Homeowners
Respond and recover, one step at a time
Written by Andy Kruger
BuildSOS CEO
Something happened. You don’t need the full picture right now, just the next right step. This guide covers the full arc: the first 24 hours, documenting what’s damaged, finding a contractor you can trust, protecting yourself from fraud, rebuilding stronger, and taking care of yourself and your family through the process.
Need help right now?
Disaster AIDvisor walks you through immediate next steps, step by step.
What's in this guide
The first 24 hours after a disaster
Safety first, then the immediate next steps.
Post-disaster documentation
Photograph before you touch. Keep every receipt. Log every call.
Find a trusted contractor
Verified pros only. No storm chasers.
Protect yourself from fraud
The scams that spike after every major disaster, and how to spot them.
Know your rights & navigate your claim
You have more rights during a claim than you might think, including deadlines your insurer must meet. Here’s what to know, and what happens when you escalate.
Rebuild smarter: the FORTIFIED path
What to consider so this doesn’t happen the same way twice.
Mental health & community support
You don’t have to go it alone.
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About the author
Andy Kruger
Andy Kruger is CEO of BuildSOS, author of When the Storm Comes, and sits on multiple boards and advisory groups shaping disaster resilience policy and research.
About Andy