Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
Fire & Smoke Damage in Boulder, CO
Fire damage restoration covers securing the property, removing water from firefighting, cleaning soot from surfaces and contents, removing smoke odor, and rebuilding what burned. Smoke spreads far beyond the flames, so most of the work is cleaning.

Fire & Smoke Damage in Boulder: local conditions
Partner coverage for fire and smoke damage in Boulder currently includes 9 ZIP codes: 80301, 80302, 80303, 80304, 80305, 80307, 80309, 80310, 80314. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
The Marshall Fire left smoke damage in homes across the area.
Mapleton Hill and Chautauqua have early-1900s homes with basements and aging plumbing. Table Mesa and North Boulder have mostly 1960s–1980s homes with finished basements. Many Boulder homes have finished basements, and older homes in Mapleton Hill and near the university sit on stone foundations. Homes near creeks face flood risk, and homes near open space face wildfire smoke, so restoration needs vary widely across the city.
Licensing in Colorado: Colorado doesn't license general contractors statewide. Cities and counties, including Denver, license contractors locally, while plumbers and electricians are licensed by the state.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving Boulder, CO
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Fire & Smoke Damage at a glance
- Category
- Fire & smoke damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Secure the property
- Area
- Boulder, CO
Other risks in Boulder
Creek flooding
Boulder Creek and its tributaries flood quickly in heavy rain, as in 2013.
Frozen pipes
Cold snaps freeze pipes in exterior walls and basements.
Ice dams
Snow and freeze-thaw cycles cause ice dams that leak into ceilings.
Hail damage
Summer hail damages roofs and gutters.
Signs you need fire & smoke damage
- Black or gray film on walls, ceilings and windows
- Smoke odor that returns on warm or humid days
- Water damage from firefighting
How the work is done
Secure the property, then Remove water, then Clean soot and smoke, then Remove odor, then Restore and rebuild. See the full fire & smoke damage process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Boulder quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of fire & smoke damage cost factors.
Fire & Smoke Damage questions
Do I need a permit for repairs in Boulder?
Cleanup and drying don't. Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the City of Boulder Planning and Development Services.
Is my Boulder home in a flood zone?
Check the City of Boulder floodplain maps. Homeowners policies exclude flood, and many 2013 claims came from outside mapped zones.
Can I clean soot myself?
Light dry soot in a small area sometimes can be, but wiping often smears it deeper. Larger areas, oily soot and anything involving odor are best left to professionals with the right cleaning methods.
Does homeowners insurance cover smoke damage from a wildfire?
Usually yes, even if the fire didn't reach your home. Document the damage, including ash and odor, and report it to your insurer quickly.
Related pages
Other services in Boulder
Fire & Smoke Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Boulder, or see fire & smoke damage nationwide.
Related services

Fire damage restoration
Fire damage restoration secures the property, removes debris, cleans soot from surfaces and contents, removes smoke odor, dries water left by firefighting, and repairs the structure.
Learn more
Smoke odor removal
Smoke odor removal works by cleaning the residue that causes the smell, then neutralizing what's left with thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators or ozone, and sealing surfaces that still hold odor.
Learn more
Soot cleanup
Soot cleanup removes the oily or dry carbon residue left by fire, furnace puffbacks or candles, using dry chemical sponges and HEPA vacuums before any wet cleaning.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.
