Some Gloucester and Mathews home improvement businesses found themselves extra busy in the days following the April 16 tornado, while others didn’t see an increase in customers.

"We have had so much work," said Joe Robichaud of Hallieford, who recently merged his Joe’s Home Repair with JB Property Management of Hampton. Robichaud said crews have been making repairs as well as giving many estimates for possible jobs.

It sometimes takes a few weeks for the insurance companies to allow the property owners to begin having repairs made, said Jason Turner of Turner Drywall and Painting at Wake, and he expects extra jobs in the weeks ahead.

"We have had a lot of interest in people looking for contractors," said Mike Neiss, store manager of Lowe’s in Gloucester. Lowe’s has contractors who do installations for that local store, Neiss said, and maintains a list of other contractors in the area.
Right after the tornado hit, Neiss said, a numbe...