After a house fire, recovery takes time, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can rely on reliable assistance as you complete these eight steps because licensed professionals must complete many of the tasks required.
8 Steps to Repair a Fire-Damaged House
Call the Insurance Company
The initial step in repairing a house after a fire is to call your insurance company. The claims procedure needs to get started as soon as possible. If you live in Florida, talk to your agent about hiring a reputable fire restoration company like PuroClean.
Working with a restoration business with a solid track record and ongoing Preferred Vendor status is ideal. Let your agent and restoration contractor be your guides if you are wondering whether you need to rebuild after a fire.
Evaluate the Structural Damage to Your Home
Before starting a fire-damaged home’s renovation, ensure it is secure. Your professional property restoration in Lakeland might suggest a structural engineer for this crucial portion of the project. The engineer’s inspection outlines required repairs for and identify damages to:
- Basement, second floor, and attic floor joists.
- internal load-bearing walls.
- walls of the basement’s foundation.
The restoration specialist can also connect you with qualified electricians and carpenters who specialize in repairing fire-damaged homes.
Ensure the Property Is Secure
Before beginning any work on the house, lock all but one of the doors and board up any broken windows. The crew from your restoration contractor can assist with this task. You reduce the possibility of vandalism by locking up your house during the rebuilding process. Many insurance companies demand that after-fire properties be secured.
Prioritize Structural Repairs
Another project phase that experts should handle is this one. You want skilled carpenters to handle the heavy repairs to ensure the house’s structural integrity. They rebuild the attic, swap out worn-out floor joists and trusses, and secure the interior framework.
Assess the Electrical System and Make Repairs
A certified electrician must inspect and repair your home’s electrical system, even if the fire did not completely demolish it. A new breaker box is frequently required for a fire-damaged home, and all wiring, outlets, and fixtures must be inspected for safety and replaced if they are compromised.
Take Care of Problems Related to Fire Damage
Every fire-damaged home renovation includes specialized cleanup work to address the various fire and smoke-related damages. Your fire and smoke damage restoration specialists take care of these issues and more:
- Mold development on wet sheetrock
- Sooty remnants and smoke stains
- Polluted air ducts
Clean Up All the Rooms
You must have patience because rebuilding after a fire can take several weeks to several months. Your best allies during recovery are your certified restoration technicians. They fix damaged sheetrock, repair burned-out floors, and even assist you in salvaging furniture. Deal with this last stage one room at a time.
Record Everything, From the Start to Finish.
Keep track of all repair and replacement costs because reconstructing after a fire can be very expensive. Convert your photos and documents to digital files to demonstrate the extent of your loss and the recovery cost. Working with the insurance provider is simpler by thorough records, and your restoration specialist can support you throughout the claims procedure.