Home & remodeling show connects flood victims to contractors

WEST ALLIS, Wis. — It has been more than two months since historic flooding swept through southeastern Wisconsin.

People affected by the disaster are now focusing on repairing the damage.

This weekend, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) hosted its fall home improvement show at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center, which ironically flooded back in August, too.

More than 100 home improvement and remodeling experts attended.

This year’s fall show was an opportunity for homeowners who had flood damage to connect with contractors, like Lifetime Renovations, based out of Delafield.

Company owner Matt Anderson said remodeling a basement does not come cheap.

“For a homeowner, anywhere from $110,000 up to $250,000, depending on the size of the basement, the amenities,” said Anderson.

This is the company’s third year participating in NARI home improvement shows, but Anderson said this one has been challenging for many customers.

“Them not knowing what they have covered, if their insurance offers that coverage or not,” said Anderson. “So that’s been a challenge for the customers, and they have to vet that before they actually move forward with a remodeling experience.”

Floor Coverings International in Waukesha said it saw business increase by 50% after the floods.

“We went from sort of normal business at a very normal pace to just being overrun with the number of people that had tremendous amounts of damage,” said Design Associate Dann Smith.

He said installing new floors can cost up to $30,000, and that many flood victims have experienced this sticker shock.

“It’s not just the flooring; it’s the personal items that you see piled up at the end of the driveway that they’re just throwing out,” he said.

Smith said remodeling your home is supposed to be a positive experience, not a forced decision.

“These people are in a terrible spot. So, I try and understand, be compassionate, work through things, offer them solutions and choices that really work for them and for the house,” said Smith.

Anderson added that if you’re going to remodel, do it differently.

“Make sure that you have a battery backup, sump pump, maybe do a battery backup generator, something that will help for future issues,” said Anderson. “You don’t want to invest in your basement and have this happen again.”

Both Anderson and Smith said that throughout this experience, it’s been nice to help people get out of bad situations and make them feel at home again.

The next NARI Milwaukee Home and Remodeling Show is scheduled for Feb. 13-15 at the Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

The event will feature more than 150 home improvement and remodeling businesses.