Some Guidelines to Fire Damage Restoration
If you own a property that recently experienced fire damage, you are likely looking to get the space back up and running as fast and as safely as possible. For that, you will need experienced fire damage restoration professionals. Here are the things to do and keep in mind when recovering after a fire.
1. Contact Your Insurance Company
The first thing that you need to do when a property that you own has been affected by a fire, after calling the authorities, is to call your insurance provider. They will need to be notified immediately to start the process of assessing the damage and figuring out payouts as a result.
Contacting your insurance provider can help you figure out the next steps after the fire, especially the fire damage restoration process. After all, it’s important that you understand their expectations and guidelines when it comes to budgeting, hiring and paying for fire damage restoration.
2. Assemble the Paperwork
One of the things that an insurance agent will likely provide after a fire is a list of paperwork that they require. This can include things like a fire report and other important documentation about the incident. It’s important that you get as many of, if not all, of the paperwork that they request. Otherwise, there could be issues with your claim.
Of these important pieces of paper, you will want to get the fire report as soon as possible. These are public documents, so request it as soon as you can from your local records department.
3. Get Started on the Mitigation Process
One of the main questions that people have after a fire is “What kind of damage was done?” This is something covered in the mitigation process.
Fire mitigation is an inspection of sorts that figures out any ongoing safety concerns that may arise after the fire is out. This can include things like weakened structures, burst pipes and other issues that can endanger people who are on the property.
4. Start the Restoration Process
Once the property has been deemed safe and you have connected with your insurance company, then it’s time to start the fire damage restoration process. This process includes major renovations and work to bring a space back to life after a fire. Everything from rebuilding to repainting can be covered in this, which is why it’s important to use a company that’s experienced.
A wide range of skills are required for a safe and efficient fire damage restoration process. If you are requiring these services, only ever use experienced professionals. Only they can assemble the team you need to get the space back to normal.
5. If Applicable, Ensure Code Compliance
Depending on the type of building and work done, you may need to contact a professional to ensure that the fire damage restoration is up to code. Code inspections are usually fast and simple processes that involve a representative from the local municipality who ensures the work completed meets specific guidelines. If they are met, then the inspection passes. If they aren’t, a list of things that need to be fixed will be provided.
Note that if you use professional fire damage restoration experts, this step will often be included in their work. This is because they use, or are, tradespeople who understand local codes and guidelines and will include inspections in their work and invoicing. The chance of failing an inspection is also greatly reduced since these experts understand the guidelines and codes, meaning the work will be done faster and correctly.
Get it Done Right – The First Time
Fire damage restoration is a complex process that requires many experts and a lot of careful steps. If you own a property that’s been affected by fire, then the first thing you need to do after calling emergency services is to connect with your insurance provider. After that, you can start assembling the necessary paperwork and contact a local fire damage restoration company to help with the recovery. Only fire restoration experts can help get your property back to its former glory quickly, safely and with as little red tape as possible. Rather than trying to use inexperienced construction companies, it always pays to go with the dedicated professionals who understand fire damage and how to recover after.