Key takeaways
- Short answer: Wait for the fire department to clear the home, then call your insurer, secure the property with board-up and tarps, photograph all damage, and hire a fire restoration company to start soot and water cleanup within a few days.
- Only re-enter when cleared
- Call your insurer the same day
- Start soot cleanup within days
- Typical fire damage restoration cost: $2,900–$38,325 per typical job.
First 72 hours
- Get a copy of the fire department report.
- Call your insurer and ask about Additional Living Expenses.
- Arrange board-up and tarping.
- Photograph every room and item before cleanup.
- Remove valuables, documents and medications if safe.
- Have utilities checked before turning them back on.
Important documents to replace
- IDs and passports
- Insurance policies
- Birth certificates and Social Security cards
- Bank cards and checks
- Medical records and prescriptions
Related questions
Can I stay in my house after a small fire?
Only if the fire department says it's safe and smoke cleanup is done. Soot particles are a health risk.
Who pays for board-up after a fire?
Homeowners insurance usually covers emergency board-up as part of preventing further damage.
How long do I have to file a fire claim?
Report it immediately. Policies and states set deadlines for proof-of-loss forms, so ask your insurer for the timeline.
Other fire damage restoration questions homeowners ask
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fire Damage Restoration at a glance
Timeline
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 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.
What fire and smoke damage restoration costs
Fire damage restoration averages about $20,470, with most jobs costing $2,900–$38,325. Small kitchen fires with smoke damage sit at the low end; structural fires that need rebuilding and water cleanup from firefighting cost far more.