If your home is damaged by fire, water or perhaps a storm, it can be devastating for you and your family. Home is where the heart is, and when your precious belongings and home are damaged or destroyed, it is gut-wrenching. Most of us have a strong emotional attachment to the places in which we live - they are where our memories are, where we sleep, eat, laugh, talk and celebrate special occasions with our loved ones.
Getting Back On Track After Your Home Is Damaged
One of the worst things about suffering this kind of damage is that there is basically no time to grieve. You have to be proactive in fixing, mending, and generally dealing with the aftermath of the damage before it gets worse. Plus, you have to ensure your home is safe to return to, and that you are doing all you can to ensure this doesn’t happen a second time. So how can you get back on track after your home is severely damaged? Here are a few pieces of advice.
Have The Damage Assessed Professionally
Even if the damage appears to be minor, do not be fooled. Sometimes damage can appear pretty negligible, but when you look closer, it can have more of a negative effect than you first thought. Particularly when it comes to water damage, sometimes the damp patches or leaks you can see are only the tip of the iceberg of what is actually happening underneath. Ensure you have the damage fully assessed by a professional, in order to determine what next steps you should be taking.
Get A Quote From The Repair Company
Once the damage has been surveyed and analyzed, you should ask for an honest quote from the repairs company, which includes a breakdown of costs. Property damage restoration can be an expensive enterprise, so it is essential you are prepared for a high quote from your repairs team.
The reason it is advisable to receive a breakdown with your quote is so that you can ensure you are not being taken for a ride. Any reputable company will happily break down the cost of repairs for you; if you encounter a company who refuses this and is cagey about how your money will be spent, you should steer clear.
The reason it is advisable to receive a breakdown with your quote is so that you can ensure you are not being taken for a ride. Any reputable company will happily break down the cost of repairs for you; if you encounter a company who refuses this and is cagey about how your money will be spent, you should steer clear.
Having A Backup Plan
Depending on the severity of your home damage, you may have to relocate to different accommodations for a short time. This can be very impactful for families who are low income or rely heavily on their home and location for their livelihood. If you find yourself in a situation in which you have to move out while repairs are being done, there are a few options you can take.
Firstly, depending on your location, you can apply for emergency housing which may be provided by the state in your situation. This would mean you will save money on private accommodation, but it does also mean the state decides where and for how long you will be relocated.
Otherwise, you may wish to reach out to friends and family for support. Although this might feel embarrassing or inconvenient, the chances are your friends and family will help you in any way they can - they’ll be happy to. Leaning on your loved ones in times of need can help you feel more secure and surrounded with love and support at this difficult time.
Firstly, depending on your location, you can apply for emergency housing which may be provided by the state in your situation. This would mean you will save money on private accommodation, but it does also mean the state decides where and for how long you will be relocated.
Otherwise, you may wish to reach out to friends and family for support. Although this might feel embarrassing or inconvenient, the chances are your friends and family will help you in any way they can - they’ll be happy to. Leaning on your loved ones in times of need can help you feel more secure and surrounded with love and support at this difficult time.
Prepare For The Emotional Waves
Seeing your home partially destroyed or damaged can be extremely heartbreaking. You may feel like you have lost a person in your life, rather than a place. Even after your home is restored and you can move back in, it will not look or feel the same as before. This can be crushing, and you must be prepared to deal with this emotional blow. It’s okay to feel like you have lost something or someone special; our homes are highly emotional for us, and losing your home as you know it can be very saddening.
On top of this, the financial and logistical stress of having to restore your home after severe damage can take its toll. You may feel fine one day, and totally inconsolable the next. Try to allow yourself to feel all the necessary emotions, and soon you will feel calmer.
On top of this, the financial and logistical stress of having to restore your home after severe damage can take its toll. You may feel fine one day, and totally inconsolable the next. Try to allow yourself to feel all the necessary emotions, and soon you will feel calmer.
Conclusion
Your home being damaged is very taxing, both physically and emotionally, for you and your family. Use this helpful guide to combat home damage and get yourself back on track as quickly and healthily as you can.
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