How to Estimate Fire Damage to a Business

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage to a restaurant in Phoenix, AZ.

How to Estimate Fire Damage to a Business

Fires are one of the most common disasters to strike businesses. Fortunately, most fires in Phoenix, AZ, are small and easily dealt with. However, every year in the U.S., there are over 100,000 fires, with fire damage losses to commercial properties exceeding $2.4 billion annually.
Generally, the damage estimate is done by either the insurance adjuster or a qualified Preferred Vendor. In most cases, it’s in your interest to choose a restoration expert to make a solid appraisal based on the damage and circumstances.

The Factors in the Assessment

By far the largest factor in your estimate is the amount of damage. Three areas of damage are examined:

• Smoke damage
• Heat damage
• Water damage
  
  

If the commercial fire was tiny, put out immediately and the soot is contained in a small area, you may be able to clean it yourself. If you need a restoration specialist for very small jobs, the cost may not exceed your insurance deductible.

A Good Time To Have Fire Insurance

If the fire damage is widespread, you’ll need to make an insurance claim. If you don’t have insurance, your restoration expert may find you low-cost options to reduce the sting. In widespread fires like wildfires, there may be disaster grants available, too.

Insurance Adjusters and Restoration Specialists

Insurance companies and restoration experts work closely together to ensure high-quality standards, but each may have different goals. When you choose an experienced commercial fire damage restoration company to do the assessment, their goal will be to get you the highest-quality restoration.

In many cases, items can be restored instead of replaced. This can help keep a place looking more authentic, along with saving items that you’d prefer to keep. The fire mitigation company will have a much better idea about what their custom soot and smoke cleanup solvents will be able to save and what must be replaced.

The estimate process should be transparent, and you should ask any questions that arise as it’s explained to you. With reputable companies, you’ll get a rock-solid estimation and can quickly start to rebuild your business.