When your home suffers damage from a fire, a storm, a burst pipe, or other unexpected disaster, the impact is more than structural. It’s also extremely emotional. From shock and disbelief at the onset of the disaster to joy once your home is rebuilt, you’ll be on an emotional rollercoaster that could last days or weeks.
But with a mitigation and restoration partner on your side, like Restorations by Highmark, the emotional rollercoaster can feel a little less emotional. Knowing what to expect during each stage of the journey can also lessen the impact and make the process more manageable.
Here are the five stages, from disaster through going back home, along with the emotions you may experience during each stage, and how Restorations by Highmark helps you through it.
1. Shock and Disbelief — When Disaster Strikes
At the first sign of a disaster, you’ll likely feel a sense of shock at seeing your home in this state. Whether it’s damaged from water or fire, your home has always been your safe haven, and losing it, even temporarily, can flood you with a ton of negative emotions.
What you may feel:
- Shock and disbelief at seeing your home damaged
- Concern for your family and belongings
- Apprehensive about what comes next
How Restorations by Highmark Helps
Our emergency response team will be on site within an hour if you live in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. We offer emergency water damage restoration and fire damage restoration services, depending on your situation. And we’ll be by your side every step of the way, from ensuring your family has a safe place to stay to securing your home.
2. Anxiety and Uncertainty — Navigating the Mitigation Phase
The first 24 hours are the most critical in any type of property damage situation. Standing water that is left longer than 24-48 hours can further weaken your home’s structure and invite mold growth. During the mitigation process, drywall may be removed, carpeting will be lifted, and loud equipment will be used to extract the water and then dry and dehumidify the affected spaces.
What you may feel:
- Worry over hidden issues like mold or structural damage
- Anxiety as you watch your home get dismantled
- Stress over your upcoming insurance claim
How Restorations by Highmark Helps
Our team goes to work quickly by removing all damaged materials and starting the drying process. Once we thoroughly dry all areas that were damaged by water, we’ll treat them to prevent mold growth. If the damage resulted from a fire, we’ll remove damaged materials and backspray the remaining affected areas to prevent any smell of smoke.
3. Frustration and Impatience — The Planning Stage
This is the longest but also one of the most important phases. Proper planning here can speed up timelines, make the next phase go smoothly, and get your home rebuilt the way you want it.
What you may feel:
- Frustration dealing with the insurance claim process
- Impatience waiting for the rebuild to begin
- Uncertainty as you make selections for your home
How Restorations by Highmark Helps
A few days after the disaster, our estimator will walk through your home to create a scope and cost breakdown of the damage for insurance purposes. We’ll also conduct a Matterport scan of your home to ensure everything is captured correctly in your claim. During this time, you’ll meet with our interior designer to select replacement items—such as carpeting, cabinetry, and lighting—so we have them on hand when the rebuild begins.
4. Hope and Relief — The Rebuild Stage
As new walls go up, new finishes are put in place, and a fresh coat of paint is applied, your house is starting to look like home. Your emotional rollercoaster is finally coming to an end, and you’re just days away from sleeping in your own bedroom again.
What you may feel:
- Relief at the visible signs of progress
- Hope as you and your family discuss going home
- Optimism about the future
How Restorations by Highmark Helps
From mitigation through restoration, all phases are handled in-house by Restorations by Highmark, which can help shorten timelines and uphold our unwavering commitment to high-quality craftsmanship. Our residential restoration team works in concert with your interior designer to bring your space back to life.
5. Joy — Welcome Home
Stepping back into your home after a natural disaster can trigger a mixed bag of emotions. Some of your personal belongings may have been destroyed, but there’s nothing quite like coming home. You and your family can feel confident that your home was restored with the finest products and craftsmanship available.
What you may feel:
- Joy as you step back into your restored home
- Excitement for new products and finishes
- Gratitude for the support received during tough times
Reclaim Your Peace of Mind
At Restorations by Highmark, we don’t just repair—we restore your sense of home. We’ll be there to move you quickly yet efficiently through all the emotional stages, from devastation to the joy of going back home. Contact us if you live in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area. We’re available 24/7 and can be at your home within an hour. We’re ready when disaster strikes.
24/7 Emergency Mitigation Service
Whether it’s a home fire, burst pipe, or storm damage, call our team right away. We’ll act quickly to mitigate the damage.
