Even a small fire in the home can be devastating, resulting in extensive fire and smoke damage as well as water damage from putting the fire out. Speedy professional repair and restoration is necessary to prevent additional damage, especially if the homes structure has been compromised. The cost of fire damage restoration depends largely on the extent of the fire and the location of the damage; for instance, a kitchen fire usually leads to more costly repairs than a smaller fire in a bedroom. Homeowners insurance coverageor lack thereofcan have a huge impact on out-of-pocket expenses. Theres no obvious formula for determining the cost of restoring a home after a fire, but some factors are universal.
On average, homeowners pay between $3,500 and $5,000 to recover after a small fire. Of course, if a roof needs to be replaced or kitchen cabinets need to be restored, the cost can get as high as $50,000.
After a fire, a home may need several different types of restoration to be in liveable condition again. Water must be removed and the home dried. Carpet, furniture and draperies must be salvaged, when possible, and soot and odors removed from all fabrics. HVAC system ducts may also need to cleaned of smoke debris.
Some companies, such as Restoration in Deer Park, New York, and Restoration and Cleaning Services in Noblesville, Indiana, specialize in fire damage restoration and can remove water and clean ducts as well as eliminate leftover smoke and soot. AAA Restoration will bill a homeowners insurance company directly instead of charging the homeowner.
Some companies, such as Restoration and Cleaning in Nashville, Tennessee, offer services beyond restoration; they also help pack and store belongings to streamline cleaning efforts.