Although there are many people and companies available to help homeowners begin to repair or rebuild their damaged homes, there are unfortunately as many, if not more, out there looking to take advantage of homeowners in need. Before you hire someone to work on your home, be sure to check their credentials first, even though you may be tempted to hire the first person that knocks on your door.
The first thing you should do is document all your damage using still pictures and video. It is best to have the most accurate depiction of the damage, so taking detailed notes will help as well. Next, contact your insurance company or broker. Understand what your policy covers, what your deductible is, and what the next steps towards repair should be.