How Much Does Fire Damage Restoration Cost?

Once the fire department disappears and you begin taking stock of the damage, it’s tough not to see dollar signs. Cleaning up after a fire can be costly. But fire damage restoration costs can vary widely depending on the type of fire, how it spread, and even the method used to put it out.

Reclaiming your life after a severe fire will be a top priority and a struggle. Even if your home’s structure is intact, fire, soot, and smoke can lead to significant and costly damage. A minor fire that only impacts one part of your property can damage other components due to smoke and soot.

You might pick up the phone to get some estimates. But no reputable fire damage restoration service can give you a fair price over the phone. There are too many variables. But once you get an in-house assessment, you can get a clear picture of what it will cost to restore your property. Here are some figures and the factors that influence those costs.

Average Cost of Fire Damage Restoration

Fire damage restoration costs vary depending on the extent of the fire and situation. But, on average, homeowners can expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,000 to recover after a small fire. But the cost can reach as high as $50,000 to restore a kitchen or replace a roof after a major home fire.

Some studies have collected average costs per square foot. It costs about $4.70 per square foot to restore a home following a fire. But this cost will vary by the house’s location and access to things like labor and materials.  

Factors That Influence Fire Damage Restoration Costs

Fires can range from the simple to the complex. But the cost of restoring even a small house fire can be devastating. Simple fires usually happen outside the home and burn pure fuels such as wood and grass. Complex fires are associated with structures where many different fuels are involved.

The cause of the fire can impact fire damage restoration costs. For example, a grease kitchen fire can be challenging to clean up due to the oily soot left behind. And fires that damage your home’s vents, insulation, or wiring can wreak havoc on several levels of the house.

A technician will visit your home to do an on-site assessment. They will review the damage your property has sustained and end with an estimate for a thorough cleaning, repair, and replacement of damaged property.

The size of a structure will impact the restoration price tag. For example, if you are given an estimate of $5.00 per square foot for fire restoration services and the home is 2,500 square feet, the final figure will be about $12,500. Some of the different cleanup costs you’re likely to encounter include:

1. Smoke Cleanup

One of the first things you’ll notice after a fire is the strong smell of smoke, which is challenging to remove. Porous materials like upholstery, carpet and even walls will quickly absorb smoke, and the damage will continue to spread if it isn’t treated.

But smoke cleanup can’t occur until you address other fire damage restoration issues first. Then, treatment like fogging and ozone can help remove smoke damage. The cost for this ranges from about $200 to over $500.

 2. Soot Removal

Soot is an organic byproduct of fire, and it can be challenging to remove from a home. The material can vary depending on what was burned, but soot is highly acidic and can get into the cracks and crevices of walls, ceilings, and floors, causing permanent damage.

If the fire leaves a lot of soot residue, it must be addressed immediately, or the cleanup costs will continue to escalate. Depending on the extent of the damage, soot removal can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $6,500.

 3. Water Damage

Most large fires are likely put out using a lot of water. This leaves your home and contents a soaking mess, with water saturating carpet, flooring, walls, ceilings, and cabinets. This results in substantial water stains and water damage, worsening the longer your home is left to sit.

Another issue with water damage is the potential for mold, which can begin growing as quickly as 24 to 48 hours. In addition to cleaning up water damage, you will likely need mold prevention or remediation efforts.

Water damage restoration can be costly, but the final price tag will depend on the extent of the damage. For example, to remove a wall damaged by water and treat the area for mold, the cost could run anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000.

 4. Fire Restoration

A large property fire will destroy various parts of your internal and external structure, which is going to require reconstruction. New flooring might need to be installed, saturated drywall replaced, or warped cabinets redone.

Fire restoration services take place after a whole cleanup is complete. The cost of restoring your property will vary depending on the extent of the damage. For example, replacing a piece of drywall might only cost $250. But redoing destroyed kitchen cabinets will likely cost thousands.

 5. Miscellaneous Cleanup

Fires don’t discriminate, so there’s no way to predict what they’re going to destroy or the cost of your restoration. You might have to replace your entire HVAC system due to contamination or have new windows installed in your home. But waiting too long to address these issues can further damage.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Fire Damage Restoration Company

Fires can result in damage to a home and the enclosed possessions. It might be tempting to clean everything up yourself, but a DIY restoration job isn’t likely to give you the results you want and need. Besides, hiring a professional fire damage restoration company has several benefits.

Faster restoration

Professionals have extensive knowledge of fire restoration, building regulations, and structural safety and repair. This enables them to restore your home more quickly and efficiently.

Health and safety

Spending time in a home with fire damage can be a severe health and safety issue. You and your family could be exposed to smoke, chemicals, toxins, and other residues that can be harmful when touched or inhaled.

Avoid further damage

A home damaged by fire is vulnerable to further damage if repairs aren’t approached correctly. One wrong move could trigger a wall or ceiling collapse. A professional company will know how to minimize risks and avoid these problems.

Insurance considerations

If you have insurance coverage, many insurers will require that you use a licensed and insured professional to clean up and restore your property after a fire. Make sure you review your policy before you make any decisions.

Contact National Catastrophe Restoration Inc. for Certified Fire Damage Restoration Services

At National Catastrophe Restoration Inc. (NCRI), we understand how stressful a property fire can be. If you or someone you love has recently had this experience and aren’t sure what to do next, we can help.

NCRI is a full-service disaster restoration company specializing in restoring fire-damaged properties to pre-loss conditions. You can rely on our team of certified and highly-trained restoration technicians to guide you through the recovery process and take the necessary steps to get your property back into your hands.

Contact us today to learn more about our fire damage restoration services.