Don't Get BURNED -- TWICE!!: So. Calif. Homeowners Take HEED!!

I am a Native Californian. Matter of fact, I was born and reared in So. California, so I remember fires!

Although I relocated to the Pacific NW many years ago, I remember when I was young and lived in the San Fernando Valley, fires hit Malibu Canyon. The ocean inversion layer would blow the smoke down into the Valley at times, rather than blow it toward the ocean. I still remember huge, quarter-sized ash flakes waft down from the sky on several, different occasions.

Or, the smoke was so thick from the fires in the hillside areas that the Valley would seem choked with soot. The traffic signal lights were an eerie orange and teal color rather then the red and green because the smoke filter created an opaque film distorting the colors.

Now these fires . . . they're bad!!!

But please, let's use this forum to EDUCATE everyone on what will happen in the aftermath.

It's predicable.

The contractors will come in, and with them the price gauging, and shoddy work! People DESPERATE to get their homes rebuilt are the most vulnerable at this time.

I mention this because 20/20 or Dateline, I forget which, have aired programs recently about contractors who leave people high and dry.

These types of disaster bring out the best . . . and WORST in people.

Please contact anyone you can and let's spread the news that people who have lost their homes should be so careful now with whom they contract. They are vulnerable and they have lost so much. They are going to be easy targets for folks who are dishonest. When insurance money is paid out, I'm afraid there will be many folks who are emotional and upset, contracting with people who will take the money . . . and run! It happens! I just don't want people to get burned . . . again!!

I know that in this day and age of not knowing your neighbors, my unsolicited advice might sound odd. But, fires like this take out entire neighborhoods.

Why not get together with your neighbors -- is there an attorney in the house? -- get your insurance agents together, and invite some local new home builders. Get a new sub-division, rather then going through this individually.

I know in my area we have local, established developers who have done quality work, represent the communinity, and know how to take care of large projects in a minimal amount of time. They know the pricing, the sub-constractors, and to me, this would be a great way to rebuild.

Another story . . . years ago I was standing outside my home in Panorama City. I heard a "bang" and looked in the direction where it came from. Then I saw fire, and smoke. I immediately called 9-1-1 and the fire was put out without destroying the entire house.

Seems that the neighbor was painting, and hadn't ventilated the area properly. He plugged, or unplugged something, and that created a spark. The spark ignited the paint vapors in the air, and "bang" -- spontaneous combustion! FIRE!

He got insurance money to take care of the damage, hired a contractor, but after months and months went by he and his wife were still living in their cramped camper trailer. When asked why, he startd to cry. The contractor, who did half the work but got paid in full, left.

My neighbor was on fixed income, had damaged property, and nothing to fall back on.

This is my first natural disaster since I became to blog. But I think my idea is a good one, worthy of consideration.

Connect with your neighbors, and buy in bulk - just like we do at Cost Co. Hire a responsible, local developer, and handle this disastour collectively, rather then individually. Maybe doing it this way will save on insurance pay outs too! Better pricing when we buy in bulk, and a quality, new home builder might be able to get the best prices on supplies, material and labor.

For those folks that don't want to do this, they can opt out.

Only a thought!