The First Rebuild Decisions
Understanding your options and taking it slow
Many people enter the rebuilding phase believing that hiring third-party professionals—such as designers or project managers—will make the process easier, faster, and less stressful. On paper, it makes sense. After everything you’ve been through, it’s reasonable to want help, structure, and someone else to manage the details. However, over the years, we’ve seen that this approach can sometimes have the opposite effect. Instead of reducing stress, adding multiple third parties can increase confusion, slow decision-making, and significantly raise costs.
Remember, this is your home, and you are paying professionals to rebuild it. Your voice matters. Many clients, eager to “get back to normal,” sign contracts quickly without thoroughly reviewing them, which can create significant challenges later on.
It is critical to slow down and carefully read the fine print before signing. We often encourage clients to ask a trusted friend to review contracts with them. Outside support can be invaluable, as they are not emotionally connected and can offer a more objective perspective.
What’s included in this toolkit
✺ What disaster survivors have to say ✺
Hear from our client Jordan:
Jordan and his family lost their home in a fire in December and subsequently connected with Our Front Porch. Jordan engaged in weekly therapy to process trauma-related triggers and emotional reactions to the fire while also navigating the beginning stages of the rebuilding process.
As the rebuilding moved forward, acting as the intermediary between the insurance adjuster and the contractor became overwhelming. Jordan and his wife decided to hire both a project manager and a designer to help ease the burden. While the first month showed progress, personality conflicts soon emerged, causing the project to slow significantly.
Jordan stopped receiving timely communication from both the contractor and the insurance adjuster. He later learned that a conflict between the project manager and designer had led the contractor to stop work altogether. After three months of delays and a loss of $3,000, Jordan ultimately terminated both the project manager and the designer.
Journal Prompts
Journaling after a disaster can be a gentle way to care for yourself during an overwhelming time. Putting your thoughts and emotions into words helps your brain and body make sense of what you’ve been through, easing anxiety and bringing back a small sense of control. Even a few sentences or simple notes can make a meaningful difference in supporting your healing and emotional balance.
For adults: What does it feel like to have other people controlling the timeline of your recovery?
Where do you notice this in your body and emotions, and what thoughts come up for you when your pace doesn’t match theirs?
For kids: When something feels rushed or too fast, what happens in your body and feelings?
Have a question about your recovery?
You can call Our Front Porch at 720-593-8606 to speak to someone or email info@ourfrontporchco.org and one of our Disaster Recovery Specialists will get back to you within 48 hours.