Directory

General contractors and remodelers

Rebuilding after a flood, fire or storm can mean new drywall, cabinets, floors and trim, coordinated across several trades. General contractors and remodelers put the house back together.

From cleanup to rebuild

Restoration usually comes in two phases: mitigation, which stops the damage and dries and cleans the house, and reconstruction, which puts it back together. Some restoration companies do both; others hand the rebuild to a general contractor, who coordinates drywall, cabinets, flooring, trim and the other trades.

The rebuild usually follows the scope and estimate your insurer agreed to, so it helps when the contractor's written scope matches it line by line. Larger repairs often need building permits, which the contractor normally pulls.

What the federal agencies say about hiring a contractor

These points come from the pages we read on 10/05/2026 and are linked, with the date each page shows. They are general guidance, not advice for your home.

  • Local, licensed and insured. FEMA recommends "using a local contractor, someone who is known in the community," says to "Verify the contractor's license and insurance," and to "Get two or three written estimates" (FEMA, beware of post-disaster contractor fraud, September 9, 2025).
  • Get it in writing. The FTC says: "Get a written contract and read it carefully." It lists what the contract should include: the contractor's name, address, phone and license number (if required), an estimated start and completion date, and a payment schedule. (FTC, how to avoid scams after weather emergencies and natural disasters, page undated)
  • How to pay. The FTC says: "Pay by credit card or check, never by wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or in cash." (same page)
  • Insurance checks. "Don't rely on a contractor to tell you what's covered, and never sign your insurance check over to a contractor." (same page)
  • Older homes. The EPA says "anyone paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified in lead-safe work practices" (EPA, lead renovation, repair and painting program, updated June 17, 2026).

Sources

Each page was read on 10/05/2026; the date is the one the page shows.

  1. FEMA, "Beware of post-disaster contractor fraud," September 9, 2025.
  2. FTC, "How to avoid scams after weather emergencies and natural disasters," undated.
  3. EPA, "Lead renovation, repair and painting program," updated June 17, 2026.

Questions to ask before you hire

Are you licensed and insured?

Licensing rules for contractors differ by state. Ask what applies where you live, and ask for proof of liability insurance.

Does your scope match my insurer's estimate?

Ask for a written scope and price, and compare it with what the insurer agreed to before work starts.

Who pulls the permits?

Ask which permits the work needs and whether they are included.

How will changes be handled?

Hidden damage often turns up once walls are open. Ask how changes are priced and approved, and get them in writing.

Will you provide lien waivers?

When you pay, ask for lien waivers from the contractor and the trades they hire, so no one can later claim unpaid bills against your home.

Does Restoration Advertising check these companies?

No. The companies supplied their own listings, and the directory does not rate, rank or vet them. That is why the questions above are worth asking whoever you call.