Go to Working With Contractors
GENERAL CLEAN-UP
Flood Recovery Checklist – Homeowners/Renters/BusinessNDSU Extension offers brief instructions on first things first, general cleanup, cleaning household items, dealing with stress, making sure water is safe, recovering gardens and landscapes, and much more.
How to Clean a Flooded HomeNDSU Extension Engineer Ken Hellevang shares information on how to clean a flooded home. You can download the presentation in PDF or view it with narration in five (5) sections on YouTube.
Recovering from DisasterFEMA offers a good overview on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal.
Repairing Your Flooded HomeThis book by the Red Cross gives step-by-step advice you can use to clean up, rebuild, and get help after a flood.
Flood Clean-up and the Air in Your HomeStorybook style booklet from the Environmental Protection Agency that explains how to clean up after a flood and how to prevent indoor air problems. A nice resource to help children better understand post-flood clean-up. Document Restoration – Saving Family Treasures Guidelines
Multiple resources from the National Archives for the care of the more common materials to be affected by a natural disaster. Information on Cleaning
There are a variety of resources on cleaning your personal property and homes.
General
- Flood Clean-Up Fact Sheet – Occupational Safety & Health Administration
- Cleaning & Disinfecting Your Home After a Flood – NDSU Extension
Structural
- How to Make Temporary Structural Repairs – NDSU Extension
- Repairing Leaky Roofs – NDSU Extension
- Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings – Environmental Protection Agency
- Restoring Heating Systems after a Flood – NDSU Extension
- Cleaning Flooded Floors and Woodwork – NDSU Extension
- Cleaning Flood Damaged Carpet and Rugs – NDSU Extension
Household Items
- How to Salvage Household Items – U.S. Fire Administration
- Disinfecting Dishes, Cookware and Utensils – NDSU Extension
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Textiles – NDSU Extension
- Flood Soaked Bedding Sanitation – NDSU Extension
Septic & Well Systems
- Caring for Your Septic System – NDSU Extension
- Flooded Private Sewage Systems – NDSU Extension
- Cleaning Sewage Backup – NDSU Extension
- Cleaning Flooded Wells – NDSU Extension
Repair and improvement scams are common after a disaster occurs. Unlicensed and unqualified out-of-state contractors can take advantage of a homeowner who just wanted to get their life back on track. Protect yourself when choosing and working with contractors by using these few easy resources.
Check if a contractor is licensed to do business in North Dakota.
ND Secretary of State Contractor Inquiry
Information about Contractors
- Common Disaster Scams – ND Attorney General.
- Choosing a Contractor Fact Sheet – ND Attorney General
- Hiring Contractors After A Disaster/Worksheet – Iowa Extension
- Check if a transient merchant – a non-local business or one who has just set up an office – is licensed by contacting the ND Attorney General at 701-328-2329.
- File a complaint against a contractor, with the ND Attorney General Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-472-2600.
- If hiring a public adjustor to assist with your claim, make sure that the adjustor is licensed as an insurance consultant with the ND Insurance Department at 1-800-247-0560.
Remember
- All contracts between with a contractor should be in writing.
- No contract should be signed before the damage is adjusted by your insurance company or public adjustor. Consumers should consider getting a second estimate if the contractor’s estimate for repairs seems excessive and is inconsistent with the adjustor’s.
- Be wary of any contractor who requires full payment for the repairs in advance.
