Disaster Information

The HBAA's Disaster Resource Center was established after the most damaging hurricane season in U.S. history. We recognize that rebuilding areas affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters will take many months and perhaps years.

There is a wealth of information for both consumers as well as builders about how to prepare for disasters, steps to recovery, and other resources. This section of our website is devoted to providing that information in order to make the rebuilding and recovery process less cumbersome.

Consumer Information
How to Choose a Builder
How to Prevent Home Repair Fraud
Disaster Articles
Be Ready Alabama

Downloads
When Disaster Strikes, Be Ready (PDF)
Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your Home (PDF)

Several states have a reciprocity agreement with Alabama, which allows trades people from other states to work in Alabama without having to re-test for that particular trade, although they must still apply for the license and pay the appropriate license fee. Although this does not relieve the responsibility of paying fees, it does allow them to speed up the process by bypassing the testing requirements for the specific trade. (The testing requirement is waived because the boards have determined that the testing requirement of their home state is comparable to that of Alabama.)

The list of regulatory boards with reciprocal agreements is below. NOTE: Currently there is limited reciprocity with the state of Florida. For that reason, Florida does not appear on the matrix. Specific questions from individuals should be directed to the appropriate trade board.

Regulatory Boards

Home Builders Licensure Board
(334) 242-2230
www.hblb.state.al.us

General Contractors Board
(334) 272-5030
www.genconbd.state.al.us/Default.htm

Electrical Contractors Board
(334) 269-9990
www.aecb.state.al.us/board_staff.htm

HVAC Board
(866) 855-1912
www.hvacboard.state.al.us/

Plumbers & Gas Fitters Board
(205) 945-4857
www.pgfb.state.al.us/index.aspx

Onsite Wastewater Board
(334) 269-6800
www.aowb.state.al.us/

Links

The following are links to websites with further information about disaster preparation and recovery:

National Association of Home Builders
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=297

Disaster Contractors Network
www.dcnonline.org

PATH (Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing)
www.pathnet.org

Department of Energy's Disaster Recovery and Building Reconstruction
www.eere.energy.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
www.fema.gov