How much does it cost to repair fire damage?
Fire damage repair is priced from what the fire actually reached: how much of the structure was burned, how far smoke and soot traveled, how much water was used to put it out, and what code and permit work the rebuild triggers. A kitchen fire that stayed in one room and a fire that reached the roof framing are different jobs. We do not publish a price range, because any range would be a guess. You get a written, itemized estimate once the damage has been inspected.
What drives fire damage repair cost
The burn itself: framing, roof structure, floor system, windows and doors that have to be replaced rather than cleaned.
Smoke and soot: how far they traveled through rooms, wall cavities and ductwork. Smoke damage often reaches well beyond the room the fire was in, and porous materials that soaked it up are replaced.
Water: the water used to put the fire out wets drywall, insulation, flooring and subfloor, so most fire losses are also water losses.
Systems and code: wiring, ductwork and plumbing near the fire are often replaced, and rebuilding can bring parts of the house up to the current code.
What is the average cost to rebuild a house after a fire?
There is no honest average for your house, because two fires rarely damage the same things. A rebuild that keeps the foundation and most of the framing is priced very differently from one that replaces the structure.
What a rebuild estimate is made of: demolition and debris removal, structural framing and roofing, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work, insulation and drywall, flooring, cabinets, trim and paint, plus permits and inspections. The quantities for each come from the inspection, and that is where the number comes from.
Permits for fire damage repair
Structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work in a fire rebuild is permitted and inspected by your county or city. Cosmetic work such as paint and finishes usually is not.
The permit office for the property decides what is required, so the estimate should say which permits and inspections are included. See our answers on Maryland interior work permits and Washington, DC permits for how those offices work.
How insurance fits in
On a covered loss, the adjuster writes a scope and a price for the repairs. We price the same work, document the damage as it is opened up, and ask for a supplement where hidden damage is found.
What your policy covers, your deductible and any limits are between you and your insurer. We are not a public adjuster.
How to read a fire repair estimate
It should list the work by trade with quantities, state which materials are being replaced and which are being cleaned and sealed, name the permits and inspections included, and say what is excluded, such as smoke remediation or contents cleaning if another company is doing it.
Send the claim number, the adjuster contact and any scope you have through the insurance intake, or request an estimate, and we will inspect the damage and price it in writing.