In May 2012, they began converting the bungalow to a 3,500-square-foot, 3-story, 2-family house. The idea was a place with the look of Cape Cod and the feel of Uncle Mike’s Seaside Inn and Spa for a small army of relatives, friends and neighbors. “This was Club Med,” he said.

In addition to the damage to the house, Mr. Pedano lost a $75,000 dump truck, a $65,000 track hoe and $40,000 in tools. Insurance will not cover any of the work on the outside of the house, like the $25,000 in patio work that was blown away, and his $250,000 in flood insurance will not cover all of his damage. “It’s going to be ugly for a while,” he said.

Sue Notte across the street came over, and they compared notes.

“They’re doing a great job on the big picture, but with all the little things every homeowner needs to do, we just don’t know,” she said. “My homeowner’s hasn’t been here. My structural engineer hasn’t been here yet. My FEMA hasn’t been here yet. I feel like we’re doing a little bit, but we’re not sure if we’re doing what we should be doing.”

They will know a lot more this week. The township, following Gov. Chris Christie’s lead, has encouraged residents to rebuild their homes and has said they will be allowed to rebuild within the same footprint, even if the house does not comply with local zoning provisions. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency is releasing updated flood elevation maps that, especially for property owners near the beach, could mean some combination of higher flood insurance premiums, lower insurance coverage or the expense, perhaps $30,000, of raising their property. For some people, that could make rebuilding unaffordable.

But for now, there is ruined insulation to be ripped out, plumbing to be winterized, windows to be boarded up. The sign spray-painted in front of Mr. Pedano’s house reads: WWPIT. It stands for We Will Put It Together.

His house in Fairfield was flooded out last year by Hurricane Irene. He built it back and said he would build this one back, too. He said the house might be habitable by Memorial Day. If not, then July 4 or Labor Day. If not this year, next year.

“This is only temporary,” Uncle Mike said. “We will be back.”