Our youngest son, http://www.pbase.com/image/50180597, has made great progress in his house. Though he and his wife have had to live in the upstairs, unflooded portion of the house they were able to be on the premises for repairs. They now have electrical wiring and walls downstairs. Floors are next.
When a house is flooded to a certain depth all of the electrical outlets and wiring have to be replaced. Some plumbing probably needs to be replaced and of course walls and floors have to be replaced along with applicances etc.
With a great demand for workmen in the Greater New Orleans area one gets "on a list". If you are fortunate to get an electrician or a plumber, the rarest of breeds, you treat them like royal guests and sometimes even offer them meals. We have figured there is one workman for every 100 people in our area and the list is a lonngg one.
Along with the shortage of people to do the work there is an ever-growing shortage of building materials and one also gets "on a list". Kitchen cabinets and countertops are now taking four months to arrive at one's house. Then, you are on a list for the people who will install them.
There are still people who have not gutted their homes yet so those of us who have a headstart on reconstruction feel more fortunate than many.