Fire is dangerous and destructive. It’s one of the most destructive forces that can impact your home and peace of mind. When you are dealing with fire damage in your home, restoration is the final step in getting things back to normal and getting back to life. Of course, that requires calling the right people for the job—but who is that?
While there are several contractors, professionals and companies that could be involved in your fire damage restoration and repair, the heavy lifting will be done by a licensed fire damage restoration crew that specializes in services like fire damage repair, smoke and odor removal and content restoration. They will help you figure out what can be saved, how to repair the damage, and what the entire job will take in regards to time and cost.
If you find yourself in need of other contractors or assistance, they’ll help you figure out who that’s supposed to be, as well. Here are a few tips from fire damage restoration pros for getting your home back in shape after a fire.
Ask a Lot of Questions
If you call a restoration crew to assist with fire damage recovery, you’ll want to make sure that you use their expertise to your advantage. They can assess to determine what it would take to get your home back to normal. They will also give you the chance to learn about fire damage restoration and point you toward other people you may need along the way.
NO DIY
You should never attempt to restore fire or smoke damage on your own. In addition to being difficult to work with, it can also be dangerous to your health. Inhaling the fumes, ashes and other chemical residues left behind by the fire and the process of extinguishing it, is an unnecessary health risk. A fire can also weaken floor and support structures making your home a hazardous environment.
Leverage Your Insurance Company
In addition to filing a claim for the fire under your home insurance policy, you’ll also want to take advantage of their expertise. Find out what to expect in the cleanup and restoration process, as well as how much they are going to be involved with the process. Ask about timelines and expectations along with what your cost will be outside of policy coverage.
If needed, ask your insurance company about rebuilding, loss of use coverage to pay for housing while yours is being restored. and other things that are involved in recovering from fire damage to your home. If the damage is minor, you may not need all of this, but it doesn’t hurt to be informed so that you know all of your options and can decide on the best course of action.
Patients
Make sure that you take a proactive approach to getting your home restored, but also be patient and know that fire damage can take time to restore and repair. Fortunately, with the right people on your side, it can be a lot less stressful.