Raise Home

Raising a home on pilings can reduce property damage. How high you should raise your home depends on local building codes. It can cost anywhere between $40,000 and $120,000. 

Raising a home can also reduce insurance premiums. For example raising a single-family home worth $210,000 in value and contents by 2-ft reduces premiums by about $750 per year.  Each additional 1-2 feet above this saves another $60. You save even more if your home is at high risk for flooding. Contact FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program for more information.

Text source: FEMA | Photo source: Marilee Caliendo, FEMA

Materials

Flood-resistant building materials can reduce damage and clean up costs. Contact local officials or contractors for details. 

Click here to download FEMA’s guide on building with flood damage resistant materials.

Text source: FEMA | Photo source: Rosanna Arias, FEMA

Flood Vents

Flood vents relieve pressure from outside flood water on foundation walls. Installing flood openings can reduce damage and clean up costs by allowing water to enter and exit easily. Your insurance representative can tell you about possible savings.

Text source: FEMA | Photo source: Rosanna Arias, FEMA

Flood Insurance

Insurance purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program can help you recover from a flood. For a 2-story home in a high-risk area, insurance costs about $900 a year with a basement and $1000 without.

The cost of flood insurance may go up if flood risk increases in the future.

Text source: FEMA

Move

Consider moving to higher ground in your community or to a new location with lower flood risk.
N.J. has a program to buy out homes in places at risk for coastal flooding. Contact FEMA to see if you are eligible.

Text source: FEMA | Photo source: Robert Kaufman, FEMA