One year ago Houston changed forever as 60 inches of rain flooded our highways and homes. None of us will ever forget driving into neighborhoods seeing piles of belonging and memories out on the curb to be hauled away as trash. Still a year after Hurricane Harvey hit, many homeowners are still in the process of rebuilding. Homeowners were faced with many decisions as the water receded. Should they renovate, tear down and rebuild, raise the foundation of their existing home, or move away from their home and community?

As we look back on this year, two of our flood victim clients started the rebuilding process right away. As we met with these clients soon after Harvey, we had to discuss the possibility of moving or completely demolishing their home and trying again. These very emotional conversations resulted in one client in Bellaire deciding to raise their home foundation and then do a complete renovation, while another client in Champions opted to leave the foundation as it was and renovate. Both of these homes took on enough water that the drywall had to be removed up to four feet. Although the homeowners knew there was a possibility that they would flood again, they both loved their home and location and community, and they didn’t want to give that up.

Champions Remodel

This home was only a year old when Harvey hit, so it was never an option to tear down and start again. The homeowners were able to move in with family as their year-long renovation took place. Some of the original finishes in the new home were poor quality, so the remodel has helped restore this home into something better than what they lost. Changes in the floorplan to enhance the flow of the home were small, but significant. The improvements included the creation of an opening from the dining room into the kitchen and the reconfiguration of the master bath . With these minor changes, as well as major upgrades in the finishes, this family couldn’t be happier to be back in their beautiful home.

Drywall removal and a large fan drying out this home were a common sight in flood victims’ homes. Check out the amazing transformation as this kitchen went from devastation to dreamy!

Bellaire Remodel

This home is still in the remodel process a year later because the clients opted to have the foundation raised before any interior renovation took place. The home was lifted four and a half feet through a process of digging and lifting, inches at a time, to ensure that floodwaters wouldn’t destroy their home again. This home renovation is a complete design and remodel including finishes and furnishings. The process has been emotional for the clients as they went from enjoying their beautiful home to living in a small apartment. The homeowners are very much anticipating the completion and move in date in October.

Homeowners opted to raise the foundation, which also meant the addition of a beautiful stone exterior finish.

Harvey was such an unprecedented event with so much loss that none of us knew how long it would take to rebuild or what challenges would come. Many businesses and storefronts and roads were back up and running quickly, but restoring homes has taken time. Floodwaters left so many Houstonians in need of rebuilding that the demand for materials and contractors skyrocketed. Even through the challenges, it has truly been a pleasure working with victims of Harvey and helping them restore their homes and their lives, as we have shared in the design and rebuilding process with them.