What Affects Fire Damage Restoration Cost
The factors that drive fire damage restoration pricing, how to read an estimate and what to ask before approving work.
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Tell the operator your city, what happened and whether the fire department has cleared the building. You will be connected with a local provider that covers your area.
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- Give your city and ZIP code
- Say what happened and whether the fire is out
- Ask the company about its license and insurance
Quick answer
Cost depends on the size of the loss, how far smoke and water spread, which materials were affected and how much needs replacing. Because every fire is different, a written scope from the company after an inspection is the only reliable number.
What drives the price
- Square footage affected by fire, heat, smoke and water
- Type of residue and how many cleaning passes it needs
- Amount of water used to put out the fire and the drying equipment required
- Contents cleaning, pack out and storage time
- Odor treatment methods and how many rounds are needed
- Board up, tarping and emergency services
- Reconstruction work, permits and specialty trades
- Hazardous material testing in older buildings
Cleaning versus replacing
Cleaning can cost less than replacement, but not always. A heavily sooted porous material may need repeated cleaning that costs more than new material. Ask for the reason behind each item the company wants to replace.
How to read an estimate
- It lists rooms, tasks and quantities rather than a single lump sum
- It separates emergency services, cleaning, contents and rebuilding
- It states what is included and what would be a change order
- It explains who pays what and how insurance billing works
Insurance and who pays
If your policy covers the fire, the insurer typically pays covered costs after your deductible, and the restoration company and insurer may work out the scope directly. You remain responsible for the deductible and for anything not covered. Ask the company to explain its billing process before signing.
Red flags
- Demanding a large upfront payment before any work
- Refusing to put a scope or price in writing
- Pressuring you to sign immediately
- Door to door solicitation right after a fire with no verifiable business information
Sources and further reading
- IICRC: ANSI/IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration
- NAIC: Find your state insurance department
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