It’s been more than eight months since Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina. However, as the Asheville Citizen-Times recently reported, homeowners like Arden resident Kelly Minear are still waiting for their homes—and their lives—to be made whole again.
For Minear, the path to recovery has been anything but straightforward. Her 1955 ranch-style home was severely damaged when a massive white oak came crashing through the roof, dropping her home’s value by 80% overnight. Like many in the region, she spent months untangling insurance claims and fielding inflated bids from out-of-town contractors.
Fortunately, help arrived in the form of Scroggs Construction Services. A reputable member of the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM), Scroggs took over the project and is now close to restoring Minear’s childhood home to its former charm.
Sadly, not every homeowner has found that kind of support. Across Western North Carolina, thousands are still in limbo. Here’s why.
1. The Damage Was Widespread
FEMA reported damage to more than 12,000 homes across Buncombe County. But only a fraction of homeowners had federal flood insurance. That lack of coverage left many scrambling to fund repairs out-of-pocket.
2. Insurance Payouts Lag Behind
Even those with insurance have often faced delays, lowball offers, and frustrating negotiations.
“Probably 30% or more of the people we started talking with at the beginning, when the storm happened, still don’t have resolution from their insurance,” said Nick Scroggs of Scroggs Construction Services, this year’s BABRM president.
And even after receiving a payout, challenges abound.
“The problem is negotiating with them after. You basically have to justify any additional costs that were not in their original estimate,” Scroggs said.
3. Bad Actors Are Taking Advantage
In the wake of disasters like Helene, it’s common to see a wave of unlicensed or unqualified contractors hoping to profit off chaos.
“It’s a pattern we’ve seen play out time and time again after natural disasters. People arrive under the guise of help, take the money, and vanish. Our community is now facing the same challenge,” said Megan Carroll, Executive Officer of BABRM.
Minear, the Arden resident whose home was damaged, knows this all too well. Shortly after the storm, an out-of-town contractor showed up with a sky-high bid and pressured her to sign a contract. But something “just didn’t feel right,” so she went with a local contractor instead.
Trust Is the Foundation of Every Rebuild
At BABRM, we believe the path to recovery starts with connection—connecting homeowners with vetted, reputable, and local builders who are committed to quality and transparency.
We urge homeowners to:
- Verify licenses and credentials
- Avoid door-to-door offers or pressure tactics
- Get multiple estimates and check references
- Work with professionals who are active in their local industry organizations
BABRM exists to elevate the building profession and protect WNC residents. From contractors and remodelers to tradespeople and suppliers, our members are your neighbors. They live here, build here, and take pride in helping their communities get back on their feet.
Still Rebuilding? We’re Here to Help.
If you or someone you know is struggling to find a trustworthy contractor post-Helene, don’t go it alone. BABRM’s directory is a great place to start. You’ll find licensed, insured professionals who are committed to honest work and long-term relationships.
Let’s rebuild WNC the right way—together. Find a BABRM member contractor today.
Want to read the full Asheville Citizen-Times story? Subscribers can find the article here
