Fire damage restoration in Ottawa costs between $5,000 for minor smoke and soot damage to $200,000+ for major structural fire restoration. The average fire restoration project in Ottawa costs $30,000-$80,000. Cost factors include the extent of fire damage (cosmetic vs structural), smoke and soot damage (can affect areas far from the fire), water damage from firefighting efforts, mould remediation if water damage isn't addressed quickly, structural repair or rebuilding, and content restoration o...
Safety first: do not enter the building until the fire department gives clearance. Even after the fire is out, structural instability, toxic gases, and hidden hot spots create serious dangers. Contact your insurance company within 24 hours. Start the claims process immediately — delays can complicate coverage. Document everything with photos and videos before any cleanup begins. Secure the property: board up broken windows and doors to prevent weather damage and unauthorized entry. Your insura...
Phase 1 — Emergency services (days 1-3): board-up and securing, water extraction from firefighting, emergency tarping of roof damage, and initial assessment. A restoration company can begin within hours of fire department clearance. Phase 2 — Assessment and planning (days 3-14): structural engineer assessment ($1,000-$3,000 for fire damage evaluation), insurance adjuster inspection, detailed scope of restoration work, and content inventory (salvageable vs non-salvageable items). Phase 3 — Clea...
Fire restoration is a specialized field different from general contracting. Look for contractors with IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) fire restoration certification, experience specifically with fire and smoke damage (not just general renovation), the ability to handle the insurance claims process (many restoration companies work directly with insurers), and availability for emergency response (24/7 availability is the standard for reputable companies). M...
Fire damage is one of the most complex insurance claims. A public adjuster ($1,000-$5,000 or 10-15% of claim value) can maximize your settlement and manage the claims process. Their expertise is particularly valuable for claims over $50,000. Documentation is critical: inventory all damaged/destroyed contents with descriptions, ages, and replacement values. Photos taken before the fire (family photos, real estate listing photos, social media posts showing your home) help establish pre-fire condi...
Minor smoke/soot damage costs $5,000-$20,000. Moderate fire damage costs $20,000-$80,000. Major structural fire restoration costs $80,000-$300,000+. Most costs are covered by homeowner's insurance.
Yes, homeowner's insurance covers fire damage including structural repairs, content replacement, smoke remediation, and additional living expenses during restoration. Contact your insurer within 24 hours of the fire.
Minor damage takes 2-4 weeks, moderate damage 2-4 months, and major fire restoration 6-12 months. The insurance claims process runs parallel and shouldn't delay restoration work.
Wait for fire department clearance to enter, contact your insurance company within 24 hours, document all damage with photos/video, secure the property, and contact a certified fire restoration company.
Yes, professional smoke remediation using specialized chemicals, thermal fogging, ozone treatment, and deep cleaning can remove smoke odour and soot. The key is acting quickly — the longer smoke residue sits, the harder it is to remove.