We have been collecting thoughts from disaster survivors about the recovery process.  We have created this page for their thoughts... "Direct from the Survivors Mouth".

At the three year anniversary of the 2003 California Firestorm there was an article in the San Diego Union Tribune called "Twice Burned". Some of the stories are exactly what you should NOT do. Learn from other's mistakes.

Rachael Hernandez - Total Loss from the Old Fire in Del Rosa Oct 25, 2003 - Move in date Nov 30, 2004

January 6, 2005

It's all about patience, and take lots of pictures.  I have a scrapbook just on the house.  It's amazing how on some days it felt like nothing or no one was working on “our” house and the kids loved to see the progress using the scrapbook.

As for anyone who has lost their homes to a disaster, I would have to say that you have to find a focus.  For my self I focus on my kids and their well being…our lives still have to go on, we eat sleep, work, school…

I still have some issues that I too need to work on such as a few weeks ago we had really bad winds….the wind is what blew the fire that day and the kids and I can smell smoke almost instantly and the siren from the fire engine. My kids are doing well, we talk about how they feel and they continue to adapt to everyday living ….we have learned that no matter what the situation is stay calm.

Rick and Sharon Cords - Total Loss from the Old Fire on Willows, Oct 25, 2003

Mar 02, 2005

We would like to bring to the attention of those who are in the process of rebuilding to ask their contractors about the security of the build site and the security of the house.  Last Saturday night or early Sunday morning, our home was broken into and several thousands of dollars worth of tools and boxed fixtures, that were placed into the garage to be installed this week,  were taken.  Our tile man is from San Diego, so he was leaving his tools on the job site, in a back room not seen from the street, as he worked while staying in a motel in town.  The "bad guys" took most of his tools, grinders, table tile saw, flood lights, and more. He figures about $6000. to $7000. worth.  Most of the fixtures taken were faucets, sinks, shower fixtures, toilets, etc. etc., but costs are in the thousands as well.  Guess these things are easily sold, according to the San Bernardino City Police, at swap meets, yard sales, etc.

 

Please tell folks to make sure their contractor(s) is insured.  Have them ask their contractor what they are doing, or are going to do, for security on the job site?  We just didn't  think about this ... the doors and windows were all locked, or so we thought.  At least we were not vandalized, as some other builds have been, or so we were told. 

 

It is important that any items removed from property be reported to the police!  Even if it is just a few used bricks ... maybe those were needed in the rebuild!  Any vandalism should be reported as well.  We have asked that the police patrol the rebuild areas on a regular basis more often.  They made no promises, but if everyone that has a rebuild going on would request the same, then maybe it could be implemented for all of us.

 

Of course now that the "horses are out of the barn" our contractor is placing a security trailer on our property.  It has lights and a security camera that records any movement on the lot.  The items taken from our home can be replaced.  They were insured, but now we are, once more, behind in getting to move in as we wait for the items to be replaced.  Our tile guy is back working today, but lost two days of work while getting new equipment.   We were victimized by an arsonist on October 25, 2003 and now we have been victimized again by scum bags in 2005!!  Really ticks us off!

 

Next subject:   Lowe's is no longer offering the 10% discount.  They said they were having people come in asking for the discount and then bragging to people how they got a 10% discount and didn't even have a house that burned.  Too many people started taking advantage of the company.  Lowe's did not want to have to force people to prove they lost a house, so they just stopped giving the discount in January 2005.  Old Fire survivors have to "pay" for other peoples insensitivity.   But, having said that, we have found if we ask the manager of an establishment if they are giving discounts to survivors, we usually get one as a courtesy.  We plan on inviting all of these wonderful establishments to our Open House when our home is finished!! 

Feb 21, 2006 

What would I do different? Many things, but here are a few.

 

4. Just because they don't have it locally does not mean it does not exist. Beware of the "Lumberyard diet" They show you a menu and say this is all that is available. Don't believe it.

 

3. Framing or other items that are not shown on the "approved" drawings should not be installed at the insistance of the inspector. Stick to your guns, if the dwgs are not right and it is required that means the county has approved a set of plans as sub-standard. The inspector is an inspector not a structural engineer. If the framing contractor add labor and hardware and it is not on the dwg you should not pay for a "change order"

 

2. Shop the framing lumber to not only lumber yards but too lumber brokers. Much of the stick wood and OSB is much cheaper from Lowe's, and "no" the grade is not better from Dixieline like they say.

 

a. Paralams are very expensive, gluelams are much less. When Paralams go over 18" tall they increase by   150+%

 

b. TJI's are beautiful, but very expensive in the high ratings - such as over 230 - be carefull.

 

The number one thing I would pass on is....

 

1. Just because someone or the inspector says "it has never been done like that before" doesn't mean you can not do it.   Examples

a. The new 2004 fire ordance says no wood on decks, - but what if we put fire sprinklers in the deck lid? Well that is OK..  

 

b. no one has ever used R-19 and R-25 in the same stud bay for insulation, our response.... Why not?

 

c. no one has ever installed a motion detector to start the bathroom fans that is located 15' away from the bathroom and connects 3 bathrooms........

 

d. no one has ever put wall or ceiling speakers in the bathroom connected to the teenagers music system......

 

e. We rarely see microwaves mounted in upper casework - they are normally on the countertops. So they allow a 195.00 microwave to cover a 120.00/sf granite countertop?

 

f. Why did you make the vanity - medicine cabinet wall a 6" or 8"?? So we could actually put something in the medicine cabinet...

 

Conclusion, Please don't let the tract home builders who produce substandard products that range from 650,000 to 1.2 million Tour those homes, find the mistakes, and make a list so they dont surface in your new home.

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Last Updated: October 22, 2007