Experiencing a fire can be devastating, leaving you with not just the emotional stress - but a daunting list of tasks to restore your property. From fire and smoke damage to water damage caused by sprinklers and hoses, the clean-up can feel endless.
However, by breaking it down into manageable steps, here’s how you can make the process less intimidating and get back on your feet more quickly.
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Once professionals have declared the building safe, it's time to take stock of the smoke and fire damage. Even if the damage looks to be mostly cosmetic, don't forget to check concealed areas and consider if there could be any structural issues, even in rooms that weren’t directly affected.
Tip: Don’t assume undamaged areas are fine—hidden issues can be where you least expect them. A professional inspection may be required.
Step 2: Document Everything
Before diving into a clean-up of a fire damaged house, as home insurance repair specialists, we advise taking plenty of photos to document the damage. This will be crucial for your property insurance claim.
Do not dispose of any items or carry out any reinstatement work until your insurance company or their representatives have had opportunity to inspect the the damage and also the contents.
Step 3: Prevent Further Damage
Even after the fire is out, the damage can continue. If the property is insecure or isn’t water tight, this can cause further deterioration on the building fabric and mould. It’s also a good idea to move any salvageable contents to a safe place and start to making a list of your contents.
Tip: Acting quickly is crucial. Not taking preventative action or Delaying restoration can lead to permanent damage.
Step 4: Remove Water and Moisture
Next up is dealing with any water damage. Standing water or moisture absorbed into the property needs to be removed quickly. We can help by bringing in air movers and dehumidifiers to dry everything out thoroughly.
Tip: Address water damage as early as you can to avoid mould and other stubborn, long-term issues. If the fire and water damage are significant, some stripping out work is usually required before drying equipment is installed.
Step 5: Start Redecorating
Now that your property is safe, dry, and clean, you can start redecorating. Some prefer to wait for insurance payments to clear, while others jump right in. Our team of contractors can help with all your fire damage repairs and redecorating needs, ensuring everything is done quickly and carefully.
Generally, when a property has suffered fire damage it requires extensive repairs before this step, i.e. rewire, heating and plumbing works, joinery, plumbing, tiling and plastering. You may need to obtain several quotes, go through a tendering process and appoint a surveyor, as the claims tend to be in the region of £100K
Tip: Make sure your property is fully dry and clean before starting any redecorating to avoid redoing work at a later date.
Repairing a fire-damaged house can be a big job, but you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re based in the North West and need help, give us a call at 01254 665 333. We’re here to assist you every step of the way, free of charge.