When it comes to a fire, the priority should always be people. If your home or business catches fire one day, the most important thing you can do is get your family or coworkers to safety. The next step is to dial 9-1-1 and request that the fire department arrive as soon as possible to put out the fire. But what happens next? The difficult task of getting your family or business back on track. After the firefighters have finished their work, you will need to move to mitigation and restoration.
8 Steps to Rebuilding a Fire-Damaged Home
While recovering after a house fire takes time, you are not required to do so alone. Numerous tasks require the assistance of licensed fire damage restoration service companies, so you can count on solid assistance as you progress through these eight steps.
Call your insurance.
The first step in rebuilding a house after a fire is to call your insurer. It’s critical to start the claims process right away. Suggest to your agent hiring a competent fire restoration company.
The best restoration companies are preferred vendors with a proven track record. “Do I need to rebuild after a fire?” follow your agent’s and contractor’s advice and also check their website.
Evaluate your home’s structure.
Before starting a fire-damaged home remodeling, make sure your home is safe. Your restoration contractor can recommend an engineer. The engineer inspects the basement, second floor, and attic floor joists, interior load-bearing walls, and foundation and basement walls. The restoration contractor can also connect you with fire-damaged home carpenters and electricians.
Secure the property.
When you get the all-clear, lock all, but one entryway and board up damaged windows. Your restoration contractor’s crew can assist. Close your home to reduce the risk of vandalism while rebuilding. Many insurance providers require safeguarding vacant homes.
Advance structural repairs.
This is another project phase best left to the pros. You need skilled carpenters to do significant repairs to maintain the house’s structural integrity. They repair trusses and floor joists in the attic and secure inner framing.
Repair and inspect the electric system.
Even if the fire didn’t destroy your home, your electrical system has to be evaluated and fixed. A fire-damaged home frequently requires a new breaker box, and any damaged wiring, outlets, or fixtures must be replaced.
Address specific fire damage problems.
Every fire-damaged house renovation includes specialized cleanup work that addresses specific fire and smoke damage. Mold growth in damp sheetrock, smoke stains and soot residue, contaminated air ducts, and other issues are addressed by your restoration contractor.
Clean the rooms one by one.
You must be patient because the usual rebuilding period after a fire can range from several weeks to several months. During the recovery process, your certified repair professionals are your finest allies. They can rebuild broken sheetrock, restore fire-damaged floors, and even assist you in salvaging furniture. Take it one room at a time in this final step.
Document everything from the beginning to the end.
The cost of rebuilding after a fire might be prohibitively expensive, therefore keep detailed records of all repair and replacement expenditures. Convert images and papers to digital files to demonstrate the degree of your loss and the cost of recovery. Detailed records make working with the insurance provider easier, and your repair contractor can also assist with the claim process.
Conclusion
Numerous fire repair companies employ subcontractors to undertake these tasks, absolving the property owner of this responsibility. Additionally, some fire repair businesses deal directly with insurance providers, expediting the claims process and ensuring a smooth transition for the homeowner.