How Fire Restoration Works, Step by Step

The steps

1. Emergency contact. You call, describe the damage and schedule an inspection.
2. Inspection and assessment. A technician maps fire, smoke and water damage and writes a scope of work.
3. Board-up and tarp. Openings are secured to keep weather and intruders out.
4. Water removal and drying. Firefighting water is extracted and the structure dried.
5. Pack-out. Belongings are inventoried and moved out for cleaning.
6. Soot and smoke cleanup. Surfaces are cleaned with methods matched to the type of residue.
7. Odor removal. The air and structure are deodorized.
8. Reconstruction. Damaged materials are replaced, with permits.
9. Final walk-through. You inspect the work and your belongings come home.

How long it takes

A small kitchen fire might be finished in one to two weeks. A major fire with reconstruction can take several months. Your technician gives you a timeline after the inspection.