How much does fire damage restoration cost?
How much does fire damage restoration cost?
$4 – $7 cost per square foot
$8,000 – $18,000 average restoration cost
Fire damage restoration cost
Fire damage restoration costs $4 to $7 per square foot, or $8,000 to $18,000 on average, depending on the home size, fire category, and type and extent of the damage. Smoke damage restoration is a major part of cleanup but restoring damage from the water used to put out the fire can also be significant.
| House size (square feet) | Average restoration cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| 1,200 | $4,800 – $8,400 |
| 1,500 | $6,000 – $10,500 |
| 1,800 | $7,200 – $12,600 |
| 2,000 | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| 2,500 | $10,000 – $17,500 |
| 3,000 | $14,000 – $24,500 |
| 3,500+ | $16,000 – $28,000 |
Smoke damage restoration cost
Fire damage falls into different classes depending on what fueled the fire. This is important because the type of material burned affects the cleanup process and overall restoration costs.
Class A fires are the most frequent fires involving ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and textiles. These fires cost $8,000 to $14,000 to restore. Kitchen fires involving cooking oils and grease are also common. These Class K fires leave behind more residue and cost $11,000 to $18,000 in cleanup, depending on the extent of the damage.
| Fire category | Average restoration cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | $8,000 – $14,000 | Combustibles like wood, paper, or cloth |
| Class B | $12,000 – $18,000 | Flammable liquids like gas, oil, grease, paint, or alcohol |
| Class C | $10,000 – $20,000 | Electrical fires involving energized electrical equipment, appliances, or wiring |
| Class K | $11,000 – $18,000 | Kitchen fires involving vegetable or animal oils and fats |
| Class D | $15,000 – $25,000 | Combustible metals common to industrial settings, such as magnesium, potassium, sodium, lithium, and titanium |
Cost to repair a fire-damaged house
House fires leave a trail of damage beyond the actual flames. Four main areas require attention: smoke and soot film, water damage, structural issues, and personal property damage.
Smoke/soot damage: Smoke and soot are often the most widespread consequence of a fire, leaving a film on surfaces and belongings that requires extensive cleaning and deodorizing to remove the stains and harmful odors.
Water damage: Firefighters use water to extinguish flames, which can cause significant water damage. Restoration contractors must extract this water and dry out the affected areas completely to prevent mold growth.
Structural damage: The intense heat of the fire can weaken or damage building materials like wood, concrete, metal, and electrical wiring. Repairs may involve replacing beams, repairing cracks in walls or foundations, or rebuilding sections or the entire home.
Personal property damage: Fire, smoke, soot, and water can damage furniture, clothing, electronics, carpets, and other belongings. Depending on the extent of the damage, these items may need cleaning or replacement.
Fire damage cleanup
A house fire creates a complex cleanup challenge, requiring the right expertise and equipment. Smoke and soot residue covers numerous surfaces and the water used to extinguish the flames causes secondary damage. Restoration contractors tackle fire, smoke, and water damage simultaneously during the cleanup process.
The following table details the common costs associated with fire damage cleanup.
| Type of damage | Average restoration cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke and soot removal | $500 – $5,000 | Cleaning and restoring walls, ceilings, and contents affected by smoke residue and soot |
| Water damage restoration cost | $2,000 – $6,000 | Removing water and drying the structure to prevent mold growth |
| Ozone shock treatment | $300 – $1,000 | Using ozone gas to eliminate smoke odors throughout the house |
| Duct cleaning cost | $300 – $1,000 | Removing soot and debris from air duct systems to improve air quality |
| Thermal fogging | $200 – $600 per floor | Applying a deodorizing fog to neutralize smoke odors in enclosed spaces |
Structural damage
Structural damage is one of the most serious consequences of a house fire. The high temperatures reached during a fire can significantly compromise the structural integrity of a building, causing concrete, wood, and foundation damage. Electrical wiring damage is also common.
The following table lists some common structural repair costs.
| Repair work | Average repair cost |
|---|---|
| Kitchen repair cost | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Drywall installation cost | $8,000 – $30,000 |
| Roof repair cost | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Roof replacement cost | $6,000 – $16,000 |
| Foundation repair cost | $4,500 – $20,000 |
| Electrical repair cost | $2,000 – $6,000+ |
| Floor repair cost | $2,000 – $20,000+ |
A structural inspection costs $350 to $900 to evaluate whether the fire compromised the structural components, such as the roof, foundation, or electrical systems.
The cost to rebuild a house after a fire can range widely from $50 per square foot for partial repairs to around $100 to $155 per square foot to rebuild when the house is deemed a total loss.
Personal belongings
After a house fire, the cleanup efforts require replacing personal belongings, including furniture, bedding, clothing, and electronics which are often irreparable or unsafe to use. It is important to document all damaged items and their replacement costs when filing an insurance claim.
The following table describes some of the common costs to replace personal belongings after a fire.
| Factor | Average repair cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Damaged item removal | $50 – $125 per pound | Remove and dispose of the damaged items that are not salvageable. |
| Deodorizing furniture | $300 – $1,000 | Neutralize smoke and fire odors from furniture upholstery and cushions. |
| Furniture replacement (sofas, chairs, tables) |
$2,000 – $5,000+ | Replace any upholstered furniture due to permanent staining and odors. |
| Appliance replacement (refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer) |
$2,000 – $6,000 | Replace damaged appliances rather than risk another fire. |
| Electronics replacement (TV, computer, stereo equipment) |
$500 – $5,000+ | Replace electronics directly exposed to flames or water used to extinguish the flames for safety. |
| Bedding replacement (Mattress, box spring, linens) |
$1,000 – $2,000+ | Replace mattresses and fabrics exposed to fire due to irritating soot or smoke in the fabric. |
| Clothing (per person) | $3,000 – $5,000 | Discard all clothing as smoke and soot odors and chemicals used in fire retardants are irritating to the skin and lungs. |
| Bathroom items (Toiletries, cosmetics, medicines) |
$200 – $500 | Throw away all makeup, toiletries, and medicines exposed to extreme heat. |
| Pantry items | $200 – $500+ | Get rid of pantry foods as high heat can activate bacteria even in sealed and canned items. |
| Artwork and collectibles | $500 – $5,000+ | Insure more costly pieces against fire as smoke or water damage may make these items irreparable. |
| Tools and gardening equipment | $500 – $1,000 | If the fire affects the garage or shed, you may have to replace tools and lawn equipment. |
Factors that affect fire damage restoration costs
Several factors affect the overall cost of fire damage restoration, including:
Property size: Larger homes and buildings will generally have higher restoration costs due to the increased scale of the project.
Extent of damage: The more severe the fire damage, the higher the restoration costs will be.
Type of damage: Different types of damage, such as smoke, soot, water, or structural, will require specialized cleaning and repair methods with varying costs.
Location: Restoration costs can vary based on the local labor and material prices in the affected area.
Accessibility: Difficult-to-access areas or complex building layouts can increase the time and effort required for restoration, leading to higher costs.
Salvage and replacement: Some items can be cleaned and salvaged, while other things must be replaced, which increases costs.
Insurance coverage: The extent of coverage provided by the insurance policy determines restoration costs the homeowner will have to pay. If the homeowner does not have adequate fire insurance coverage, they will have to pay for the restoration expenses out-of-pocket.
Fire damage restoration FAQs
What is fire damage restoration?
Fire damage restoration is the comprehensive process of assessing, cleaning, repairing, and restoring a property and its contents after a fire incident, to return it to its pre-loss condition. It can involve debris and odor removal, cleaning or discarding damaged contents, and repairing or replacing damaged building materials.
Can a fire-damaged house be restored?
A fire-damaged house can potentially be restored, but it depends on the specific damage. Restoration is more likely for minor damage, while extensive damage may require partial or full rebuilding of the home.
How soon should I hire a fire damage restoration company?
You should hire a professional restoration company as soon as possible, usually within 48 hours of the fire. This helps minimize further damage and allows the restoration process to begin quickly.
Can you restore fire-damaged photos?
Yes, fire-damaged photos can be restored. Use a professional photo restoration service as they have the right tools, techniques, and expertise to salvage these types of damaged photos effectively.
What items must be thrown away after a house fire?
Some items are unsafe or unusable after a house fire and must be thrown away, even if they appear to be undamaged. To avoid safety risks, throw away electrical equipment, burned clothing and textiles, upholstered furniture and mattresses, cosmetics and toiletries, medicine, and food items.
Getting estimates from fire and water damage restoration companies
Follow these tips to get detailed, transparent estimates from fire damage restoration companies to restore your property:
Schedule a thorough structural inspection of the home to ensure it is safe to begin the cleanup.
Have the restoration company document the damage with photos and videos. This will allow them to provide an accurate, comprehensive estimate.
Ask the company to provide an estimate that details the specific cleaning, repair, and replacement tasks required, along with the associated labor and material costs.
Get detailed estimates from 2 to 3 reputable restoration companies to compare pricing, scope of work, and cleaning approach.
Discuss the company’s availability, timeline, and communication methods.
Work closely with your insurance provider to understand what your policy covers. Provide the restoration company's estimate to your insurer.
Questions to ask fire and water damage restoration companies
Ask these important questions to help you choose a qualified fire and water damage restoration company that can help you get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. Ask these important questions:
Is your company insured, licensed, and bonded in my area?
Are your technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC)?
How much experience do you have with fire/water damage restoration projects similar to mine?
Can you provide me with references from past clients?
What is your process for inspecting the damage and providing an estimate?
How will you communicate with me throughout the restoration process?
What is your estimated timeline for completing the restoration project?
Do you offer additional services such as board-up, content cleaning, or mold remediation?
Can you provide a detailed breakdown of the estimated costs for the restoration project?
Do you work directly with my insurance company to handle the billing process?
Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
What is your plan for handling and storing my belongings during the restoration process?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.