Key takeaways
- National range: $2,900–$38,325 per typical job, about $20,470 on average.
- Cheapest states: Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. Most expensive: Hawaii, California and Alaska.
- Biggest price driver: Size of the burned area and how far smoke traveled.
- Best way to save: Get professional cleaning started fast; soot damage worsens over days.
How much does fire and smoke damage restoration cost in 2026?
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fire and smoke restoration (overall) | $2,900–$38,325 | National average about $20,470 |
| Per square foot | $4.25–$6.50 | Whole-home cleaning and restoration |
| Smoke damage/odor removal | $200–$1,135 | Varies by size and severity |
| Thermal fogging | $200–$585 | Neutralizes odor in cavities |
| Ozone treatment | $235–$465 | Home must be vacant during treatment |
| Dry soot cleanup | $400–$700 | Fast-burning paper/wood fires |
| Oily soot cleanup | $1,000+ | Grease and plastic fires — harder to clean |
| Water damage from firefighting | $1,270–$5,375 | Extraction and drying |
Fire Damage Restoration Cost questions, answered
- What is the cost of fire and smoke restoration (overall)? The typical cost of fire and smoke restoration (overall) is $2,900–$38,325. National average about $20,470.
- What is the cost of per square foot? The typical cost of per square foot is $4.25–$6.50. Whole-home cleaning and restoration.
- What is the cost of smoke damage/odor removal? The typical cost of smoke damage/odor removal is $200–$1,135. Varies by size and severity.
- What is the cost of thermal fogging? The typical cost of thermal fogging is $200–$585. Neutralizes odor in cavities.
- What is the cost of ozone treatment? The typical cost of ozone treatment is $235–$465. Home must be vacant during treatment.
- What is the cost of dry soot cleanup? The typical cost of dry soot cleanup is $400–$700. Fast-burning paper/wood fires.
- What is the cost of oily soot cleanup? The typical cost of oily soot cleanup is $1,000+. Grease and plastic fires — harder to clean.
- What is the cost of water damage from firefighting? The typical cost of water damage from firefighting is $1,270–$5,375. Extraction and drying.
What changes the price
- Size of the burned area and how far smoke traveled.
- Type of fire — grease and electrical fires leave oily, acidic soot that's harder to clean.
- Water damage from sprinklers or fire hoses.
- Structural repairs — framing, roofing and electrical replacement.
- Contents cleaning — clothing, furniture, electronics and documents.
- Time — soot is acidic and etches surfaces more the longer it sits.
How to save without cutting corners
- Get professional cleaning started fast; soot damage worsens over days.
- Document and inventory everything before it's discarded.
- Ask your insurer about direct billing and Additional Living Expenses coverage.
- Get separate estimates for cleaning vs. rebuilding.
Fire Damage Restoration Cost by state
Labor and material prices vary by region. These estimates apply each state's approximate cost index to the national range.
| State | Estimated range | vs. U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,500–$33,000 | 14% below |
| Alaska | $3,500–$46,800 | 22% above |
| Arizona | $2,700–$35,600 | 7% below |
| Arkansas | $2,500–$32,600 | 15% below |
| California | $3,500–$46,800 | 22% above |
| Colorado | $2,900–$38,300 | about average |
| Connecticut | $3,200–$42,900 | 12% above |
| Delaware | $3,000–$39,900 | 4% above |
| District of Columbia | $3,200–$42,200 | 10% above |
| Florida | $2,700–$35,300 | 8% below |
| Georgia | $2,600–$34,100 | 11% below |
| Hawaii | $3,800–$49,800 | 30% above |
| Idaho | $2,700–$35,300 | 8% below |
| Illinois | $3,200–$42,200 | 10% above |
| Indiana | $2,700–$36,000 | 6% below |
| Iowa | $2,700–$35,600 | 7% below |
| Kansas | $2,600–$34,500 | 10% below |
| Kentucky | $2,600–$34,500 | 10% below |
| Louisiana | $2,500–$33,300 | 13% below |
| Maine | $2,800–$36,400 | 5% below |
| Maryland | $2,900–$38,300 | about average |
| Massachusetts | $3,400–$45,200 | 18% above |
| Michigan | $2,800–$37,600 | 2% below |
| Minnesota | $3,100–$40,600 | 6% above |
| Mississippi | $2,500–$32,600 | 15% below |
| Missouri | $2,800–$37,200 | 3% below |
| Montana | $2,700–$35,600 | 7% below |
| Nebraska | $2,600–$34,500 | 10% below |
| Nevada | $3,000–$39,500 | 3% above |
| New Hampshire | $2,900–$38,300 | about average |
| New Jersey | $3,400–$44,800 | 17% above |
| New Mexico | $2,600–$34,100 | 11% below |
| New York | $3,500–$46,000 | 20% above |
| North Carolina | $2,500–$33,300 | 13% below |
| North Dakota | $2,700–$35,300 | 8% below |
| Ohio | $2,800–$36,400 | 5% below |
| Oklahoma | $2,500–$33,300 | 13% below |
| Oregon | $3,000–$40,200 | 5% above |
| Pennsylvania | $3,000–$39,900 | 4% above |
| Rhode Island | $3,200–$42,200 | 10% above |
| South Carolina | $2,500–$33,300 | 13% below |
| South Dakota | $2,600–$33,700 | 12% below |
| Tennessee | $2,600–$34,100 | 11% below |
| Texas | $2,600–$34,100 | 11% below |
| Utah | $2,700–$35,600 | 7% below |
| Vermont | $2,800–$36,800 | 4% below |
| Virginia | $2,700–$36,000 | 6% below |
| Washington | $3,100–$41,400 | 8% above |
| West Virginia | $2,700–$35,600 | 7% below |
| Wisconsin | $2,900–$38,300 | about average |
| Wyoming | $2,600–$34,900 | 9% below |
More fire damage restoration questions
How much does fire damage restoration cost?
Fire and smoke restoration typically costs about $2,900–$38,325. Whole-home cleaning runs roughly $4.25–$6.50 per square foot nationally, and structural rebuilds cost more.
How long does fire damage restoration take?
A small kitchen fire can be cleaned in days. Major fires that need structural repairs take weeks to many months.
Can I stay in my house after a small fire?
Only after the fire department says it is safe. Soot and smoke residue can be hazardous, and most policies include additional living expenses (ALE) coverage for temporary housing.
Does homeowners insurance cover smoke damage?
Most standard policies cover fire and smoke damage, including smoke from nearby wildfires. Check your policy for exclusions and limits.
How do you get the smoke smell out of a house?
Clean every surface, replace HVAC filters and clean the ducts, then treat the odor with thermal fogging, ozone or hydroxyl generators. Heavy odor may need sealing primer on walls.
Should I clean soot myself?
It is not recommended. Soot is acidic and oily, and the wrong cleaner smears it deeper into surfaces. Professionals use dry sponges and specialized cleaners.
What is additional living expenses coverage?
ALE pays for temporary housing, meals and other extra costs while your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss.
What should I do in the first 24 hours after a house fire?
Get clearance to enter, call your insurer, secure the property with board-up and tarps, photograph damage and start a list of damaged belongings.
Timeline, permits and DIY
How long it takes
Small kitchen fires can be cleaned in days. Major fires take several weeks to many months to rebuild.
Permits
Structural, electrical and HVAC repairs after a fire require permits and inspections.
DIY or hire a pro?
Soot is acidic and can be toxic, so professional cleaning is the safe choice. You can photograph damage and list belongings for your claim.
Questions to ask contractors
Ask every bidder the same questions so you can compare quotes apples to apples.
- Do you handle board-up, cleaning, contents and rebuild?
- Will you work directly with my insurance adjuster?
- How do you remove smoke odor: thermal fogging, ozone or hydroxyl?
- Do you inventory and pack out contents?
Maintenance that prevents costly repairs
- Test smoke alarms monthly
- Clean the dryer vent once a year
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
Fire Damage Restoration Cost FAQs
How much does fire damage restoration cost?
The national average is about $20,470, with most jobs between $2,900 and $38,325. Small smoke-only jobs can cost a few hundred dollars.
How much does smoke damage cleanup cost?
Smoke damage and odor removal typically costs $200–$1,135, and soot cleanup $400–$1,700, depending on the area and soot type.
Does insurance pay for fire restoration?
Standard homeowners policies cover accidental fires, including cleaning, repairs, contents and temporary housing, up to your limits.
Why is grease fire cleanup more expensive?
Grease and plastic fires leave oily soot that smears and penetrates surfaces, so it needs specialized cleaners and more labor.
Fire Damage Restoration Cost in popular cities
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Sources: LawnStarter — Fire and smoke restoration cost (2026). Ranges are rounded estimates; see our editorial policy.