The first 48 hours are vital to minimizing the costs of repairing a damaged home or business.

Floods, fires, and other catastrophes can cause significant damage to property and place the property’s residents and their owners in danger risk. However, once the fires are gone, or the water has receded, there are still major hurdles to overcome. Restoring property following an event can be a daunting task in every aspect, from the expense to the logistics and locating an experienced restoration service.

This is the type of daunting challenge facing the majority of Americans throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas following the devastating hurricane Idalia crashed across the southeastern coast and then landed in the Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday morning. Idalia was still a tropical storm later in the evening as it swung into North Carolina. Flooding ravaged residential and commercial areas both in coastal and cities in the inland regions of the four states.

Although it is likely to be difficult, as it will be for homeowners to overcome the aftermath of the hurricane, There are also opportunities in the challenges. Experts in real estate are aware that the reconstruction process, while challenging, may also provide potential benefits. The aftermath of a disaster such as Idalia could inspire an owner of a property to fix and upgrade parts of their property or business which they would otherwise not be able to, which can lead to a substantial increase in the value. A property that is damaged by a natural disaster could be a tempting buy for a buyer who can’t afford to pay top price for a house that is move-in ready.

Here are some strategies and tips to purchase, sell and ultimately making the most profit of a home after the event of a catastrophe.

Make sure you act quickly to reduce the damage. If your client is the victim of a catastrophe within the first 48 hours, those initial 48 hours are vital in order to keep costs low. Security is the most important thing for property owners, which is why they should make contact with local authorities right away. It is also crucial for the client to call their insurance provider, fully describe the extent of damage that has occurred to property. Also, then brush over what the policy covers and does not cover. While doing this, it’s important not to alter the property or attempt to make repairs that could adversely affect the claim. Instead, consider the property as an unfinished crime scene and leave the work to experts. If you follow these steps right from the beginning, homeowners can conserve time and cash when it comes to the process of restoration.

Choose a reliable restoration business. If you own or manage a property that has been damaged, it’s vital to have a reputable restoration service in your possession. They are the experts who can restore the property back to how it was, or in certain instances, enhance it. Find a company that offers full-service capable of handling every aspect of reconstruction, which includes reducing fire and smoke damage and tackling water damage as well as the reconstruction and demolition. Working with a firm that can handle all of these aspects allows property owners to avoid having to manage several contractors at the same time. In many instances, an insurance company can suggest a full-service restoration business.

Make the most of opportunities to improve your home. In some cases, property owners might decide to repair only what insurance covers, which is bringing an area into “pre-loss condition” by repairing only the damaged sheetrock ceilings, floors and any other areas that are affected. However, if the owner is considering selling their home in the near future, they could consider this a chance to improve the property to improve its value. Like, for example, updating bathrooms and kitchens are among the most efficient ways to increase the value of your home. Homeowners can also upgrade an old roof or siding and also upgrading their floors by switching from hardwood to vinyl.

If you are buying, do your due diligence. If you have someone who is considering buying a damaged property for an affordable price, make sure an investigation is done. Engage a reliable engineer and architect to evaluate the property carefully. Additionally, connect with local officials and ask for any public records dating prior to the fire or another disaster. A town hall, or the fire department might have information on what led to the catastrophe and the extent of damage was. Finally, you should check any prior permits that were removed from the site of the property to determine if there had been any construction projects that were not approved prior to or after the catastrophe struck.

Prepare yourself. Of course, the best method to maximize profits is to avoid catastrophe in the first place. Property owners can accomplish this by taking preventive measures. For instance, be acquainted with where the shutoff valves are. Turning off gas or water in the event of an emergency could have a significant impact. Also, you should have a plan of escape. Replace the batteries in smoke detectors as well as carbon monoxide detectors at minimum every year. Property owners should ensure that they are aware of their insurance coverage.

Nobody wants to be in the middle of an accident. If one does occur, there are steps you can take to ensure that the worth of repairs is increased. In the event of a flood, fire, or other catastrophe strikes, remember these suggestions to your memory.