What to Do After a House Fire Before Hiring a Restoration Company
A house fire is one of the most disorienting events a homeowner can face. What you do in the first 24–72 hours significantly affects your insurance claim outcome and the final cost of restoration.
1. Immediate Safety: Do Not Re-Enter Yet
Speakable schemaDo not re-enter a fire-damaged home until the fire marshal or fire department has cleared the structure. Fire creates hidden structural damage — compromised beams, weakened floors, and toxic residues — that are invisible from outside.
Smoke and soot contain carcinogens. If you do enter for any reason, wear an N95 or P100 respirator, eye protection, and gloves. Limit time inside.
2. Notify Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company as soon as possible — within hours if you can. Provide a brief description of what happened, ask for your claim number and adjuster contact, and confirm what emergency expenses are covered.
Ask specifically about Additional Living Expenses (ALE) for temporary housing, emergency board-up and tarping, and the process for documenting damaged contents.
3. Secure and Board Up the Property
Fire-damaged structures are vulnerable to theft, vandalism, weather damage, and further deterioration. Emergency board-up and tarping are typically covered by homeowners insurance as mitigation measures.
- Board up broken windows and doors
- Tarp any open roof sections
- Change locks on any remaining secure entry points
- Notify your local police department if the home will be vacant
4. Document All Damage
HowTo schemaPhotograph and video every room, every damaged item, and every visible structural issue before any cleanup or board-up work begins. This documentation is critical to your claim.
5. Finding Temporary Housing
Most homeowners policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage, which reimburses hotel stays, rental costs, and increased meal expenses while your home is being restored.
Keep all receipts for temporary housing, meals (above your normal food budget), laundry, storage, and any other displacement costs.
6. Choosing a Fire Restoration Company
Speakable schemaFire damage restoration is more complex than water damage — it involves smoke odor removal, soot cleaning, structural assessment, content restoration, and reconstruction coordination.
Look for contractors with IICRC Fire and Smoke Restoration (FSR) certification. Ask for a detailed written scope of work, references from fire jobs specifically, and verify their experience with insurance-covered fire claims.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
FAQPage schemaOnly after the fire department or fire marshal clears the structure. Even then, limit time inside and wear protective gear — smoke residue and structural hazards remain.
It varies widely. A contained kitchen fire may take 2–4 weeks. Significant structural damage can take 3–6 months or more. Your adjuster and contractor can provide a timeline after assessment.
Yes. Smoke penetrates surfaces, HVAC systems, and contents. Soot is corrosive and will continue damaging materials if untreated. Fire restoration always includes smoke odor remediation.
Depends on your policy limits, deductible, and cause of fire. Notify your insurer promptly and keep all receipts. For large claims, consider hiring a public adjuster.
Many items can be professionally restored — clothing, furniture, electronics, documents. A restoration contractor can assess contents and pack out salvageable items for off-site cleaning and storage.
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