[StBernard] damage assessment

[Westley Annis]

Charlie,

You need to get an estimate for repairing your home to its pre-Katrina
status from a contractor.  Compare this estimate to the pre-Katrina value of
the home.  As long as the estimate is not over 50% of the value, you can
bring it to Community Development to get your permits.

If the estimate comes in between 40% - 60% of the pre-Katrina value, it must
be a detailed estimate that shows materials and labor.  FEMA does not allow
the use of "free" labor to reduce the damage assessment.  In other words,
the labor costs are the same to FEMA whether you do the job yourself or you
hire a contractor to do the work for you.

Westley



-----Original Message-----


  The initial damage assessment of my house was 30% - 60%.   So as determine
if the structure was salvagable, or not, I hired an engineer from the list
of engineering firms provided by the parish.  The report (a copy of which
was given to Mr. Hunnicutt's office) states that the structure is sound, but
makes no mention of the % damage incurred.  How does one go about
determining the actual % damage that the parish has deemed the structure to
have received, as all I have seen is "30%-60%"? 
 I understand that home owners in NOLA haven't experienced any problems in
having the % damage assements reduced to below the 50% level.  How does one
rebut the % damage, if it is thought that the parish rating is incorrect,
and, too high? 
 
Thank You,
Charlie Fos