Once the shock of a house fire has passed and you know everyone in your family is safe, it’s time to take action. Partner with your insurance carrier and your local fire damage restoration company to take steps to repair your home and its contents. Review these four steps to streamline the rehabilitation process.

4 After-Fire Actions to Take

1. Obtain a Copy of the Fire Report

Request a copy of this report from your local fire department. It will detail the date and time of the blaze, the source of the fire, and the type and amount of damage incurred. Provide the report to your insurance company to expedite your claim. It represents proof of the fire and documents other relevant information for determining coverage.

2. Make a List of Damaged Property & Contact Your Insurance Company

Take pictures of damage, such as scorched walls and ceilings, ruined furniture and rugs, and weakened flooring, and make an exhaustive home inventory list. Describe each listed item, including brand name, age, serial number, and purchase price. Copies of receipts also help, as do credit card statements.

3. Schedule Fire Damage Restoration

Get your home assessed by a reputable fire damage restoration company as soon as possible to determine the building’s structural integrity. A fire damage repair team will inspect load-bearing walls and other structural components in addition to implementing a cleanup plan using airflow tools and related equipment. Even if the fire was relatively small, restoration services are necessary to prevent lasting smoke and soot damage that soils furniture and clothing and pollutes indoor air.

4. Make Temporary Living Arrangements

Stay with friends or family while awaiting fire damage restoration to keep yourself and your family healthy, if possible. You might also book a hotel room or an Airbnb rental. Seek housing from a disaster-relief agency, if necessary, either the Salvation Army or American Red Cross. If your homeowners insurance policy includes additional living expense (ALE) coverage, you can manage the expense of living elsewhere until it’s time to return home.

Rely on the fire damage restoration team at Bryant Restoration to get back home quickly. This certified water, smoke, fire, and mold remediation company provides services to keep homes throughout southeastern MO healthy and safe. Enjoy transparent pricing without fears of surprise fees. Visit their website for more information about fire restoration, or reach the team at either their Farmington or Poplar Bluff location by calling (573) 986-3260 or (573) 579-8062, respectively.