Recovery from a house fire takes time, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can rely on reliable assistance to complete these eight steps, as licensed professionals must perform many of the required tasks.
8 Steps to Repair a House After a Fire
Contact the Insurance Provider
After a fire, the first step in repairing your home is to contact your insurance company. The claims procedure must be initiated without delay. If you reside in Florida, consult with your agent about hiring reputable local home restoration companies such as PuroClean.
Working with a restoration company with a proven track record and an ongoing Preferred Vendor status is optimal. If you are still determining whether or not to renovate after a fire, let your agent and restoration contractor be your guides.
Evaluate the Damage to Your Home’s Structure
Before beginning renovations on a fire-damaged home, ensure its safety. Your restoration specialist may recommend a structural engineer for this essential aspect of the project. The engineer’s inspection focuses on the
- Basement, second floor, and attic floor joists
- Identifying and outlining necessary repairs.
- Internal load-bearing walls. Basement foundation walls.
The restoration specialist can also put you in touch with qualified electricians and carpenters who have experience repairing fire-damaged homes.
Ensure the Security of the Property
Lock all doors except one and board up broken windows before beginning work on the house. Your restoration contractor’s crew can assist with this task. You reduce the likelihood of vandalism by securing your home during reconstruction. Many insurance companies require that properties be secured after a fire.
Prioritize Structural Repairs
This is another project phase that professionals should handle. You need skilled carpenters to perform heavy repairs to maintain the home’s structural integrity. They reconstruct the attic, replace worn-out floor joists and roof trusses, and fortify the interior framework.
Assess and Repair the Electrical System
Even if the fire did not destroy your home’s electrical system, you must have it inspected and repaired by a licensed electrician. Frequently, a fire-damaged home requires a new breaker box, and all wiring, outlets, and fixtures must be inspected for safety and replaced if compromised.
Deal with Issues Related to Fire Damage
Every renovation of a fire-damaged home includes specialized cleanup to address the numerous fire- and smoke-related damages. Your fire damage cleanup specialist handles the following and more:
- Mold development on wet sheetrock
- Traces of soot and smoke stains
- Contaminated air ducts
Clean Every Room
After a fire, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months on average to rebuild. Certified restoration technicians are your greatest allies during a disaster. They will repair damaged sheetrock and burnt floors and even help you salvage furniture. Manage this final phase one room at a time.
Document Everything, Beginning to End
Keep track of all repair and replacement expenses, as rebuilding after a fire can be extremely costly. Digitize your photographs and documents to demonstrate the extent of your loss and the recovery cost. Complete records make working with the insurance provider easier, and your restoration specialist can assist you throughout the claims process.