Fire & smoke damage · Emergency service
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. Most homes have water damage and smoke damage well beyond the room that burned.
Kitchen fires, dryer vents and electrical faults cause most house fires. Even a small fire spreads soot through the HVAC system and into closets and cabinets in other rooms.
Soot is acidic and starts to etch and stain surfaces within days, so cleaning early saves countertops, fixtures and finishes that would otherwise need replacing.
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 All 50 states + D.C.
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Fire damage restoration at a glance
- Category
- Fire & smoke damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Secure
- Area
- All 50 states + D.C.
Signs you need fire damage restoration
- Black or gray residue on walls and ceilings
- Smoke odor throughout the house
- Water damage from fire hoses or sprinklers
- Discolored fixtures and appliances
- Soot around HVAC vents
How the work is done
- 1
Secure
Board-up and roof tarping protect the property from weather and entry.
- 2
Water and debris
Firefighting water is extracted and drying begins; debris and unsalvageable items are documented and removed.
- 3
Soot and smoke cleaning
Dry sponging, HEPA vacuuming and wet cleaning by surface type, with contents packed out for cleaning.
- 4
Deodorize and rebuild
Thermal fogging, hydroxyl or ozone treatment, sealing, then rebuild.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies quote after an assessment. These factors drive the number:
- Size of the fire and smoke spread
- Contents pack-out and cleaning
- Water damage from firefighting
- Odor treatment method
- Structural repairs
What to do right now
Safe to do yourself
- Wait for the fire department to clear the home
- Photograph everything
- Change the HVAC filter and keep the system off until cleaned
Call a professional if…
- Scrubbing soot with water (it smears and sets)
- Running electronics that were in smoke
Fire damage restoration questions
How long does fire restoration take?
Cleaning and odor removal for a small fire can take a week or two. Larger fires with structural rebuild can take months, mostly driven by the insurance scope and permitting.
Can smoke-damaged clothes be saved?
Usually. Specialized laundering and ozone treatment remove smoke odor from most clothing and textiles.
Where this service is available
Available in all 50 states and D.C. These cities have their own local pages:
Related services
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 moreSoot 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 more
Water damage restoration
Water damage restoration removes standing water, dries the structure to a measured dry standard, and repairs or replaces what can't be saved.
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.