Most Contractors Don't Like Natural Disasters.

Most Contractors Don't Like Natural Disasters. I know you find that hard to believe. I mean, what roofer wouldn't like a good hail storm or hurricane? These things create a lot of work in a somewhat slow market right?

Yes it does create a lot of business. It also brings a lot of headache as there are not enough contractors in most areas to handle such an increase in demand. This brings in Storm Chasers (topic for another discussion). Disasters also remove entire neighborhoods and sub-divisions from the home improvement market all at once. When the average roof is replaced every twenty years or so you can see how this may affect the market.

There is also the emotional strain on the homeowners that is transferred to the contractor. Imagine standing on a steep roof and a homeowner comes up your ladder, in tears, begging you to go to their home next to cover the gaping hole in the roof. Every homeowner you see is in terrible shape emotionally.

The last time this happened to me was the tornado that hit Suffolk, Virginia April, 28th of 2008.

The above image used to be a shopping center. It has since been knocked over and rebuilt. The shopping center was full of patrons at the time of the tornado strike.

The above photo is one of HUNDREDS of homes totally destroyed. People who had insufficient insurance had to tear down and sell.

This is a guard rail from the interstate. The interstate is a half mile away. The rail is 20 plus feet in the air.

The good news was not one life was lost. Amazing

While Storm Chasing contractors love disaster, this contractor still has nightmares about one from almost a year ago...