Florida contractors face supply shortages of rebuild materials after Hurricanes Helene, Milton

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Published  December 16, 2024 10:01pm EST
FOX 13 News
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Contractors stuck in limbo over supply shortages

FOX 13's Evyn Moon reports on many families across the Tampa Bay area facing extended delays in returning to their homes after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as many wait for permits and others are stuck in limbo due to supply shortages.

TAMPA, Fla. - Many families across the Tampa Bay area are facing extended delays in returning to their homes after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with some waiting for permits and others stuck in limbo due to supply shortages. 

Contractors are struggling to secure essential materials like drywall, paint and framing supplies because of the demand. 

"We’re having to go to several different distributors and supply houses to get materials," Albert Jasuwan, the owner of JAS Builders, said. "The other day, we had to run to five different locations to get the nails that work with our equipment, and this weekend, we went to three different paint manufacturers around town."

READ: Lawmaker cautions homeowners against unpermitted work, drawing lessons learned from Hurricane Ian

The high demand for building materials has overwhelmed local stores. 

"Home Depot and Lowe’s are busy every single day," said Anthony Hinkley, a subcontractor on-site. "Drywall and other supplies are in high demand, and that’s causing a major issue." 

He believes that kitchen and bathroom materials will likely be the next shortage to hit.

"After the hurricanes hit, we knew drywall was going to be a mad rush," said Jasuwan. "It’s slowing down projects, but our clients are understanding — it’s beyond our control. Please be patient with anybody in this industry. We’re all under just as much stress as you are, and we want to get the job done for everybody." 

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