Fire Damage Restoration What To Do After A Home Fire?

At EnVille, we’ve worked with many fire damage victims in the past, so we understand what you are going through following a home fire. Our staff is here to support you through the entire recovery process.

A home fire is both physically and mentally draining for fire damage victims. It can be very overwhelming and difficult to know where to begin with the fire and smoke damage restoration process. So here’ a quick overview of things you should do and keep in mind following a home fire.

1. Contact your insurance company: Your insurance company will be your partner in moving forward, so you should be in regular contact with them throughout the clean-up process. First of all, it’s important to talk with your home insurance company or agent about the immediate needs that your house requires, such as pumping water and covering doors and windows. In addition, you should prepare to make a list of everything that was damaged in the fire and how much you paid for those items.

2. Returning home: If your local fire department has given you the okay to return to your home after a fire, you must keep safety in mind. Do not return to your home unless the fire department says that it is okay to do so. If the fire departments has turned off your utilities, there’s probably a good reason so don’t try to turn on these utilizes yourself. Soot and water following a home fire could make you sick, so try to limit your exposure to them.

3. Restoration and repair: Working with your insurance company, begin contacting professional fire and smoke restoration companies to assist with the fire damage restoration and repairs. These companies know how to ensure that your home is not only clean but also safe to live in following a home fire. Overall, you should not try to clean the walls, furniture or appliances yourself as you might do more harm than good to these items as well as your health.

Make sure you speak with your insurance company regularly about who will pay for these services. In addition, keep all receipts for expenses that you incur due to the fire, so you can submit them for reimbursement from your insurance company.

Overall, it’s important to find a restoration company that you trust as they will be responsible for your personal items as well as your home. Make sure that you tell your restoration company of any belongings that might have important or sentimental value to you, so they can process them accordingly.

During fire and smoke restoration, you’ll need to vacate your property. Your restoration company will provide an estimate as to how long this will take, which usually depends on the level of damage.

4. Find a place to stay: Even if you have family and friends nearby, staying with them could pose a burden to both of you, straining your relationship in the end. In addition, your insurance company may pay for temporary housing during the fire damage restoration process. At EnVille, we will work with you and your insurance company to help you find a place to stay during this difficult time.

5. Replacing documents: During a fire, many of your important documents might have been damaged or lost. It’s important to replace these documents as soon as possible, so contact your landlord/mortgage company, credit card companies, and government agencies.

If you have recently experience a home fire and are looking for a place to stay, contact the EnVille team today. We have the experience to help you through this difficult time in your life and will work with your insurance company to ensure that your temporary housing is as comfortable as possible. Contact us today!