The Post Flood Rebuild: Making the Best of It

On September 7 and 8, 2011, a large area in Upstate New York was devastated by flood waters that reached approximately ten feet above flood levels, burying many areas in as much as nine feet of water.  Homes, business, schools, churches, and more were left in a mess of damage and debris.  Press and Sun Bulletin reported that people would be forced to boil drinking water and would face the smell of raw sewage, let loose by the flooded wastewater treatment plants. 

Many days later, homeowners are finally able to start considering where to begin the rebuild process.  Those with insurance and those who are able to receive federal funding will likely be in the market for furniture of all sorts, along with new furnaces, hot water heaters, and other appliances commonly stored in basements.

This makes a person stop to consider how a house can be completely refurnished on a rather tight budget.  With natural disasters occurring nearly every year in different parts of the country, the need to do so is very common.  Design experts suggest that a person make very detailed plans before shopping.  Some design elements, such as large hutches, accent tables, and home bars may need to be put on a back burner for a while, in order to ensure larger, more necessary items can be afforded.

Laying out an approximate budget for each room is a good start.  One this is done, the estimates can be broken down further until there is a value attached to each piece of furniture and each appliance needed.  Fortunately, many retailers today offer package deals, giving discounts when several pieces are bought all together.  For instance, discount bedroom sets are commonly found for a fraction of the price that would be paid if each piece was bought individually.  Also, washer and dryer combos can typically be found, and a few box stores will run deals to encourage the purchase of several appliances at once.

Though shopping on a limited budget may make it difficult, rebuilding after tragedy can be a great time to reinvent a space, and perhaps make it more inviting.  Smaller pieces can be found as time goes by and soon the house will begin to feel like home again.