FEMA will likely reject your appeal unless you support it with a construction contractor's estimate.

FEMA prefers estimates from a contractor:

• (a) who physically inspected the property;
• (b) limited the estimate to damage caused by the disaster (i.e. part of a roof if the disaster did not damage the whole roof); and
• (c) is available to talk to FEMA.
  • You may not be able to find any contractor who is willing to give you such an estimate. If not, you should explain to FEMA in your appeal who you tried to contact and why you could not get an estimate, including whether you had the money to pay a contractor to write an estimate.