Homeowners throughout Louisiana are still dealing with the effects of severe flooding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the other hurricanes and storms that followed. Numerous programs have been implemented by federal and state authorities to assist in the ongoing recovery effort. Homeowners with homes that are at risk of flooding may be eligible for grants and other funding to protect against future flood damage.
There are a variety of ways to protect a home against flood damage, but the most effective method is to permanently raise the home above the level of anticipated floodwaters. Called a home elevation, this process is fast becoming the flood protection technique of choice in many areas of coastal Louisiana. The process consists of lifting an existing home and installing a new foundation or pilings underneath the home.
Almost any type of home can be raised by an expert home elevation contractor. In the past, the cost of a home elevation put the process out of reach of the majority of homeowners, but thanks to the availability of disaster recovery funding, qualified homeowners can have their homes elevated at little or no cost to them.
One of the funding options is the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program that provides funding for homeowners who participated in the Road Home Program and chose Option One (staying in their home). There are additional requirements for eligibility and further complicated regulations that must be followed in order to qualify for funding. The best way to ensure you are qualified and that your home elevation complies with all regulations and requirements necessary to receive funding is to have your home elevation done by an experienced home elevation contractor.
If you are one of the many Louisiana homeowners considering a home elevation to protect your home against future flood damage, you are probably concerned about the cost. A home elevation is a big, complex job. To do it properly without causing unnecessary damage, you will need to hire an experienced home elevation contractor with state of the art equipment. There is no question that a well-executed home elevation by an experienced professional home elevation contractor requires a significant investment.
Among the costs involved are architectural costs to design the new foundation and other improvements. A structural engineer will be needed to sign off on the elevation plan. Permits must be obtained from the local authorities. There will be contractor’s fee for the work, the cost of materials to build the foundation, and excavation and demolition of the existing foundation. There may also be costs incurred for disconnection and reconnecting to the utilities including gas, electric, water, cable, and telephone.
The good news is that many Louisiana homeowners may qualify for house raising financing through one or more of the federal and state flood damage mitigation programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Severe Repetitive Loss Program, Increased Cost of Compliance, Louisiana Road Home Program and others.
Many qualified homeowners have had the entire cost of their home elevation paid through taking advantage of these funding options. That’s right – in many cases, the entire cost of a professional home elevation by an experienced home elevation contractor is covered by grants received through one or more of these programs.
To find out more about these programs and whether you qualify, contact a reputable home elevation contractor who provides assistance with grant applications.
If your home is located in a flood prone area, you may be considering a home elevation to protect your home from future flooding. If your home has suffered previous flood damage, you may be required to take steps to protect the home from future flood damage before being allowed to rebuild or to continue to be able to get flood insurance coverage.
Home elevations are a great way to protect your home from future flood damage. In a home elevation, your home is lifted from its foundation, raised high enough to clear the highest anticipated flood level, then placed on a newly constructed foundation. In some cases, the home is placed on pilings and in others a poured cement or block foundation is constructed to support the home.
The height of a home elevation can be as little as two or three feet and as much as eight to ten feet. With these higher elevations, in many cases the homeowner gains new storage or parking under the home. Almost all types of houses can be raised including homes built on slabs, poured or block foundations, or on pilings.
One important thing to look for when choosing a home elevation and shoring contractor to handle your home elevation is the type of jacking system used. The best contractors use a unified jacking system to lift the home. Houses are raised using hydraulic jacks similar to those used to lift cars. A single jack can lift a car, but for a home 20 to 30 jacks may be required.
It is important to lift the home evenly and smoothly to avoid damage to the home including damaged walls, floors, and ceilings. A unified jacking system coordinates all of the jacks so that they rise at the same speed no matter what the load is on them. That way, the house rises evenly and unnecessary damage is avoided.
If you own a home located in a flood prone area and your home has been damaged by flooding, you are facing an important choice. You may be required to take steps to reduce your future flood damage. Some homeowners simply move away, but if you want to stay in your home there is an excellent alternative.
A home elevation can permanently protect your home from future flooding. In a home elevation, a shoring contractor with house raising experience will lift your entire home and build a new foundation under your house. As a result, the next time floodwaters rise, your home will be above the floodwaters which will pass harmlessly underneath. Home elevations are a very effective way to reduce future flood damage.
An experienced house raising contractor can lift almost any type of home including homes built on a slab, homes built on blocks, and homes built on pilings. The lift can be anywhere from a few feet to more than ten feet. In some cases a useable parking or storage area is created below the home. No matter how high the lift, make sure the contractor uses a modern unified jacking system that will evenly and safely raise the home. If the house is not raised evenly, cracking and other damage can occur.
Depending on where you live, you may qualify for federal grant money to help pay for the home elevation. Residents in flooded areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Kings County Washington, and other areas may be eligible for federal or state grant money to help raise their homes. A reputable home elevation contractor will help you find any grants you are eligible for and assist you with filling out the paperwork.
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