Nova Scotia Begins the Hard Task of Rebuilding

Muncy Homes

Superior Builders

Premier Builders

It could take years to rebuild homes destroyed by Nova Scotia wildfires.

The wildfires that devastated Nova Scotia in May and June of 2023 have left hundreds of families without homes. The rebuilding process is expected to be long and difficult, due to a number of factors.

The timeline for rebuilding a home depends on a number of factors, including the size, style, and location of the home. Justin Johnston, president of the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, says that initial structural assessments and environmental testing could take months to complete. Once this is done, it could take up to three years to rebuild the home, due to existing backlogs in Nova Scotia’s construction industry.

The construction industry in Nova Scotia is already facing a backlog of projects, due to supply chain issues and skilled labour shortages. Duncan Williams, president of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, says that these factors will “continue to have an impact” as people look to rebuild their homes.

The province has said that modular homes could be a temporary housing solution for the thousands of people displaced by the wildfires. Modular homes, also known as prefabricated homes, are built in factories and delivered via trucks. The province has not yet announced where the temporary homes will be located, but Housing Minister John Lohr says that the government is “looking into logistics” as the homes will need to be hooked up to water and sewage systems.

Justin Johnston says that the modular home industry has limited capacity, with only a few companies specializing in that type of home in the Halifax region. “They’re busy as it stands,” he said, “the resources are limited. So it could be an option, but it could take some time.”