If you are elevating your home...do your homework and use a reputable house raiser.

For anyone who is seriously contemplating elevating their home to come into compliance with FEMA's new Base Flood Elevation maps it is recommended that you:

• Update elevation certificate: Know your home's current elevation.

• Check FEMA map and call insurance agent: Know where your home's current elevation is in relation to the new FEMA maps. Understand how this might affect future flood insurance premiums.

• Consult an architect or engineer: Have an expert look at your home's foundation and structure to determine considerations for the house-lifting process.

• Call a general contractor and house-lifting company: Using a contractor will help to help navigate permitting, utility lines work and pre/post-elevation work. Make sure you check the house-lifting contractor's insurance certification.

Recently there have been two instances of houses being destroyed in New Jersey while they were undergoing a lifting process to come into compliance with new FEMA flod maops and BFE's.

A little homework on your part now can save you a nightmare later.

A house that was being jacked up at 3 Kansas Road in Little Egg Harbor Township collapsed during a "lifting" process to elevate the home..

Two homes in Monmouth County were destroyed when one home slid off its foundation and into another while in the process of being elevated.