Construction
CONSTRUCTION
Once construction is ready to begin, your program-selected contractor will be issued a Notice to Proceed. This notice allows construction-related activities to begin. The contractor will perform construction activities – either rehabilitation or reconstruction – as outlined in your Estimated Cost of Repairs and grant agreement. The work follows the agreed-upon scope of work and uses standard-grade construction materials for your home.
As a reminder, Homeowner Recovery Program construction activities address the structure of your home only. The program is not authorized to repair or replace items like garages, carports, sheds, fences and driveways that are not attached to the structure of your home.
If you received funding from other sources (such as FEMA or SBA) to repair your damaged home, federal law requires those funds to be used first for their intended purpose before the Homeowner Recovery Program provides additional funding. If, during the damage inspection, the program cannot verify that those previously received funds were used to repair your damaged home, you may owe escrow funds to the program to cover the costs of the repairs not completed.
Any escrow funds due must be paid directly after you sign your grant agreement. Once you enter the Construction stage, those escrow funds are matched with your grant funds to ensure your construction project is fully funded.
Your grant agreement details the terms of your Homeowner Recovery Program award, including the scope of construction activities and type of materials that will be used to rehabilitate or reconstruct your damaged home.
Please note that your grant agreement may not be partially accepted. If you have a reimbursement and rehabilitation grant agreement, you must accept both portions of the agreement or reject both portions. All repairs in the damage inspection reports must be completed and pass all local inspections before a reimbursement check can be mailed. Repairs must pass an inspection.
All program construction activities are conducted in compliance with Green Building Standards – meaning that all construction is environmentally responsible and resource efficient. Standard-grade materials are used to ensure the completed home meets federal Housing Quality Standards.
The use of standard-grade materials is required by federal law and therefore non-negotiable. Standard-grade materials will be used even if you may have had higher-grade materials in your home at the time of the disaster event. The program’s use of standard-grade materials allows helps serve as many homeowners as possible while also ensuring that all homes are treated equitably, with all homes receiving the same standard materials for the same repair needs.
The program will manage the construction process on your behalf; you will not receive any funds directly or conduct business directly with the contractor.
As the homeowner you must adhere to the homeowner responsibilities outlined within your grant agreement. Homeowner responsibilities during construction include:
- Acknowledging the contractor’s right to access the property and home during construction.
- Removing all personal property, fixtures, and appliances as necessary to complete construction in a timely manner.
- Agreeing to release the contractor from liability for damages for disposing of any remaining personal property, fixtures, and appliances in the areas subject to repair and/or rehabilitation.
- Maintaining compliance with program safety protocols
- This may include refraining from being on site during periods of construction work. Any such periods of time will be determined by the general contractor and construction manager, and discussed with you, the homeowner.
- Providing notice of defects within thirty (30) days of discovery.
- Providing permission to the contractor to secure doors, change locks, temporarily partition areas and/or rooms of the home, or otherwise limit access in the home for areas and/or rooms under construction.
- Providing permission for the construction manager, the general contractor, and the program inspector to take photos and/or videos of construction progress.
You will be notified as construction progresses and required to review and sign inspection forms, as needed, and as outlined in your grant agreement.
If you have any questions during the construction process, please contact your construction liaison, who is your best point of contact regarding construction-related activities. Your case manager will also remain a resource for you during this time if you have any additional questions.
Proceed to Completion