What a substantial improvement / substantial damage review requires you to submit

From the Town's "Modification or Repair of Structures Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas — Notice to Property Owners" packet. Required items: (1) completed Application for Substantial Damage/Substantial Improvement Review; (2) Estimated Cost of Repairs/Reconstruction/Improvements completed by a SC licensed residential or general contractor; (3) FEMA Elevation Certificate; (4) photos of the structure before and after the storm event to document damage, if applicable and available; (5) plans and specifications or a detailed scope of work, as applicable; (6) completed Owner Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Affidavit, notarized; (7) completed Contractor Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Affidavit, notarized. MARKET VALUE: "The Town will estimate the market value of your structure by using the tax assessment value of the structure (excluding land). Alternatively, you may submit a current appraisal completed by a SC licensed professional appraiser. The appraisal must exclude the value of the land. The appraisal must also list the Town as an intended user of the report. Other valuation methods for the structure may be considered as determined on a case-by-case basis." COST ESTIMATE: "must reflect the fair market cost of the work. If you received donated or discounted materials and labor, these items are required to be included in the estimate at their fair market values," and must be prepared and signed by a state licensed residential or general contractor. Contractor overhead and profit are a line item. WHAT COUNTS: all structural and non-structural elements — foundations/footings/pilings, slabs, bearing walls/tie beams/trusses, floors and ceilings, attached decks and porches, interior partition walls, exterior wall finishes including painting and decorative moldings, windows and doors, roofing, hardware; all interior finishing including tile/stone/carpet over sub-flooring, bathroom fixtures and finishes, wall finishes, kitchen/utility/bathroom cabinets, built-in bookcases and furniture; all utility and service equipment including HVAC, plumbing and electrical repair or reconstruction, light fixtures and ceiling fans, security systems, built-in kitchen appliances, central vacuum systems, and water heating/filtration/conditioning/recirculation systems; plus labor and other costs of removing or altering undamaged components to accommodate improvements or additions, and overhead and profit. CHANGING CONTRACTORS mid-project requires a revised cost estimate and new affidavits from the new contractor and the owner, and staff re-review of the whole project.