Fire Damage Restoration

Cost depends on the size of the fire, the extent of smoke and soot spread, water damage from suppression, and how much structural rebuilding is needed. A kitchen grease fire with localized smoke damage is a different scope than a fire that burned through multiple rooms. Every job starts with a free written estimate, and we work directly with your insurance company on covered losses.

A small fire with limited smoke damage might take 1 to 2 weeks for cleanup and minor repairs. A significant structural fire that requires full demolition and rebuild can take 2 to 6 months. Your project manager will give you a timeline during the initial assessment and update you weekly.

Yes. Fire damage is covered under virtually all standard homeowner policies, including the structure, contents, and additional living expenses if you cannot stay in the home during restoration. We document everything, submit the scope in Xactimate, and bill your carrier directly.

It depends on the extent of the damage and whether the home is structurally safe. If the fire was contained to one area and the rest of the home is habitable, you may be able to stay. If there is structural compromise, active smoke odor in the HVAC system, or extensive soot contamination, we typically recommend temporary relocation. Your policy should cover additional living expenses.

We use a multi-step approach. First, we remove all soot and charred materials that are the source of the odor. Then we clean surfaces with chemical sponges and detergent. Finally, we use thermal fogging to penetrate porous materials and hydroxyl generators to break down odor molecules in the air. We do not consider the job complete until the odor is gone.

Mitigation is the emergency phase: board-up, debris removal, soot containment, and water extraction from suppression. Restoration is the rebuild phase: structural repairs, drywall, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and paint. Redefined Restoration handles both phases in-house.

Yes. Redefined Restoration holds Illinois License #70156933. Our technicians are IICRC-certified in Fire and Smoke Restoration (FSRT). We carry general liability and workers' compensation on every job

Yes. We prepare the damage documentation, write the Xactimate estimate, submit it to your adjuster, and handle any supplement negotiations. You do not need to manage the back and forth between the restoration company and your carrier.

Do not re-enter the property until the fire department clears it. Contact your insurance company to open a claim. Then call a restoration company to begin emergency board-up and mitigation. The sooner soot and smoke residue are addressed, the more surfaces and contents can be saved.

Yes. Smoke travels through HVAC ducts, wall cavities, and open doorways. It is common for soot and smoke odor to affect rooms on different floors or opposite ends of the house from the fire origin. A thorough assessment of the entire structure is necessary, not just the room where the fire started.