How Much Does Fire Damage Restoration Cost?
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about How Much Does Fire Damage Restoration Cost? and hope the blog can help you.
Even a minor fire can cause extensive damage to a home. Depending on the extent of the damage, cleaning up and restoring the home after a fire costs $2,897 to $38,461, or about $20,610 on average.
Highlights
- The typical cost for fire damage restoration ranges from $2,897 to $38,461, with customers paying a national average of $20,610.
- Exact fire damage restoration costs will vary depending on the size of the home; the type of damage; the class, or type, of fire; and the location of the damage.
- Fire damage restoration is a project that needs to be handled by a professional. Attempting to DIY this project can leave the home structurally unsafe and potentially full of hazardous materials.
Need fire damage restoration?
Let a pro take care of the task. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from services near you.
A house fire is a destructive event that can eat through drywall, electrical wiring, flooring, and roofing and can even cause severe structural damage. Depending on the extent of the damage, certain rooms or the home itself may be deemed unsafe for entry. If this occurs, then the homeowner will need to look into fire damage cleanup, rebuilding costs, and full house restoration services to fix the fire-damaged property.
Even small grease fires can cause extensive damage to the home, leading to costly fire and smoke damage restoration. According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, homeowners can expect to pay about $2,897 to $38,461, or $20,610 on average for fire damage restoration and cleaning. Homeowners can learn more about the fire remediation process and the factors involved in calculating the overall fire damage restoration cost to come up with a budget for this project.
Factors in Calculating Fire Damage Restoration Cost
There are several factors that can impact fire damage restoration cost, so before homeowners look into fire restoration companies, it’s a good idea to become more familiar with the various elements that could affect the cost of the repairs, including home size, damage type, and fire type.
Home Size
The most basic factor to consider when homeowners are coming up with a budget for a fire damage restoration job is the size of the home as well as the extent of the damage. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that even if the fire did not spread to the entire home, there is a chance that the smoke and soot may have affected a greater area, leading to higher repair costs.
A fire inspector will need to enter the home or assess the damage from the outside if they deem that the property is unsafe to enter. Homeowners can expect to pay about $4 to $6.50 per square foot for fire damage repair and restoration. The larger the home, the higher the cost to repair the fire damage.
| Home Size in Square Feet | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| 1,000 | $4,000 to $6,500 |
| 1,750 | $7,000 to $11,375 |
| 2,000 | $8,000 to $13,000 |
| 2,500 | $10,000 to $16,250 |
| 3,000 | $12,000 to $19,500 |
| 4,000 | $16,000 to $26,000 |
| 5,000 | $20,000 to $32,500 |
Damage Type
The next factor to discuss with the fire remediation company is the type of damage. Homeowners will want to be prepared for there to be a few different damage types, including burned materials, smoke damage, and soot damage. Homeowners will also want to keep in mind that the act of putting out the fire can cause property damage, such as water damage or chemical damage from a hose or fire extinguisher.
Typically, smoke damage is the least expensive to repair, ranging from about $200 to $1,200, while structural damage can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 on average. Homeowners can get a better idea of the extent and cost of the repairs by checking with the fire restoration specialist. They will be able to determine the type of damage and provide the homeowner with a rough estimate of the fire damage mitigation cost.
Need fire damage restoration?
Let a pro take care of the task. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from services near you.
Fire Class
According to the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, there are five classes, or types, of fires. The type of damage to the property, the method for extinguishing the fire, and the fire damage restoration process can vary depending on the fire type.
- Class A, or ordinary combustible, fires involve wood, paper, plastic, or other common solid combustibles. These fires don’t spread as fast as electrical or gas fires but will still cost about $9,000 to $14,000 for repairs and fire restoration cleaning.
- Class B, or gas, fires are caused when flammable household liquids, such as petroleum, oil, or paint, ignite. This type of fire must be smothered or put out with a suitable chemical extinguisher. Gas fires will typically cost between $14,000 and $20,000 for restoration services.
- Class C, or electrical, fires can occur without anyone knowing due to a faulty outlet, bad wiring, or even an overloaded power bar. Homeowners will want to plan on spending about $12,000 to $23,000 to restore their home after an electrical fire.
- Class D, or combustible metal, fires are not typical for a residential home. This type of fire is more common in an industrial setting. A combustible metal fire occurs when a metal, such as aluminum or titanium, is heated to the point that it catches fire. These fires are difficult to put out and can cause extensive damage to the structure, leading to a hefty restoration bill between $16,000 and $25,000.
- Class K, or kitchen oil, fires are one of the most common fires to occur in the home. Cooking oil, grease, or animal fat can spill, spatter onto the burner, or leak into the oven, causing a flare-up in the kitchen. If the fire spreads to any nearby items, such as the counters, walls, cabinets, or appliances, it can move on rapidly to other parts of the home. Restoration costs for a kitchen oil fire typically range from $12,000 to $20,000.
Damage Location
The cost of the fire restoration process could increase or decrease depending on where the fire occurs. Some areas of the home, such as the kitchen, tend to house expensive appliances, so the cost to repair the fire damage may be higher. Unfurnished rooms will be less costly to fix because the restoration specialists won’t need to worry about replacing finished drywall or high-end tiles.
Generally, the laundry room is the least expensive room in the home to fix, while the attic costs the most to restore. However, it’s important for homeowners to note that the differences among homes can be almost as many and as varied as the differences among homeowners, so the restoration cost can fluctuate.
| Room | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| Attic | $6,400 to $10,400 |
| Bathroom | $700 to $1,140 |
| Dining room | $860 to $1,400 |
| Kitchen | $1,220 to $1,990 |
| Laundry room | $410 to $660 |
| Living room | $1,320 to $2,150 |
| Master bedroom | $1,220 to $1,990 |
Additional Costs and Considerations
After homeowners work with the fire damage restoration specialists to come up with a basic budget for this project, it’s important for them to consider the potential costs that may fall outside of the initial restoration process, such as the installation of additional fire suppression systems, duct cleaning services, insulation replacement, and deodorizing services.
Need fire damage restoration?
Let a pro take care of the task. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from services near you.
Fire Suppression Systems Installation
After a fire, the existing fire suppression equipment or systems installed in the home may need to be replaced. This can include small items, such as standard smoke detectors and one or more of the best fire extinguishers, but it can also include premium products, such as a home fire sprinkler system, which can all increase the overall cost of the restoration project.
Additionally, if standard smoke detectors failed or underperformed, then the homeowner may want to upgrade to high-quality smoke detectors, which cost significantly more than standard smoke detectors. They’ll want to make sure they know how to use a fire extinguisher, as just having one in the home won’t be much help if the residents don’t know how it works. Another option to help protect the residents of the home is one or more fire doors. These additions reduce the risk of fire spreading from room to room.
| Fire Suppression Systems | Average Cost (Materials Only) |
| Extinguisher | $20 to $100 |
| Fire door | $400 to $900 |
| High-quality smoke detectors | $650 to $950 |
| Sprinkler system | $0.80 to $7 per square foot |
| Standard smoke detectors | $10 to $65 |
Home Repairs
Fire damage restoration professionals will come in to remove damaged furniture, appliances, and fire-damaged debris from the home. They can also handle soot removal, smoke damage repairs, fire damage restoration, and deodorizing of the home to help remove the lingering scent of fire. However, after the initial restoration process, there may still be some significant repairs, fixes, or remodeling projects that will need to be completed in the future.
Depending on the location and the extent of the damage, the homeowner may need to worry only about cosmetic repairs to the drywall, ceilings, and floors. However, severe fire damage could lead to expensive renovation projects to fix the electric system, repair the foundation, or possibly even replace the roof.
| Type of Repairs | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| Drywall installation | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Electrical repairs | $900 to $3,000 |
| Floor repairs | $400 to $20,000 |
| Foundation repairs | $2,200 to $7,800 |
| Kitchen repairs | $14,600 to $41,300 |
| Roof repairs | $400 to $1,800 |
| Roof replacement | $5,900 to $12,800 |
Duct Cleaning
Professional cleaning after a fire is an essential service for restoring the look and feel of the home. This task includes cleaning the air ducts to remove soot and trapped smoke odors so that they are not carried through the vents to every room in the home. While duct cleaning may not be high on the list of priorities when it comes to fire restoration, it is a necessary service to ensure that the home has clean air that is free of lingering smoky smells.
Homeowners can shop around for the best duct cleaning service in the area or speak to the restoration company to determine if duct cleaning is offered as part of the restoration cleanup process. On average, duct cleaning costs about $200 to $500.
Insulation Replacement
The insulation throughout the ceilings and walls is typically fire-resistant in newer properties, which reduces the risk of the insulation being damaged in a fire. However, even fire-resistant insulation will melt at high enough temperatures. Additionally, the insulation can become damaged by water or chemicals in the process of extinguishing the fire, due to the spray of the hose or fire extinguisher.
If the insulation is too damaged, the homeowner will need to replace it throughout the home before the drywall can be replaced. The average cost to replace insulation ranges from $2,130 to $6,700. Including labor, this works out to about $1 to $5.65 per square foot.
Furniture and Textile Deodorizing
Another factor for homeowners to consider after a house fire is the cost to get rid of strong or lingering smoke odors. These scents can get trapped in the ducts but can also be absorbed by the furniture, carpet, curtains, and other textiles that survived the fire. There are several ways to remove the lingering smoke smell, including standard furniture and textile deodorizing, thermal fogging, and ozone treatments.
- Standard furniture and textile deodorizing is the most basic option for removing smoky smells after a fire. This method involves cleaning the affected furniture and textiles, then treating them with a strong deodorant. Costs for standard furniture and textile deodorizing after a fire are the same as professional cigarette smoke removal costs—about $200 to $1,000.
- Thermal fogging costs about $200 to $550. During this process, a deodorizing agent is heated up, then misted across target furniture and textiles, allowing the deodorizing agent to bond to smoke particles deep in the fabric.
- Ozone treatment is the process of using high levels of oxygen within an enclosed space to break down airborne molecules and bacteria, as well as removing strong smoke odors. This method of deodorizing furniture and textiles costs between $300 and $600.
Permits
Building permits are not always required for fire damage restoration, but if there are any changes to the electrical system, plumbing system, or the structure of the building, then there is a good chance that the project will need a permit. Generally, the fire remediation specialists will know what type of work requires a building permit, but the homeowner can also head to the local permit acquisition office to find out.
If a permit is needed for the restoration work, many of the best fire damage restoration services will take responsibility for getting the permit before starting work. However, this is not the case for all companies, so it’s in the best interest of the homeowner to speak to the fire damage restoration professional to determine who will be responsible for acquiring the permit.
Homeowners Insurance Coverage
The main purpose of homeowners insurance is to provide support when an incident that is covered under the policy occurs, such as fire damage. However, the exact value of the claim and the extent of the coverage can vary among insurance providers and policies. Since homeowners insurance typically covers fire damage, one of the first steps for homeowners to take is to record any details about the incident and to take as many pictures as possible of the interior and exterior of the home before moving any items. It’s also important to note that renters insurance also usually covers fire damage, so tenants who lost belongings in a fire will want to contact their renters insurance provider to file a claim.
Having this information documented and on hand will help the homeowner when filing an insurance claim. Homeowners will want to contact their insurance company after the fire to discuss the procedure for filing a claim and to find out what comes next in the process. They’ll want to make sure to document all phone calls and emails with the insurance company, as well as ask for copies of all important documentation. Homeowners will work with the insurance company and the restoration company to decide on the best course of action. It’s advised to wait to begin fire damage restoration until the insurance provider has approved the claim and given express approval for the work to start.
Fire Damage Restoration Cost by Type of Damage
The cost of the fire damage repairs can vary depending on the type of damage. Typically, a fire will affect the home in more ways than one. Smoke can seep into furniture and fabrics, soot can cling to the walls, and heat from the flames can burn through wood and even melt metal. When coming up with a budget for this restoration project, homeowners will want to consider the type and the extent of the damage.
| Type of Damage | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
| Burned materials | $300 to $1,600 |
| Chemical damage | $600 to $2,000 |
| Smoke damage | $200 to $1,200 |
| Soot damage | $400 to $1,700 |
| Structural damage | $15,000 to $25,000 |
| Water damage | $3,000 to $6,000 |
Burned Materials
Fire eats through carpet, drywall, furniture, flooring, ceilings, and more, burning or melting most things that it comes in contact with. During the fi