insurance approvals.

Plan your dates with the Project Timeline Planner

General guidance only. Your contractor's written schedule is what counts.

Inspections to expect

  • Permits for electrical, plumbing or structural repairs
  • Insurance adjuster re-inspections

Which inspections apply depends on your city or county. Ask your contractor to share each passed inspection result. Understanding permits & inspections

What a good bid includes

Check off each item on the bids you receive:

How to read a bid · Have one in hand? Second Look Review (from $25)

Payment schedule

Insurance payments may come in stages and may list your mortgage lender. Pay the contractor as work is completed; never sign over the whole check before work is done.

  • Pay a modest deposit, then progress payments tied to finished, visible milestones (e.g., 'rough-in passed inspection'), never to dates alone.
  • Keep payments at or behind the work completed - you should never have paid for much more than has been done and delivered.
  • Hold the final payment until the final inspection is passed, the punch list is finished and you have lien waivers.
  • Avoid cash. Pay by check or card so there is a record, and get a receipt for every payment.
  • Deposit limits vary by state: California, for example, caps a home improvement down payment at 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less. Arizona has no single statewide percentage cap that we are aware of, so negotiate it and put it in the contract. Check your state's rules.

Payment schedules & lien waivers

Red flags & common rip-offs

  • Door-to-door contractors after storms demanding cash
  • Asking you to sign over insurance checks
  • Signing a contract before reading it during a crisis
  • Dry-out without moisture readings
  • Mold claims with no testing or photos
  • Contract with an 'assignment of benefits' you don't understand

Also watch for the general warning signs: large upfront payments, cash-only, no written estimate, pressure to sign today and no proof of license or insurance.

Questions to ask before you sign

  1. What moisture readings show it's dry?
  2. What will you remove and why?
  3. Will you work with my insurance adjuster?
  4. How are you licensed and insured?
  5. What is the payment schedule?
  6. Will you share daily moisture logs with me and my insurer?

Get the answers in writing, in the contract. Always ask for the contractor's license number and proof of insurance, and check the license with your state or local licensing agency. How to hire a contractor · Quick question? Contractor's Desk ($5)

Warranty

Get a workmanship warranty on rebuild work; ask what happens if moisture returns.

Expect two kinds of warranty: the manufacturer's product warranty (shingles, windows, fixtures, equipment) and the contractor's workmanship warranty on the installation. Get both in writing with the length, what is covered and how to make a claim. Many product warranties require registration or installation per the manufacturer's instructions. In Arizona, a homeowner can file a workmanship complaint against a licensed contractor with the Registrar of Contractors within two years of the last work performed on a remodel or repair.

DIY vs. hire out

Usually OK to DIY

  • Stopping the water, moving belongings, photos, fans for small clean-water spills

Hire a licensed pro

  • Large or contaminated water, mold, electrical, structural drying

Some work legally requires a licensed contractor and a permit even on your own home. Check your state and city rules.

Permits to expect

Rebuild work after water damage can require permits, especially electrical, plumbing and structural repairs. Permit rules are set by your city, county and state, so they vary a lot. Call or check the website of your local building department before work starts. When a permit is required, the licensed contractor usually pulls it in their own name.

General information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by location.

Sources

Check a contractor license: search your state's contractor licensing board, or find your state consumer protection office. External sites open in a new tab; Corky's MHS™ is not affiliated with them.

Please note

Educational information only - not legal, engineering or code advice. Rules vary by state, county and city, and change over time. Check with your local building department and licensing board, and read your own contract.