The First Week After Your Drying Equipment Leaves: A Columbus, GA Guide
The leak is fixed and the structure is dry, but the walls are open. Here is what to do in the first week before reconstruction starts.
When the drying company picks up its fans and equipment, the house gets quiet, and a lot of Columbus homeowners aren't sure what to do next. The leak is fixed and the structure is dry, but walls are open and floors are bare. This short checklist covers the first week between drying and reconstruction.
1. Get your paperwork together
Ask the drying company for its final documentation: moisture readings, photos, a list of what was removed and the dry-out sign-off. Keep the plumber's invoice too. Your reconstruction contractor will use all of it to make sure the rebuild matches what came out.
2. Save your carrier's estimate and letters
If you filed a claim, keep every estimate and letter your carrier sends in one folder. Share them with your contractor as soon as they arrive. The reconstruction scope is built to the carrier's approved estimate.
3. Take your own photos
Walk each room and take photos of the open walls, removed flooring and anything else that was pulled out. Photos of the rooms before the leak are helpful too, especially for matching flooring, trim and paint colors.
4. Keep the area clean and closed off
Open wall cavities collect dust. Keep doors to the affected rooms closed when you can, keep pets and kids out, and avoid storing items against bare framing.
5. Save leftover materials
Extra flooring planks, tile, paint cans or trim pieces in the garage can help with matching. Let your contractor know what you have.
6. Schedule the reconstruction walkthrough
The sooner a contractor walks the home, the sooner a scope can be written and approved. Peridot Assist will measure every room, compare it to the carrier's estimate and document anything that needs to be added.
7. Start thinking about selections
If flooring, cabinets, countertops or fixtures need to be replaced, start looking at options. If you want to upgrade anything, mention it early so it can be priced on a separate change order.
What happens after that
Once the scope of work is approved, a project manager is assigned and we set up a meeting to go over the schedule and your selections. From there, the rebuild moves room by room: insulation and drywall, flooring, cabinets, trim, paint and final cleaning. You can follow progress any time through your client portal.
Rebuilding homes in Columbus
Peridot Assist works in Columbus and the surrounding Muscogee and Harris County area. If your drying equipment just left and you are ready to put your home back together, call the Peridot Assist office at (770) 284-5353 or email build@peridotassist.com.
More about our work in Columbus, GA →
Peridot Assist Construction & Design
Licensed Georgia General Contractor, GCCO008663
(770) 284-5353