Follow this fire damage restoration process to make sure you get your property back to normal and get the most out of your claim with the insurance company. Typically, this process is handled by experienced professionals (fire restoration contractors, repair specialists, etc.), and should not be attempted by the homeowner or property owner.
In this article, we will explain in detail the steps you should take after a fire and how to prepare for restoration.
What To Do After A Fire
Once the fire is out, make sure you and the property occupants are in a safe location away from unstable structures or falling debris. Then, you can begin following these steps to prepare for the restoration process:
- If you or anyone else has been injured in the incident, seek medical attention or call 911.
- If you rent the property, contact the owner or landlord and tell them about the incident.
- If the structure is safe to enter, try to remove any valuables remaining in the building.
- Don’t turn on any lights or plug in any electronics in case your property’s circuitry was damaged in the incident.
- Dispose of any medicine or food that was exposed to smoke.
- Inspect the property and secure any openings from weather, intruders, or vandalism.
- Contact your insurance company to report the incident and begin the claims process.
Before
After
The Fire Restoration Process
The process of property restoration has many steps:
- First, the restoration contractors will begin by ventilating the property to remove smoke and mitigate damage to your belongings.
- Then, the restoration specialists will inspect your property for belongings like artwork, carpets, furniture, and electronics. They’ll make a full inventory of salvageable items vs. destroyed items. The salvageable items will be removed from the property and taken to an off-site restoration center, while the destroyed items will be documented and counted as ‘total losses’ in your insurance claim.
- Third, the fire damage cleanup begins. All debris is cleared from the home, with contractors keeping an eye out for other salvageable possessions along the way.
- Next, the restoration company considers how to proceed with the building’s restoration. If the property has incurred significant structural damage, demolition may be the best course of action.
- If the property can be restored, a team of various specialists will work together depending on the specific needs of the home. This may include roofing, tiling, insulation, carpentry, painting, or other disciplines.
Filing A Fire Insurance Claim
Many homeowners wonder how their homeowner’s insurance works after a fire loss. If your home catches fire and its contents are damaged, your personal property coverage will help cover the cost to restore or replace your belongings.
After a fire, you’ll want to begin filing your claim with your insurance provider straightaway. If you’re unsure how to go about the process (or if you want the maximum settlement for your claim), our team of certified public adjusters can help. We’ll walk you through the entire process of filing and negotiating with your insurance company.
We have capabilities for handling the entire fire damage restoration process, as well as the insurance claim. If you decide to work with our team, we’ll front-run the restoration process and wait until your claim is settled for payment — giving you peace of mind and letting you get back to your normal life as soon as possible.
Our team of restoration specialists will immediately travel to your property, and inspect it, and draft a plan for restoration. This plan typically involves an initial cleaning process where we look for salvageable possessions. At the same time, we’ll keep a thorough inventory of items that have been damaged beyond repair, and count them as ‘total losses’ for insurance purposes.
We offer both standard and emergency services — if your home has been damaged to the point where it can’t be lived in, we’ll make sure you have a place to sleep while we begin repairs right away.
