The Reconstruction Process: Should You Hire a General Contractor or Handle It Yourself?
When the mitigation is done — the water is dried, the soot is cleaned, or the mold is gone — most homeowners breathe a sigh of relief. But what comes next is often the most misunderstood (and expensive) phase of a claim: the reconstruction. It’s where walls are rebuilt, flooring is replaced, painting begins — and insurance funds are released. This phase can make or break your entire restoration project.
Let’s walk through what the reconstruction process really looks like, and whether you should hire a general contractor (GC) or try to manage it yourself.
Step 1: Understanding What “Reconstruction” Really Means
Reconstruction isn’t just cosmetic. It’s the process of rebuilding all materials removed during mitigation — drywall, insulation, baseboards, flooring, trim, cabinetry, and even structural framing if needed.
After a loss, the restoration company (like Kingship Restoration Services) typically provides an Xactimate scope to show:
- What was removed (demo)
- What needs to be replaced (materials + labor)
- What’s covered by insurance (and what’s not)
This scope is your blueprint for rebuilding — and it’s crucial that every trade follows it accurately.
Step 2: What the GC Handles for You
A licensed General Contractor (GC) manages every aspect of reconstruction, including:
- Permitting and code compliance
- Scheduling all trades (framers, drywallers, painters, flooring installers, electricians, plumbers)
- Material procurement and delivery
- Insurance billing and documentation
- Final walkthroughs and warranty
In other words: You make design decisions — we handle the chaos.
At Kingship, our project managers coordinate everything from start to finish so your rebuild stays on schedule and within the approved insurance scope.
Step 3: What Happens If You Try to Handle It Yourself
DIY reconstruction seems cheaper — until you hit the first setback.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Hiring and vetting multiple subcontractors
- Getting permits and city inspections
- Coordinating schedules and verifying workmanship
- Paying out-of-pocket for overruns, errors, or delays
- Tracking insurance documentation for recoverable depreciation
And if one trade delays the next (like drywall before paint, or plumbing before patching), your entire project can stall for weeks.
We see homeowners try to save 10% and end up paying 30% more when something goes wrong.
Step 4: The Professional Reconstruction Workflow (How We Do It)
Here’s how Kingship handles reconstruction projects efficiently and transparently:
- Scope Review – Compare the insurance estimate with real-world costs.
- Material Selection – You choose finishes (paint, flooring, cabinets) within budget.
- Scheduling & Coordination – Our project manager sequences trades to minimize downtime.
- Permitting & Code Compliance – Ensures all rebuild work passes inspection.
- Quality Control & Walkthrough – We inspect every phase before moving to the next.
- Final Billing & Recoverable Depreciation – We submit completion docs to your carrier for the final payment release.
You get one point of contact, one schedule, one invoice — and zero headaches.
Step 5: What to Ask Before Choosing a GC
If you’re considering other contractors, here are essential questions:
- Are you licensed and insured in Arizona?
- Do you follow IICRC and local building codes?
- Can you work directly with my insurance adjuster or mortgage company?
- Will you provide a written warranty for your work?
- Do you have a dedicated project manager for my job?
If they hesitate on any of these — keep looking.
When Handling It Yourself Might Make Sense
There are a few cases where managing it yourself could work:
- Small cosmetic repairs (painting a single wall, replacing one cabinet)
- You’re an experienced builder or tradesperson
- The damage is not insurance-related
For full structural or insurance-based repairs, it’s always safer and faster to hire a licensed restoration GC.
Final Takeaway
Reconstruction after a loss isn’t just “fixing the house” — it’s rebuilding your life.
It requires planning, permits, trades coordination, insurance communication, and precise documentation.
So while you could handle it yourself…
Wouldn’t it be easier to let professionals handle the permits, schedules, and insurance while you get back to normal?
At Kingship Restoration Services, we’re licensed general contractors who specialize in insurance reconstruction — from mitigation to full rebuild.
- www.kingshipwaterremoval.com
- in**@*****************on.com
- (623)777-5896