Three things you might not have realized about the aftermath of such a storm.
1. The carpenters, plumbers and electricians have no time to give you an appointment, as they are already solidly overbooked.
2. They can name any price they want and you will pay it, [if wondering why, see #1].
3. Supplies are in short supply, due to demand.
This was brought home to me yesterday in speaking to people still dealing with the aftermath of Sandy. They feel they are long not out-of-the-woods.