Rebuild Your Home.
Reclaim Your Life.
If you are a homeowner who’s lost your home to fire, flood, or storm damage, this is the place to find the information and step-by-step resources you need to repair or rebuild after a disaster. Easy to read, easy to follow, and focused on helping you move forward.
Plan. Rebuild. Thrive
When disaster damages or destroys your home, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re filing your insurance claim, deciding whether to rebuild or sell, or seeking guidance on design and construction, this site—along with our free guide book—gives you tools and knowledge to help you survive the loss and move forward with hope and confidence.
Financial Recovery
Protect your financial future with a clear understanding of insurance coverage, FEMA aid, and other funding options.
Home Design
Turn ideas into working drawings with guidance on zoning, home design, finishes, and materials that fit your lifestyle and budget.
Construction
From permits to completion, learn how to find and hire contractors, manage the building process, and keep your project on track.
The Guidebook
Your Rebuilding Roadmap
Get the full Rebuild & Repair disaster recovery guide, packed with 14 chapters of advice, critical information, and step-by-step checklists you can print out and use.
Guides & Checklists
Stay organized through every stage of recovery with our downloadable guides and checklists. Print them out, keep them handy, and use them as practical tools to track progress, make decisions, and reduce stress along the way.
Featured Checklists
Home Inventory
Creating an inventory of your loss can make the difference between a smooth insurance claim and months of painful back-and-forth negotiating to get the settlement you deserve.
Step-by-Step Action Guide
Protect your safety and security, by knowing when to contact your mortgage servicer and insurance agent, find emergency housing options, and document damage.
Working with Insurance
Stay organized and learn how to move your claim forward, negotiate with confidence, and maximize your payout so you have the funds you need to rebuild, repair, or start over.
My Story
About Rebuild & Repair
When the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire destroyed more than 3,000 homes, I had several friends affected by the disaster. I was the publisher of a San Francisco Bay Area home improvement magazine and used our resources to publish a booklet to help survivors rebuild. Decades later—after living through multiple wildfire evacuations in the North Bay—I have expanded that original resource into Rebuild & Repair. While no book can fix the loss you’ve suffered, I hope that someday neighborhoods destroyed by earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or landslides will rise again—where new homes aren’t just rebuilt, but built to promote strong, connected communities designed to thrive.
