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Disaster restoration crews are cross-trained to deal with ozone, asbestos, crime scene, and fire, as well as water damage.
The most immediate concern after any fire is to stop the damage from getting worse. Typically, you have a 72-hour window to remove smoke from fabric before it becomes saturated. Therefore, the disaster restoration crew’s first priority is to come in and remove all linens, curtains, clothing, fabric-covered furniture, even lamp shades and have them cleaned as soon as possible.
You may be asked to provide a list of items that you need back right away — personal items which you use daily; sheets, towels, clothes, and essential kitchen items for your now ‘nomad’ lifestyle.. These items get cleaned and returned right away.
Sorting everything you own into piles of what is worth cleaning and keeping and what is not can be a difficult task. The restoration crew will help empty out the house in preparation for the demolition and reconstruction phase. They still need to determine if that cost — versus tearing down the house and putting up a trailer — would be more feasible. Demolition and rebuilding could take three to six months of displaced living.
Build Back to Code
Dealing with an older, turn-of-the-century home that does not meet code can be your biggest consternation. We suggest updating your homeowner’s insurance policy regularly to include a rider that covers the cost of bringing your home up to current building code requirements.
When damage to one area of your home requires replacing old wiring that does not meet current codes, individual county ordinances may require the rest of the home’s wiring be brought up to code too. (Same applies for plumbing, window sill height and fire blocks.)
Those changes are not cheap. Code upgrade is not something your insurance company typically tells you about, but it is something everyone should have. Therefore, it’s also a good idea to check with your local building department about what permits and code improvements they require.
Finding a Contractor
Typically you have a few days to figure out who you want to do the repairs. If your are lucky, you will find a restoration company that also specializes in the repairs and reconstruction of your home. If this is the case, consider yourself lucky that you do not have to deal with a number of different companies to return your life to order. Many restoration companies do not offer this service. Be sure to ask them, and base your decision on their answer. If you hire a company that does not offer reconstruction services, to find a good contractor, ask someone you know who has had work done recently. Get three bids, and if possible, ask for ‘fixed price’ ones rather than ‘time and material bids.’ Get this information in writing, not just verbally. A contractor will be more conscientious of the number of trips to go get parts when paid a fixed price, rather than by the hour.
Homeowners are looking at an average of $130 to $150 a square foot for construction costs in today’s market. Older homes could even be more to restore to ‘before fire’ condition, as the quality of materials used in older homes are often hard to find today.
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