Fire Damage Restoration

Preserve the Structure

Are you seeking fire damage restoration? Know this: All insurance policies require you to preserve the property so that the insurance company adjuster will have the opportunity to complete their investigation and inspections. Do not allow contractors to start any work until your Public Adjuster has completed the claims process, has the final estimate in hand and has obtained final your claim settlement payment. Your Public Adjuster is your private insurance claim consultant and will advise you as to when it is appropriate to begin the fire damage restoration process.

Fire Damage Restoration Companies are usually the first to show up when there’s a structure fire.  Many will be waiting with bated breath while the fire is still burning.  The initial job of a fire mitigation and restoration company is to clean up the mess, preserve and protect the home and your personal items and contents so that further damage will not occur.

• Always check references of contractors by calling previous clients or checking with the Better Business Bureau.

• Be suspicious of any contractor that tries to rush you, offers to represent you against the insurance company or pay your deductible.

• Get three written estimates for the work and compare bids.  This is not find the lowest price, but to determine when compared to our Public Adjuster estimate, which contractor has the most accurate estimate.

• Always have a written detailed contract that clearly states what the contractor will do, including prices for labor and materials, clean-up procedures and estimated start and finish dates. Never sign a contract with blank spaces which can be altered after you sign.

• Never pay the full amount upfront or with cash. Use a check or credit card to maintain a record of your payments to the contractor.

• Pay for work as it is completed in installments. If you have a mortgage on the home, your mortgage company may require an escrow account and review work before installment payments are made to ensure the home is actually repaired to the original condition.