As Florida and the Southeast recover from 2024’s hurricanes, many residents and experts are asking how to rebuild in ways that prevent future losses. Civil engineering and disaster recovery experts are finding ways to build homes more resilient to extreme weather, but homeowners often encounter obstacles.
One challenge is the high up-front costs of sustainable building materials, especially when the demand surge after a disaster raises prices and strains supply. Additionally, insurance coverage tends to fund only basic rebuilding, leaving residents without resources to add resilience-focused upgrades.
Cost and Complexity: Rebuilding Challenges
When disaster strikes, the urgency to restore housing clashes with the time and costs of “building back better.” With FEMA’s stretched resources, residents often face delays in receiving aid, and even those with insurance find that payments don’t always cover the full cost of resilient building.
Local building departments play a critical role, regulating construction standards, permits, and fees, but navigating these processes can be financially and mentally exhausting. For non-English speakers, undocumented residents, or those without access to financial institutions, the complexities multiply.
Misperceptions About Building Costs
Rebuilding sustainably can be less expensive than many believe. For instance, after the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, many builders overestimated the costs of adding air-source heat pumps and other efficient technologies. This cost uncertainty discouraged residents from choosing resilient options, even though affordable solutions like hurricane straps could prevent major losses in future storms.
Across different disaster-prone areas from Hawaii to Puerto Rico misconceptions about cost also deter building professionals from adopting new materials and practices. In Puerto Rico, where hurricane straps costing as little as $35 can protect wooden roofs, builders were surprised by their affordability.
Getting Clear, Practical Information
According to experts, providing accurate information on resilience measures is crucial. However, most homeowners and builders rely on past experiences for guidance. For example, Puerto Ricans know to secure roof panels against wind but may overlook the importance of roof structure connections.
Some organizations, such as Puerto Rico’s College of Architects and Landscape Architects, are attempting to bridge this gap by offering accessible, homeowner-friendly advice.
Simplifying the rebuilding process could make a huge difference. For instance, Maui recently adopted third-party plan reviews, cutting permit review times from over a year to just 15 days. With this system, licensed contractors review building plans instead of government employees, easing bottlenecks without changing regulations.
Investing in resilient building saves long-term costs and minimizes future storm damages. By providing clear information, debunking cost myths, and streamlining processes, communities can support homeowners, builders, and insurers to rebuild smarter, creating lasting protection against climate threats.