Rebuilding After a Wildfire: Ask a Builder Videos

The VC Long Term Disaster Recovery Group hired a few local, retired building contractors, who have built dozens of custom homes in this area, to provide guidance and advice from start to finish to those who were rebuilding after the Thomas and Woolsey Fires - these folks were called Rebuild Navigators. They were objective, neutral experts as they couldn't financially benefit from helping you. But they did provide free help with key decisions, like the design, plans, permits, inspections, cost estimates, hiring a builder, contracts, scheduling, and much more. In the fall of 2022 after several years working with with rebuilders we asked them to record several short videos that summarize their guidance.

ASK A BUILDER VIDEO SERIES :

#1 - Rebuilding First Steps (13 minutes)

#2 - Common Rebuilding Questions and Answers (14 minutes)

#3 -The Basics of Rebuilding Plans and Permitting (12 minutes)

#4 - Hiring a Home Builder (16 minutes)

REBUILD INFORMATION

• What are the steps in a rebuild after disaster? High-level Rebuild Flow Chart
• Information and links to resources on topics including immediate post-disaster tips, insurance, site survey and soils investigation, permitting process, bidding and construction,
• Sample Owner/Contractor contracts from American Association of Architects
• Ventura County Contractors Association - refer to member list
• 12 tips for Hiring a Contractor - from USAA
• Hiring a Contractor from Contractors State License Board video (13 minutes)

City of Ventura Thomas Fire Rebuild info page and Residential Rebuild Checklist

Ventura County (unincorporated areas) Wildfire Rebuild page and FAQ

NOTE: No particular vendor, contractor or service is recommended by the VC Long Term Disaster Recovery Group. Anyone, including Rebuild Navigators, working with the Ventura County Long Term Disaster Recovery Group signs a Code of Conduct agreement that states that are not to financially benefit as a result of their advising or guidance.

Thanks to the Ventura County Community Foundation and The Salvation Army for identifying and securing funding for this position. NOTE: The Rebuild Navigator program concluded as of December 31, 2022.

Recovery Assistance

We know that the challenges of recovery are not limited to the initial days and weeks following a disaster.

Mountain Fire Recovery and Insurance Orientation workshop

You can find a full list of all available resources and programs for wildfire impacted residents (free and low-cost legal clinics, rebuilding seminars, insurance negotiation questions, rental assistance etc.) a…

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