What types of hurricane damage does a multifamily property typically sustain?

Multifamily properties hit by a hurricane commonly see roof damage, broken windows, water intrusion across multiple units, damaged pool and exterior structures, and mold risk that sets in within 24 to 48 hours. The scope is compounded by shared systems: one water breach can affect dozens of units at once.

How does a pre-loss plan help after a hurricane?

A pre-loss plan establishes a vendor relationship before any damage occurs. First Onsite teams familiarize themselves with your property, identify at-risk areas, and have a response protocol ready. When a storm hits, that preparation means crews mobilize faster and with more context than a cold call ever could.

How long does hurricane restoration take for a condo or multifamily complex?

Timeline depends on the severity of the storm, the extent of damage, and the scope of reconstruction needed. The Hurricane House restoration on Sanibel Island, two buildings and 15 units damaged by a Category 4 storm, was completed over 18 months. Smaller losses can be resolved in weeks.

What does a full-service restoration company handle after a hurricane?

A full-service provider like First Onsite manages the entire process: emergency board-up and site security, moisture mapping and demolition, water extraction and drying, mold prevention, reconstruction, and adjuster coordination. Working with a single vendor reduces delays and eliminates the need to manage multiple contractors.

When should a property manager contact a restoration company about hurricane season?

Before the season starts. Establishing a pre-loss partnership before any storm is on the radar means your restoration company already knows your property when it matters most. The Hurricane House property managers contacted First Onsite before Ian made landfall, and crews were on site as soon as access was restored.

Does First Onsite coordinate with insurance adjusters during hurricane restoration?

Yes. First Onsite works directly with your insurance adjusters and consultants throughout the restoration process, providing documentation, scope of work, and ongoing communication to support your claim and keep the project on track.

Does First Onsite serve multifamily properties beyond Florida?

Yes. First Onsite has 110 or more locations across North America. During large storm events, crews and resources are mobilized from across the network to meet demand in affected areas. The Hurricane House response drew on team members from multiple regions to meet the scope of the loss.

Multifamily Hurricane Restoration: Sanibel Island Case Study

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Sanibel Island as a Category 4 storm. What followed was one of the most destructive weather events in Florida history. For Hurricane House, a two-building, 15-unit multifamily property on Sanibel Island, the storm caused massive structural damage: roof failure, flooded units, a destroyed pool area, damaged pavers, and a demolished sales office.

What made the recovery different from thousands of others in Southwest Florida was a single phone call that happened before the storm arrived.

The relationship that made rapid response possible

First Onsite had been working with the Hurricane House property managers for years before Ian ever formed in the Atlantic. When storm forecasts turned serious, those managers did not scramble for a vendor list. They called First Onsite directly to confirm that if their property took a hit, First Onsite would be first on site.

That call changed everything. When Ian made landfall and access to Sanibel Island was restored, First Onsite crews were already mobilized. Demolition began immediately. Moisture mapping was underway within days.

This is what a pre-loss plan looks like in practice. Not paperwork, but a working relationship with a team that already knows your property before the call ever comes in.

“The important thing would be to have a relationship already in place before these events happen. Because once they happen, it’s a scramble to get anything done.”

— John Wardell, HOA President, Hurricane House

How First Onsite restored Hurricane House

The scope at Hurricane House was significant. Two buildings, 15 residential units, a sales office, pool area, pavers, and roof all required attention. First Onsite managed the full restoration in three phases.

Phase 1: Demolition and Moisture Mapping

Before reconstruction can begin, every affected surface has to be assessed and cleared. First Onsite crews performed selective demolition guided by moisture mapping, identifying water intrusion across walls, flooring, and structural elements. Nothing was assumed dry. Everything was verified.

Phase 2: Extraction, Drying, and Remediation

Water extraction and industrial drying equipment were deployed across affected units. The goal was to mitigate secondary damage, specifically mold, which can set in within 24 to 48 hours of water intrusion. Dehumidifiers, air movers, and air scrubbers ran continuously until moisture readings confirmed safe conditions.

Phase 3: Full Reconstruction

Once the structure was clean and dry, First Onsite’s construction team rebuilt from the inside out. Unit interiors were restored to pre-loss condition. The roof was repaired. The pool was completely refinished. The gated backyard area was expanded, and all-new pavers were installed throughout. The project finished with units that, in the words of the HOA president, looked practically brand new.

Having worked in the construction business and being an engineer, I can tell [First Onsite] knew what they were doing.”

— John Wardell, HOA President, Hurricane House

What full-service restoration means for a multifamily property

Multifamily hurricane recovery involves more complexity than a single-unit loss. You have multiple stakeholders, shared systems, tenant obligations, and an HOA or property management company coordinating everything. Adding a roster of separate vendors to that situation makes a hard job harder.

First Onsite managed Hurricane House as a single-source project. One point of contact. One scope of work. One team from demolition through the final walkthrough. That included direct coordination with insurance adjusters and consultants throughout the process.

For the Hurricane House board members, the communication stood out as much as the work itself. All three were impressed by the transparency, the competence of the team, and the consistency of updates throughout an 18-month project.

“We work hand in hand with your adjusters or consultants to make sure your property gets brought back to the same condition, if not better.”

— Michael Barlow, Operations Manager at First Onsite

Be ready before hurricane season starts

The property managers at Hurricane House had an established relationship with First Onsite before Ian ever made landfall. That single decision meant crews mobilized faster, response was coordinated, and the path to recovery started sooner than it would have for any cold call.

First Onsite’s partnership gives multifamily property owners, HOAs, and facility managers the same advantage. Before any storm, we learn your property, identify your vulnerabilities, build a response plan, and establish the point-of-contact relationship that makes everything faster when you need it most. Start the conversation today so you can be prepared for what tomorrow may bring.

Frequently asked questions

What types of hurricane damage does a multifamily property typically sustain?
Multifamily properties hit by a hurricane commonly see roof damage, broken windows, water intrusion across multiple units, damaged pool and exterior structures, and mold risk that sets in within 24 to 48 hours. The scope is compounded by shared systems: one water breach can affect dozens of units at once.
How does a restoration partner help me after a hurricane?
Having a restoration partner in place establishes a vendor relationship before any damage occurs. First Onsite teams familiarize themselves with your property, identify at-risk areas, and have a response protocol ready. When a storm hits, that preparation means crews mobilize faster and with more context than a cold call ever could.
How long does hurricane restoration take for a condo or multifamily complex?
Timeline depends on the severity of the storm, the extent of damage, and the scope of reconstruction needed. The Hurricane House restoration on Sanibel Island, two buildings and 15 units damaged by a Category 4 storm, was completed over 18 months. Smaller losses can be resolved in weeks.
What does a full-service restoration company handle after a hurricane?
A full-service provider like First Onsite manages the entire process: emergency board-up and site security, moisture mapping and demolition, water extraction and drying, mold prevention, reconstruction, and adjuster coordination. Working with a single vendor reduces delays and eliminates the need to manage multiple contractors.
When should a property manager contact a restoration company about hurricane season?
Before the season starts. Establishing a pre-loss partnership before any storm is on the radar means your restoration company already knows your property when it matters most. The Hurricane House property managers contacted First Onsite before Ian made landfall, and crews were on site as soon as access was restored.
Does First Onsite coordinate with insurance adjusters during hurricane restoration?
Yes. First Onsite works directly with your insurance adjusters and consultants throughout the restoration process, providing documentation, scope of work, and ongoing communication to support your claim and keep the project on track.
Does First Onsite serve multifamily properties beyond Florida?
Yes. First Onsite has 110+ locations across North America. During large storm events, crews and resources are mobilized from across the network to meet demand in affected areas. The Hurricane House response drew on team members from multiple regions to meet the scope of the loss.

Hurricane Ian: How A Sanibel Island Multifamily Property Went From Category 4 Devastation to Pre-Loss Condition