Fire damage restoration in Washington

Plan for fire and smoke damage

Fire damage can affect the roof, exterior, rooms, surfaces, and belongings in different ways. List what you know was touched by fire, smoke, soot, heat, or water used during firefighting. If the extent is unclear, describe that uncertainty and begin with an assessment.

Restoration work may involve cleanup, soot on surfaces, odor concerns, air treatment, structural drying, or decontamination. List the most urgent needs to focus the review and identify where a specialist may be needed. Describe smoke or soot by room and exterior area, and separate surfaces to clean from belongings needing a different handling plan.

Separate cleanup and rebuilding

Separate property protection, cleanup, and rebuilding in the work plan. Name the areas to be secured or cleaned, materials to be removed, and what counts as reconstruction. The bid should state whether contents, ventilation equipment, structural components, and exterior roofing are included or referred elsewhere.

Compare the proposed documentation, equipment or products, and how each part of the scope will be checked. If a condition falls outside the service, get a clear referral or handoff description.

• Affected rooms, surfaces, roof areas, and contents.
• Fire, smoke, soot, and water-from-suppression concerns.
• Cleanup, drying, odor work, and reconstruction boundaries.
• Provider qualifications, documentation, and separate referrals.

Document the damage safely

Follow directions from the authorities managing the incident. Once the property is safe to document, record the incident date, affected rooms or exterior areas, visible water, and temporary work. Keep estimates, receipts, and provider records together.

For an insurance claim, confirm what photos, measurements, or work descriptions the provider supplies. Direct policy questions and claim deadlines to your insurer; contractor records describe the work.

Request a fire recovery review

For a fire recovery review, share the city, incident date, damage you can identify, and whether you need cleanup, temporary protection, or rebuilding. Follow directions for the incident site and list which parts of the recovery need attention.

Check the contractor record through Washington L&I and compare affected areas, written scope, exclusions, documentation, and change process.