How Much Does It Cost to Repair Fire Damage?
What isn’t burned or destroyed in a fire is often in need of serious repair. Fires often leave behind soot, smoke, and/or water damage. The types of damage you have will ultimately affect the cost of repair.
Comparing the Cost of a DIY Cleanup vs. Hiring a Professional
Things to note when considering whether to clean and repair on your own should include the following:
- If attempting to clean or repair items yourself, safety should be your top priority. Mold from water damage, soot, and other contaminants are toxic and may cause long-term health problems if you don’t protect yourself from exposure. There can also be structural damage or exposed building materials such as asbestos after a fire that present hazards.
- Consider health risks carefully. While it may seem efficient to clean some items yourself (and you sometimes can if you take extreme precautions), you should know that asthma and other respiratory conditions can be exacerbated by exposure to toxins.
- Consider the costs of DIY cleaning. If you fail to clean water damage properly, mold can return. If you fail to clean soot thoroughly from air ducts or vents, it can spread throughout your home, re-infecting rooms. If this happens, you will have to pay for a professional to do the job properly a second time.
Estimating Costs for Types of Fire Damage
The cost of fire damage repair depends on a number of factors including whether the affected area is a commercial or residential location, whether there’s both water and fire damage, and the size of the affected area.
Water damage repair in Colorado can cost between $3 to $4 per square foot to repar. This can include extracting water, removing damaged carpet and dehumidifying the area. If you have mold from the water damage, repair costs could significantly increase.
Soot damage cleanup often costs an estimated $2,000 to $6,000+. Soot is the residue left from the organic matter that burned. There are two types of soot – dry and oily. You may be able to launder items affected by dry soot yourself*, but a professional must clean oily soot. *It’s best to have a professional review the damage and type of soot PRIOR to completing any DIY laundering, especially to prevent clogging washing and drying machines with soot.
Smoke damage cleanup can range from $800 to $5,000+ depending on the treatment you select and extent of the damage. You will likely need a professional to complete a thermal fogging or ozone treatment to remove the smell of smoke from your home, furniture, and fabric materials.
What You’ll Need to Compete a DIY Cleanup
If you decide to clean up fire damage yourself, first read our cleanup tips for fire damage.
Wall Cleanup
If the soot isn’t oily, you may be able to clean walls with a disinfectant. If soot is oily, it will need to be professionally cleaned.
Floor Cleanup
If you have tile flooring, you can likely clean it yourself with a general cleaner. Laminate floors, carpet, and carpet padding will likely need to be replaced. Hardwood floors may need professional refinishing.
Vent and Duct Cleanup
You or a professional will also need to clean air ducts, furnace, and air-conditioning filters to prevent the further spread of soot.
Belongings Cleanup
If the soot isn’t oily, you may be able to launder drapes, pillows, and fabric as you would normally, but you should consult a professional first to avoid damaging laundry appliances. If it’s oily soot, you must utilize professional fabric restoration services.
For items that were only exposed to smoke, such as books, you may be able to remove the smell by enclosing them in a plastic bag with charcoal for a few days. The charcoal will absorb the smell.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional
Soot and mold are toxic. When a fire ravages a home or office, it can leave behind soot, which can harm your health if you don’t handle it properly. We know how to clean soot and mold effectively, which can help ensure you can get back into your home or office as safely and quickly as possible.
Insurance can be challenging. Our experienced staff members will work alongside you to ensure the insurance process is equitable. We have decades of experience in navigating the nuances of insurance claims – plus we’re an approved smoke and fire damage contractor for many Colorado insurance companies.
After a fire, make sure you hire a company you can count on to help restore your office or home. You can rely on Professional Restoration to help you restore, repair and rebuild any residential or commercial property.
If you have fire, water, or smoke damage, call our experienced professionals at 303-922-4001 to schedule a free estimate.
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