Estimating your expected fire damage restoration cost is a difficult process for anyone, and especially for homeowners who have just gone through a house fire of any size! No doubt you’re already anxious and upset about having lost certain items in a fire, and having to worry about the cost of fire damage repair doesn’t make recovering from that fire any easier.
Residential fire damage restoration costs average around $2,950, with homeowners reporting a maximum cost of $50,000 and a minimum of $350. Fire damage repair costs depend on the extent of damage, the materials needing replacing, and a home’s location.
While the cost of residential fire cleanup and repair might seem a bit steep to some homeowners, it’s vital that you call fire restoration contractors after a blaze of any size in your home. To ensure you keep your home and family safe long after the flames have been extinguished, note why it’s vital that you use professional fire damage repair companies and what their process includes for most homes.
Fire damage repair might include far more work than you realize as a homeowner, as professional fire restoration contractors don’t simply wash walls and ceilings and sweep up debris. Damaged building materials such as drywall and wall studs are cut away while singed carpeting might need removal.
In addition to removing damaged building materials, note the standard process for repairing fire damaged homes. You can then better understand why you need to invest in any fire damage restoration costs after your home has been through a blaze.
You might not think of water damage cleanup when you consider fire damage restoration costs. However, many fires require copious amounts of water to extinguish, and that water doesn’t just disappear! Water damage cleanup is often the first step in fire restoration and involves more than just extracting water with a heavy-duty vacuum.
Water damage cleanup often starts with carpets being pulled up, so that your fire restoration contractor can note the extent of water damage along a home’s subfloor. Humidity levels are recorded and monitored in the room and behind walls, to note if a home’s framework or drywall have absorbed excess water. A sump pump might be installed, to literally pump standing water out of a home.
Fans and heaters are not sufficient for extracting excess humidity after a fire, so heavy-duty dehumidifiers are placed throughout a home to extract water from surface materials. Humidity levels are continuously monitored throughout this process, to ensure water is extracted properly and to note the risk of future mold growth.
Homes affected by a fire don’t necessarily burn to the ground, but no matter the extent of fire damage, a home can be affected severely by smoke damage. A home might also need soot damage cleanup; soot is an ashy residue of incompletely burned organic matter that penetrates drywall, carpeting, upholstered furniture, and other surfaces, and continues to cause damage long after a fire is extinguished.
If you’ve purchased a new home that has lingering cigarette smoke odors, call a fire damage restoration contractor! The same techniques used to remove smoky smells after a fire will neutralize the smell of cigarette smoke in your home. There are various methods for removing cigarette smoke and its bothersome odors, depending on the extent of smoke damage.
Every homeowner’s insurance policy is different, but most cover the cost of fire damage repairs and other such cleanup. However, your insurance policy might dictate that you only call a licensed fire damage restoration contractor for this work, and there might also be limits as to what’s covered, such as smoke cleanup but not heavy-duty odor neutralizing.
Depending on your policy, an insurance company might also deny your claim for the cost of damages if they feel you were at fault. For example, if you perform your own household electrical repairs and a wire shorts out and starts an electrical fire, your homeowner’s insurance might object to the claim. The same is true if you overloaded electrical outlets or circuits or are otherwise at fault for the fire.
In all cases, it’s good to call your homeowner’s insurance agent immediately after a fire and once you and your family are safe. He or she can advise you on your policy’s coverage and any requirements for being reimbursed for costs, including paperwork you’ll need to submit. Don’t wait to contact him or her as you’ll want to ensure you follow all their requirements for being reimbursed any fire damage restoration cost for your home.
Is a fire damage restoration cost calculated by square footage?
In some cases a fire damage cleanup company might calculate costs by square footage, but note that the extent of damage and the material needing restoration also affects their work and then your cost. For example, having to pull up two layers of carpet padding or carpet that is glued rather than stapled in place means more work and might mean a higher cost.
Can you get smoke damage from a fire next door?
Smoke can become quite thick, depending on what is burning and how long something burns. Your home can easily absorb smoke and its resultant odor from a fire next door. If this happens, contact your homeowner’s insurance company about your options for smoke damage cleanup and restoration.
Do fire repair contractors only clean after large fires?
Never assume that you should manage cleaning your home after any fire, even a small one. Residual soot, ash, and smoke from even the smallest fire are bothersome and can linger for weeks. Invest in a professional fire damage restoration cost no matter the size of a house fire, to ensure your safety and comfort.
