Fire Damage Recovery Costs

There is no such thing as an “average” house fire, and so the costs associated with fire damage recovery are difficult to estimate.

The factors that impact the total cost for fire damage recovery include:

The extent of the damage: Was it just smoke and limited fire damage, or was it a widespread fire and full restoration of the room or home is needed?

How was the fire put out: The method of extinguishing the fire may lead to damages that require entirely separate recovery costs. Water damage in the walls and basement, for example, may result from a very small fire in a second-story room.

The type of damage: From fire burning the property to smoke, water, soot, and chemical damages (if chemicals were used to extinguish the flames), the price will vary based on damages done and recovery methods used.

There are specific procedures to follow immediately after a fire event, and these can ensure your home is protected from further harm and damage, while also getting the recovery process started quickly. Contacting your insurance provider is essential, as is taking photos of the damage before anything is touched or cleaned. Ventilating the space (if possible) helps with odors, mold, and mildew, and contacting a remediation firm early is very wise.

The last step helps you to discover the amount of recovery and cleaning needed, and lets you know the estimated costs of the process, as well as the timeline.

Other considerations and costs

• While having fire damage recovery services, it is a great time to boost the home’s defenses against future problems. For example, it could be the ideal time to have an excellent array of premium smoke detectors installed and hardwired to the electrical supply. These can range from as little as $15 each to over $80 each, depending on their features. You’ll also want premium fire extinguishers installed and annually inspected, which may cost around $75 each.
• If the home sustained damages to sheetrock and requires rebuilding, it is the perfect opportunity to consider sprinklers in vulnerable areas. They average around $1.75 per square foot and can reduce the risk of future losses by almost 90%.

Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.

DIY considerations

• Any type of fire in a home has to be reported to the insurance company, and their recovery methods must be followed. They will not allow most owners to conduct a DIY fire damage recovery process.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.