Fire Restoration Checklist: What to Document, What to Save, and Who to Call
Surviving a house fire is just the beginning. Once the flames are out and the smoke clears, the road to recovery begins—and it can feel overwhelming. To move forward with clarity, you’ll need a step-by-step process. This checklist will help you document the damage, determine what can be saved, and know exactly who to call for help.
1. Safety First—Wait for Clearance to Enter
Do not re-enter your home until the fire department or authorities say it’s safe. Structural damage, electrical hazards, or toxic air quality can put your health and life at risk.
2. Begin Documentation Immediately
Before touching or moving anything, document the damage thoroughly. This will be essential for your insurance claim and for working with restoration professionals.
- Take photos and videos of every affected area—walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and personal items
- Include close-ups and wide shots to capture both detail and overall context
- Label or list each damaged item, noting make, model, age, and estimated value if possible
3. Make a Room-by-Room Inventory
Create a written or digital inventory of all affected items:
- Mark what’s destroyed, damaged but salvageable, or unaffected
- Separate personal belongings (clothing, electronics, furniture) from structural damage (walls, cabinets, flooring)
- Keep a copy for yourself and one for your insurance adjuster
4. Identify Important Documents and Valuables
Locate critical items that may have survived the fire or will need to be replaced:
- IDs, passports, insurance policies, financial documents
- Birth certificates, Social Security cards, titles and deeds
- Sentimental or irreplaceable items (photos, heirlooms)
If these items are damaged but not destroyed, a restoration company may be able to recover them using specialized techniques.
5. Contact These Professionals Immediately
- Insurance Company – Notify them as soon as possible. Ask about what expenses are covered, including temporary housing.
- Fire Restoration Company – Choose an IICRC-certified team that can handle smoke damage, debris removal, and structural drying.
- Emergency Board-Up and Tarp Services – Prevent weather or theft from causing further damage.
- Electrician or Plumber – If utilities were affected, have licensed professionals assess the safety of your systems before reconnecting power or water.
6. Know What to Save—and What to Let Go
Restoration experts will help evaluate what’s worth saving, but some general guidelines include:
Saveable (with professional cleaning):
- Hard surfaces like metal, tile, or hardwood
- Electronics (if not melted or soaked)
- Smoke-damaged clothing or soft goods (may require ozone or dry cleaning)
Likely Unsalvageable:
- Food or medicine exposed to heat or smoke
- Burned furniture, mattresses, or insulation
- Melted plastics or electronics
7. Track All Expenses
Save receipts for hotel stays, meals, clothing, supplies, transportation, and anything else related to temporary living or restoration. Many homeowners insurance policies will reimburse these costs under loss of use coverage.
8. Set Realistic Expectations
Restoration takes time. Be prepared for assessments, demolition, cleaning, repairs, and inspections. A full recovery can take weeks or even months depending on the severity of the damage.
In Summary
Dealing with the aftermath of a fire is emotional—but with the right checklist and support, you can move forward with confidence. Document thoroughly, save what you can, let go of what’s too far gone, and call in trusted professionals to help you rebuild not just your home, but your sense of peace and safety.
.avif)
