The more I read, the happier I am with my choice to install my own hurricane shutters.
This article describes the problems people are having trying to get a contractor to do the installation. Once you get past the rip-off artists, it will take time just to get the materials. I know, since I had an eight-week wait for my aluminum panels. With the materials available, you need to get the contractor to do the install. The guy I bought my panels from was scheduled through the end of the year, and that was back in April.
I am beginning to believe that my removable footer design was a good idea. The article describes how people are stealing panels. I can see other pieces of a shutter system will follow as thieves go for either the aluminum itself or its resale value.
This will affect everyone in the country since the shutter manufacturers are here in Florida and we are sucking up most of the supply. If you want hurricane shutters, order now and be prepared to wait for them to be installed for the 2006 hurricane season.