In the first two days after Sandy's devastating blow on Oct. 29, 2012, several of the region's largest general contractors began a massive mobilization effort throughout the areas hit the hardest. Through the newly formed New York City Rapid Repairs program, 10 GCs sent teams of subcontractors to homes; talked with owners, renters and other storm victims; and figured out how, if and when they could restore power, heat and hot water so displaced victims who had been through a nightmare could return home.
But what the 10 didn't know then but have learned since is that the initial storm response may have been the easy part.