Fire Damage Restoration Guide
Why you need a fire damage restoration company
There are three main sources of damage in a house fire: Ash, odor, and water. Ash is the most visible and usually must be cleaned up before you can live in the house again. Odor can often be invisible and not detected until you have settled back in. A qualified fire damage restoration company can inspect the home for hard to find odors and assure you that the home is safe. Water damage can rot your home’s foundation and cause mildew or mold to form in the future. Mold inhalation is very harmful, so it is a good idea to have a fire damage restoration company inspect your home before you and your family return.
Water and smoke damage can seep down into your furniture, making it difficult to see for those with no fire damage restoration experience. A fire damage restoration professional can tell you whether it is worth the money to salvage an item or if it is beyond repair. Fire damage restoration companies can also give you tips on fire-proofing your house in the future.
Cleaning some items on your own can sometimes cause more damage. This is particularly true for clothing and other fabrics that may be stained or discolored by certain cleaning products. Dry cleaning might be safe for some items but not for others. If you are unsure, ask the fire damage restoration company to research the correct way to clean your household items.
Finding a fire damage restoration company
There are a few key questions to ask when shopping for a fire damage restoration company. This might not be a task you are interested in when you are busy dealing with insurance companies and sorting through the damage, but the additional time taken to get the right company is worth the effort. You wouldn’t want to incur another financial loss when the fire damage protection company you chose does not have the right insurance coverage.
Inquire about the fire damage restoration company’s insurance coverage for both worker’s compensation and liability, as well as their bonds. Liability insurance is important to protect yourself in the event that an injury occurs on your property. It might seem such as worker’s compensation coverage is the fire damage restoration company’s business, but it becomes your business if they do not have proper coverage. You will be held liable if one of their employees is injured while working at your home.
You should also ask about the fire damage restoration company’s hiring and screening process. Be sure they have conducted background checks on all employees. Ask about the fire damage restoration training each employee receives upon hiring. Find out if the fire damage restoration company or its employees have earned any professional designations. Of course, this is not proof of competency, it does give some evidence that they have worked in the industry for awhile. Always inquire about any guarantees on the company’s fire damage restoration work. Ideally, you want a 3 month or longer warranty so you have enough time to discover any damage.
Ask about the fire damage restoration process
Once you are satisfied that the fire damage restoration company’s paperwork is sufficient, find out about their cleaning process. Ask what type of cleaning products will be used and how long the full operation should take, from the first damage evaluation to the final inspection of the home after cleaning. Your family will not be able to stay in the house through fire damage restoration, so be sure the project will be completed as quickly as possible. Even if you will be making other housing arrangements, find out if it will be dangerous to be in or around the house during fire damage restoration and cleaning. You might have to go back home to get something you forgot or simply check the mail.
