Shortages of supplies and workers will delay rebuilding after Hurricane Ida

Allison Smith in her apartment in Houma, where she was standing when Hurricane Ida hit (AP) Photo/Rebecca Santana)

Joe Sobol, owner of Big Easy Construction in New Orleans, has bad news for homeowners calling about roofs damaged by Hurricane Ida or for an update on renovations scheduled before the storm.

The job will cost a lot more than usual — and take much longer, too.