How much does Fire damage restoration cost?

Based on 11 real quotes from businesses in United States.

$500

TYPICAL

$1250

$1775

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Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.

Key takeaways

The cost of fire damage restoration depends on your home’s square footage, its location, and extent of damage
Water damage restoration and soot removal can be costly unanticipated expenses
Kitchen fires are the most common types of fire and most expensive to remediate

House fires are extremely common—in fact, US house fires were reported every 89 seconds in 2020, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Aside from being traumatic, house fires can cause costly structural damage, expose hazardous electrical wires and gas lines, and create health risks from inhalation of smoke, asbestos, and other toxins.

Additional byproducts include water damage the occurs from putting out fires, scrapes and gouges on floors and walls from fire hoses, and smoke and soot damage that permeates the entire house.

It’s important to call a professional fire damage restoration company within the first 24–48 hours after a fire, to give them the best chance of remediating damage. They know how to safely enter a fire-damaged house to inspect it, provide an estimate, and minimize further damage.

This is not a DIY job for homeowners—in fact, doing your own restoration work could void your insurance coverage. Read on to understand the costs of professional fire damage restoration.

Pro tip: Allow your insurance adjuster to examine the property before removing any belongings or hiring a restoration pro. If that’s not possible, “make sure you keep a sample [like] the manufacturer’s label from your couch,” says Tom Gissler, president of Restoration 1. That way your insurance adjuster can verify your losses.

Total cost of fire damage restoration

Typical damage cleanup costs include damage assessment, disposal of burned items and materials, smoke removal and remediation, surface water extraction, water damage restoration, dehumidification, and soot cleanup.

Restoration contractors often charge by the square footage. Expect to pay $4–8 per square foot for comprehensive restoration; at that rate, the national average cost of fire damage cleanup and restoration ranges from $3,200–8,500, including materials and labor.

Costs can easily reach $10,000–20,000+ for extensive damage, but doesn’t include rebuilding structural elements such as beams, replacing drywall, flooring, and cabinets, or similar construction work.

For that, you’ll need to work with a general contractor who’ll bid on those jobs separately. For more, see 10 mistakes to avoid when hiring a contractor

Cost factors

The following variables will have an impact on the total cost of fire damage repair and restoration.

Extent of damage. Degree and type of damage are the main cost factors. How much of the house burned? To what extent? How much water, smoke, and soot damage were caused? Where structural damage has occurred, partial or entire demolition and rebuilding could be necessary. For more, see How much do demolition services cost?

Location of damage. Nearly half of all home fires start in the kitchen. Repair costs for kitchen fires are far more costly than elsewhere because of the expense of cabinets, appliances, and fixtures. Other costly fires include those that damage the roof, structural members, and HVAC system (including air ducts and equipment).

Water damage. When putting out a fire, the fire department often causes water damage to floors, walls, furnishings, and other possessions. Water damage restoration alone costs homeowners an average $3,000–9,000.

Odor removal. Thermal fogging uses a deodorizing spray to penetrate hard-to-reach areas and chemically remove smoke odors from upholstery and other porous surfaces. Even after a small fire, the odor of burnt furnishings can linger for years. Replacing carpets and drapes may not completely remove the smell, as those odor molecules make their way into every crack and crevice of a room—even invading seemingly solid materials like drywall. This costs $1,000–3,000, depending upon the size of the house

Smoke remediation. In addition to odor, there are harmful microparticles in smoke and soot that should be removed, not inhaled. Smoke damage restoration costs $1,600–4,500.

How to save money

If a house fire has already occurred, you may be able to save money by:

Getting multiple quotes. Ask for cost estimates or solid bids from multiple restoration professionals to ensure you’re getting the best rate. Always check previous customer reviews before signing a contract to make sure the company is a good one.

You can reduce the risk of a house fire and subsequent cleanup costs by doing the following:

Focus on prevention. Preventing house fires is paramount, for your and your family’s safety as well as your finances. Making a fire-safe home involves installing and regularly maintaining smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and perhaps sprinkler systems, as well as ensuring that your electrical wiring is up to code and avoiding using unsafe extension cords. Be vigilant about cigarettes, candles, fireplaces, and other common causes of house fires, and teach children fire safety techniques.

Get comprehensive renters or homeowners insurance. Different home insurance companies offer varying coverage for fire-related damage and cleanup costs. Make sure your insurance policy covers your personal property in the event of a fire, and be clear about your policy’s deductibles, coverage, and limitations.

FAQs

How do you restore fire damage?

Contact a professional fire damage restoration service and work with them throughout the restoration process. You may also need to hire a licensed contractor to rebuild heavily damaged areas. This isn’t a DIY project, and doing it yourself can often void your fire-related insurance benefits.

How do you remodel a house after a fire?

Contact your insurance company first to determine how much coverage you have. After any necessary fire damage restoration is completed, general contractors can help you explore options for remodeling damaged rooms.

How much does it cost to rebuild after a wildfire?

The cost of rebuilding varies significantly based on where you live, labor costs in your area, and the materials and design components selected for the new home. Generally, you can count on costs of $75–200+ per square foot when working with a general contractor to rebuild after a fire.

Find a fire damage restoration professional in your area.

How are Yelp’s cost estimates calculated?

Every year, millions of consumers request quotes on Yelp from top-rated local professionals. We combine these real-life project quotes with data from the millions of people who interact with businesses on Yelp today. We use our years of expertise to create handy local cost guides that you can trust. Get accurate estimates on projects in your area, from roofing to moving.