SUFFOLK
T.J. Moore didn't want to sound greedy, but on Thursday afternoon he was nothing if not honest.
He and his wife, Michele, sat in camping chairs within sight of the police road block to Hillpoint Farms, the neighborhood that suffered the worst damage in Monday's tornado.
Two trailers and a front-end loader - courtes y of the Moores' company, Hampton Hauling Inc. - sat nearby. The Moores couldn't get started until a home-owner brought them in.
"I'm salivating because I know there's a lot of money to be made in there," Moore said. "There's money to be made without gouging anybody."
Indeed, as it does after any natural disaster, the money-making began Thursday as the cleanup began in earnest in Suffolk. Cleaners, tree-cutters and contractors poured into Hillpoint Farms and Burnetts Mill, seizing the opportunity in a slumping economy while helping homeowners begin the heavy work of recovery.
In Burnetts Mill, a broken piece of privacy fence bore a spray-painted solicitation for debris removal. On the road to Hillpoint Farms, a boulevard contained hand-planted signs for nine different companies. The services ranged from plastering and roofing to demolition and insurance. Some of the signs aren't supposed to be where they're planted, but the police department isn't worrying about them just yet.
"These guys sitting up on the main road are all from out of state," Moore said. "Storm chasers."
No matter where they came from, each had to submit to strict admission policy at the two neighborhoods with the most work. The police required contractors to have a job lined up before they entered Hillpoint Farms or Burnetts Mill, and the homeowner who requested the work had to escort the workers in each time they came.
Some found the restrictions onerous.
Stephen Elgin's restoration business had six jobs in Hillpoint Farms and two in Burnetts Mill. On Thursday morning his company had to call one homeowner five times to get in.
"Every time I go between the two, I've got to bother one of the owners," Elgin said.
He and other contractors said they would prefer a little more freedom, but they understood the desire to keep out less scrupulous opportunists.
A police officer at one roadblock said the restrictions were proving successful.
"The citizens and contractors have been completely cooperative," Sgt. Fred Cunningham said. "We had some issues with Isabel. We didn't want to see that again," he said of the 2003 hurricane.
Deep inside Hillpoint Farms, streets buzzed to life with Navy and church volunteers, insurance adjusters, paid construction workers and homeowners themselves.
The beep-beep-beeps of heavy machinery in reverse overlapped in the neighborhood. Clouds of dust billowed into a street from a pile of disturbed rubble.
Beyond the noise and heavy lifting, invisible rates began to churn.
Tree work with a crane: $150 an hour. A load of 15 cubic yards of debris: $250. A square foot of paint: 59 cents.
For many, the demand is a welcome respite from a sluggish economy.
Elgin said he hired five workers this week to meet the demand.
"And I'll probably hire another five before it's all over with," he said.
Workers with Williamsburg-based Caran Corp. spent Thursday reframing a Hillpoint Farms home. Director of Operations Daniel Farris described the renovation and homebuilding business as only "moderately busy" before this week.
Now, the company has enough work to keep it in Suffolk for at least six months, Farris said.
Chris Colburn, chairman of Old Dominion's Economics Department, said companies might be reacting even faster in Suffolk than they normally would after a disaster, given the disruption in the housing market.
And that could be a good thing for
homeowners.
"All those people who are coming in, there might be a chance for people to hear different prices, different options," Colburn said.
Meanwhile, T.J. Moore, the hauler from Hampton waiting outside Hillpoint Farms, wasn't in yet, but he hoped to be soon.
"We're just trying to get our foot in the door," he said.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
Hattie Brown Garrow, (757) 222-5562, hattie.brown@pilotonline.com
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Actually Maynard...
I'm serving overseas so your sorry butt can make all encompassing statements about people you don't even know...
Try getting out more
You may spend spend all day typing your foolish opinions onto message boards, but many of us were out today helping Suffolk residents dig out and didn't charge them a dime.
As near as I can tell, most Suffolk residents are not "sitting and waiting for help to arrive." It's already there.
Neighbors are helping neighbors while "compassionate conservatives" sit at the keyboard and offer high school economic theory.
Get off your butt and help or shut the .... up.
Hear Ye Hear Ye...
It seems that some people would rather sit and wait for the "good will" of people to fix up their house, keep their food fresh, and their yards clean. Well, While you wait on the good will, I'll pay someone to do the things I can't THis way, those in TRUE need can get the services of those willing to donate their time. There is nothing wrong with charging money for services. I would rather have 2000 Semi's loaded with food, gear, and water at nominal prices then have to wait on the red cross or FEMA to deliver 200 half packed U-Hauls. I don't care how the goods and services get here nor do I care about the motivation. Being a Christian I would be willing buy a $10 bag of Ice from a Satan Worshiper to keep the food fresh for my family then wait 2 weeks for the Good Will people to make it to my house. And while I'm a Christian, I would buy 2 bags from that guy and give one to the church so they can help those in need...
What's the big deal?
None of these homeowners are being required to hire people to haul their stuff out. If you want their services, you pay money. If you don't want their services, you don't pay money.
As always
Vultures circle any disaster waiting to feed...
they didn't say prices were raised
They never said they were going to charge more than usual. In fact, I saw a line that mentioned they can make money "without gouging". I'm sure some people are in a position to donate their services but some are not, especially with all the contractors who have basically gone out of business due to the housing market toppling. Though the victims of the tornado need help, they aren't the only ones going through hard times. Let these people make their living.
Tell ya what, Citizen...
If there is ever a widespread disaster here, I'll rely on the free market to provide for my needs and you can put your trust in FEMA.
Businesses have to make money too!
With the economy the way it is now, these businesses need the money just as much as the victims do. It was an unfortunate incident in Suffolk and it could have EASILY happened in any other area of Hampton Roads. So these businesses should be looked down upon because they are charging the residents to get their house rebuilt again? When it boils down too it, it's a business transaction. The homeowner needs their house fixed, and the businesses are able to fix their house. Point blank. Now the business who overcharge should be the ones that need to be shut down. There is a difference between making money and taking advantage of the situation to make money.
Other than, 'Thank God they'll never hold public office'
What can you say about idiots who would justify taking advantage of people struck by tragedy with a lecture on supply and demand?
If you can't help people trapped in this sort of situation without trying to cheat them, stay home.
Which would you rather have in an emergency?
A $10 bag of ice now, or a $6 bag in three days when all your food has spoiled?
The high prices people are able to charge in the wake of an emergency are what brings resources to the area of the emergency.
And, with ice selling at $10 a bag, freezer trucks of ice from distant places will soon flood the area with a supply exceeding the demand, driving the price back down. You only pay $10 a bag if you are one of the first to demand it. Those who do so will be those who are most able to pay the higher price.
If, on the other hand, you forbid "ice gouging" by law, you will have an ice shortage that will persist for weeks. Let the market do its job, in the end, it will do so with greater efficiency and fairness than government could ever hope to equal.
Tornado Recovery Greed
Plenty of folks out there are DONATING their time and resources to get this situation cleaned up. Pure selfishness on the part of those who seek to make major bucks. May it come back to haunt them someday.
Although not as devastating
Although not as devastating as this after our neighborhood went through Hurricane Isabel together where we had hundreds of trees down blocking driveways, roads and on houses and no power for weeks, we "bonded" with many of our neighbors and those bonds are still strong today and will always remain. It is a very positive thing that comes out of a disaster.
$10.00 bags of ice?
What's wrong with that? People still don't understand Economy 101, supply and demand. If you have high demand and limited supply, you should be able to charge whatever you want for your product. Of course YOU have the right not to buy it. Just like gasoline today, limited supply-huge demand (but it's the oil companys' fault?).
I went through Isabel and I don't remember markups on anything. Yes I waited for gas and when I found ice it was the usual cost. I think the media blows this out of proportion. Yes, I'm sure there are individuals trying to sell $1500 chainsaws, but I bet it's one or two individuals the media focuses on over a huge area.
What I found disgusting was the individuals trying to return used chainsaws and generators after they didn't need them.
Good Idea
The police have the right idea! Too many greedy people out there. When Hurricane Isabel hit, they (contractors) were coming out of the wood works! Very high prices for repair work and lets not forget the $10.00 bag's of ice!! I hope the contractors are being fair to those affected by the tornadoes. They are already going though enough. Good luck Suffolk!!!