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Once the Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) can confirm the following steps are completed, you will be able to accept your grant award and move on to the construction or repair phase of your project.
Before you can build
Before construction begins on your home, there are a few important steps to take. As part of your responsibilities as the homeowner, you will need to finalize your contractor and understand what is covered by HARP. You will also make key decisions about your home's design and materials. It is crucial to stay involved in the process and work closely with your contractor and construction advisor (CA) to make sure everything is in place before the building starts.
Initial inspections
After a CA is assigned to you, they will contact you to arrange the following initial inspections:
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Damage Verification: ReOregon will assess the damage you reported to verify that your claim is valid and related to the 2020 Labor Day Disasters. This inspection can be done in person or remotely.
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Scope of Work: Your CA will talk with you about the extent of your property damage, what repairs are done, and what remains to be finished. They will also take photos and measurements of your home. During the scope of work inspection, the CA will complete an environmental site inspection, during which they will identify property features that may affect the scope of work. During this inspection, your CA will create two important reports:
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Work in Place (WIP), which verifies the work the homeowner has already done on the property before applying to HARP.
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Estimated Cost of Repair (ECR), which lists all outstanding repairs yet to be done and how much they will cost.
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Environmental Inspection: If hazards such as asbestos, lead-based paint, or radon are found in your home, your contractor and environmental professionals will recommend a way to address them.
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Housing Quality Standards Inspection: The CA may conduct this inspection to verify the state of the structure.
After an inspection, the CA will upload their findings, and your assigned case manager will notify you of the results and next steps.
Pre-Construction Meeting
Your contractor will organize a pre-construction meeting with you and a CA before you execute your grant agreement with the program. During this meeting, you can discuss recommended repairs with your contractor and CA. Before the meeting, you will have a chance to review the scope of work with your contractor.
You can always contact your case manager if there is anything in the scope of work you do not agree with or understand. It is important to note that the scope of work should not be amended after the construction agreement is executed in the Pre-Construction Meeting. Therefore, any questions or concerns about the scope of work should be addressed before or during the Pre-Construction Meeting.
During your home’s construction
As your home is being built or repaired, it is important to understand that different types of projects have specific milestones that need to be met. Whether it is a full rebuild, manufactured home replacement, or repairs, each phase of construction follows its own timeline. Staying in touch with your contractor and CA will help make sure that everything stays on track and that you are prepared for inspections and approvals at each stage.
If you are
repairing your home, your contractor/vendor has 180 days to complete your project.
If you are
replacing your home, your contractor has 14 days to obtain permits, and your contractor/vendor has 360 days to complete your project.
Mid-project inspections
At certain project milestones, contractors will request payment by submitting a
draw request to HARP. Next, your CA will schedule a time to meet with you and your contractor or vendor to inspect your property. This is called a
draw inspection.
You and your contractor must attend these inspections so your CA can confirm:
- Work performed in an appropriate manner
- Adherence to construction standards and other requirements
- General skill
- Site upkeep
- Safety/livability of the property
If the work is satisfactory, you can sign the paperwork authorizing HARP to release the payment directly to
the contractor or vendor, meaning you will not receive the money yourself.
More details about draw requests and inspections are available in the contractors section of this site.
After your home’s construction
After construction, it is time for a final walk-through followed by a final inspection.
Final Walk-Through: To verify that all work has been completed, you and the contractor should conduct one last walk-through to address any last-minute repairs and “punch list" items that may need to be completed.
Final Inspection: The contractor should have all permits closed out and a Certificate of Occupancy before requesting that the program conduct its final inspection. The contractor will need to submit the Certificate of Occupancy to the program during the final inspection request.
Post-construction survey
After your project is completed, HARP will provide you with a survey to gauge your satisfaction with your contractor and your overall experience.
Warranty binder
Your contractor will provide you with a reference binder containing all warranties related to your project. General terms follow.
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Reconstruction
- One-year fit and finish
- Three-year mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
- 10-year structural
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Rehabilitation (for property components addressed in program scope)
- One-year fit and finish
- Two-year mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
- Two-year structural
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Manufactured home replacement
- One-year fit and finish
- Two-year mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
- Two-year structural
Selecting fixtures and finishes
When you choose fixtures and finishes for your home, it is important to remember that the program has limits to ensure fairness and help as many people as possible. HARP provides standard options that are durable and cost-effective, making sure everyone gets the same quality while staying within the available budget. By sticking to these selections, we can stretch the funds to help more families rebuild their homes. If you want to upgrade beyond the standard choices, you will be responsible for the extra costs.
What HARP covers
HARP covers the basic costs needed to repair, rebuild, or replace your home to make it safe, livable, and up to code. This includes standard materials, labor, and essential fixtures like flooring, countertops, and basic appliances. However, the program has set limits on what it will pay for, making sure funds can help as many homeowners as possible. HARP is here to get your home back to a livable condition while making sure resources are shared fairly.