Build SOS

10/14/2026

Hiring a contractor after a storm isn't just about who can start first—it's about choosing someone you can trust.

A qualified contractor should be transparent, experienced, and willing to answer your questions. Taking a few minutes to verify credentials today can help you avoid costly problems tomorrow.

At BuildSOS, we believe informed homeowners make confident decisions. Preparing for recovery starts with knowing what to look for.

10/13/2026

When a tornado changed everything, Kelly learned firsthand that preparedness starts long before the storm. 🌪️

Know your safe place. Have a go-bag ready. Protect important documents. Make a plan for your pets. And understand the risks where you live.

Kelly’s story is a powerful reminder: you may not get much warning—but you can be ready.

🎙️ Hear her story on the latest episode of Disaster Diaries.

10/12/2026

After a disaster, what you document is what you get paid for.
Most homeowners leave thousands of dollars on the table simply because they didn't know what to capture — or they cleaned up too fast.
Swipe through to learn exactly how to document your damages like a pro and give your insurance claim the best possible chance.

💪 BuildSOS is in your corner every step of the way.
👉 Visit BuildSOS.com for tools, resources, and vetted contractors who know the claims process inside and out.

10/09/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkWywtojfoo

Kelly and her husband Nick had been in their Chattanooga, Tennessee home for less than a year when an EF tornado tore through their neighborhood on Easter Sunday, April 2020 — with zero warning. No sirens. No alerts. Just a "nutty guy" who mentioned a storm coming and a weather app that said "chance of rain."

In this episode, Kelly walks Evan and Andy through a gripping, minute-by-minute account of the night, the week that followed, and how a superglued chicken became her symbol of resilience.

FULL YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkWywtojfoo

or LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts: Google Play or Apple Podcasts

Kelly and her husband Nick had been in their Chattanooga, Tennessee...

10/07/2026

Most homeowners have hundreds of photos on their phones—but very few have a complete record of their home.

By taking just 8 photos from around your house, you can create a detailed visual record that helps you stay organized and prepared. It's a simple step today that can make documenting your home much easier if you ever need repairs or file an insurance claim.

At BuildSOS, we believe preparation starts long before a storm arrives. Small actions today can make recovery much smoother tomorrow.

10/06/2026

We're teaming up with meteorology students at the College of DuPage to put on an in-person storm spotter course in November! Here are the details:

https://www.weather.gov/lot/seminar

10/06/2026

🌪️ What happens when a tornado hits before you even have time to prepare?

Kelly shares the incredible story of the tornado that tore through her neighborhood—and the lessons that completely changed how she prepares for disasters today.

From protecting pets and important documents to knowing where to shelter and what to have ready, her story is a powerful reminder that you may not get much warning—but you can be ready.

🎙️ Hear Kelly’s full story on the latest episode of Disaster Diaries coming out Friday!

10/01/2026

Building stronger communities starts with bringing the right people to the table.

BuildSOS was proud to have director, Damon Sotomayor represent our mission at AVANCE Global 2026 in Las Vegas, connecting with construction professionals, industry leaders and partners around the importance of preparedness, resilience and stronger disaster response.

AVANCE gave us an opportunity to share the BuildSOS mission, strengthen relationships across the construction industry and continue the conversation about how contractors can play a critical role before, during and after disaster strikes.

A big thank you to the (NHCA) and everyone who helped make these conversations possible.

10/01/2026

Smart Home America President and CEO Julie Shiyou-Woodard joined insurance and policy leaders for a panel on the industry's response to wildfire and storm risk at the 2026 SITA Annual Conference in Seattle, moderated by Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer.

10/01/2026

When everything is gone, what matters most becomes remarkably clear. ❤️

In this episode of Disaster Diaries, Ron shares the story of losing his home to a devastating fire—and the unexpected perspective he gained from it.

🔥 Document your home before disaster strikes.
🐾 People and pets come first.
❤️ Build memories, not just possessions.

A powerful story of loss, preparedness, and starting over.