Fires are one of the worst catastrophes that can strike a homeowner. It is important to remember, however, that fire damage can be repaired and homes can be replaced. Even if the immediate aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming, there are steps you can take to make the process go more smoothly and easily. Approaching your house restoration process in a methodical fashion can help you to get back into your home more quickly and ensure that the damage is repaired competently and correctly.

Always Contact Your Insurance Company First

Before doing anything else, be sure to contact your insurance company and begin the claims process. Not only will your insurance company help you to arrange for temporary accommodations if your house is currently uninhabitable, but they will want to begin work with restoration contractors almost immediately. Many homeowners are shocked by how quickly certain steps are taken in the days following a fire, so it is important that you begin working with your claims agent as soon as possible.

Arrange for an Evaluation

Once you're in touch with your insurance company, your agent will likely want to arrange for an assessment. In fact, it's likely that there will be many assessments performed on your house in the coming days. Your insurance company will send several adjusters to inspect the property, checking for damage to the structure as well as the interior contents. Additionally, your restoration company will want to perform their own evaluation to determine the extent of the damage. This initial evaluation is often not comprehensive, but instead simply intended to determine how much of the structure can be saved.

Secure the Property

Although it may seem that the worst has already happened, the weeks following a fire can be especially hard on your home. If portions of the roof or walls have collapsed or burnt out, then your home is now exposed to the elements. This can lead to serious water damage or mold growth, and unsupported sections of the house may now be in danger of further collapse. Your restoration company will attempt to secure the property as best as possible, generally by boarding up broken walls and windows and placing tarps on exposed sections of the roof.

Moving Forward

Once the property has been evaluated and secured, you can begin to move onto the actual repair and restoration process. This will be the lengthiest and most complex part of your returning your home to its original condition, but if you took the proper steps early on, then it will likely proceed with few problems. By this point, your restoration company is likely already familiar with the property and the extent of the damage, so work can usually proceed with few complications. Once clean-up and repair have been completed, you will be able to return to a home that will likely be better than ever.

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