Repairing a fire-damaged house can be a challenging and time-consuming task, and it is important to be prepared for the stress and the hard work that it will involve.
In this guide, we’ll go through the process of repairing a fire-damaged house step-by-step.
Table of Contents
Repairing the fire damaged house step-by-step:
Contact your insurance company
The first thing you should do after a fire is to contact your insurance company to make a claim. They will send out an assessor to determine the extent of the damage and provide you with an estimate of the cost of repairs.
It is important to remember that insurance policies often limit how much they will pay out, so if you are underinsured you may need to pay some of the costs yourself. You can hire a loss assessor to act on your behalf and negotiate the best settlement for you – or do it yourself. If you hire a loss assessor, they will take 10% of any pay-out sum, which can be substantial – however, if you are a busy professional, you may see this as a benefit.
In the aftermath of a fire, there may be water damage from the firefighting efforts and foam damage from the fire suppression system. There may also be a strong burning smell that must be addressed. All these factors can contribute to the overall cost of repairs.
How much to fix a fire damaged house?
Once you have an estimate of the cost of repairs by your insurance assessor, it is time to start looking for builders. It is a good idea to get quotes from a few different builders to compare prices and ensure that you are getting the best deal.
Make sure to ask for fixed price quotes rather than estimates, as this will give you a clearer idea of the total cost of the work. It is also a good idea to agree any changes upfront and revise the quotes accordingly, as this will help to avoid any unexpected costs further down the line.
The cost to rebuild a damaged house can vary substantially depending on which builder you speak to. The minute you mention ‘insurance claim,’ the costs will quickly multiply, so be careful.
One of the best practices for getting multiple quotes from builders is to provide them with a detailed description of the work that needs to be done. This should include information about the scope of the project, any materials that will be needed, and any specific requirements or preferences you have.
It is also a good idea to provide builders with drawings or plans if available, as this can help them to provide more accurate quotes.
For example, if you need to repair a fire-damaged house, you could provide builders with a list of the specific repairs that are needed, as well as any information about the materials that will be required. You could also provide them with photographs of the damage to help them understand the extent of the work that needs to be done.
By providing this information to multiple builders, you can get a better understanding of the costs involved and choose the best option for your needs and budget.
The high cost of materials can also be a factor when repairing a fire-damaged house. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be necessary to rebuild certain parts of your home. This could include rebuilding walls, floors, and ceilings, which can be costly.
It is advisable to speak to your insurance company as soon as possible to see what is covered under your policy. They may be able to provide financial assistance towards the cost of repairs and can also help with finding reputable contractors to work with.
It is important to remember that it can take several months to repair a fire-damaged house and even longer if you use different tradesmen for different tasks. Builders are notoriously unreliable or difficult to get hold of because they are working with multiple clients, so it is important to be patient and communicate regularly to ensure that the work is being carried out to your satisfaction.
Dealing with the stress of repairs, being at the property to let builders in or receiving materials, keeping on top of costs and paying them on time can really take its toll on some people. Effectively, you will become a full-time project manager on-site, and this can be a lot to handle if you are already busy with work and other commitments.
Another consideration is that the refurbishment can bring out memories, both good and bad, and this can be a traumatic process, particularly if you are already under stress from dealing with builders, materials, and project managing the refurbishment.
If you are finding the process of repairing a fire-damaged house to be too much to handle, you may want to consider selling the property without doing any of the repairs.
One option is to work with a cash house buyer, who will buy your property quickly. Here at Property Saviour, we will pay around £1,500 towards your legal fees and offer a fast completion. This can be an option if you need to make a fresh start without all the hassle.
In conclusion, repairing a fire-damaged house can be a challenging and time-consuming task, and it is important to be prepared for the stress and hard work that it will involve. If you are finding the process to be too much to handle, you may want to consider selling the property without doing any of the repairs to a cash house buyer such as Property Saviour. We have many genuine reviews from real sellers.
What happens if your insurance company writes off your Fire-Damaged home?
If your insurance company writes off your fire-damaged home, it means that the cost of repairing the damage is greater than the value of the property. In this case, the insurance company may choose to pay out the value of the property rather than repairing it.
The process of getting paid after your insurance company writes off your fire-damaged home can vary depending on the specifics of your policy. It is important to work closely with your insurance company to understand the terms of your policy and what you can expect in terms of a payout.
Typically, it can take several weeks or even months to get paid after your insurance company writes off your home. This is because there may be a lot of paperwork and documentation that needs to be completed before a payout can be made. It is also common for insurance companies to investigate the cause of the fire to determine whether the claim is valid.
Repairing a fire-damaged house can be a complex and costly process. It is important to get a professional assessment of the damage and work with reputable contractors to ensure the necessary repairs are carried out safely and effectively. It is also advisable to speak to your insurance company to see what financial assistance may be available.
If you are in the process of getting your fire-damaged home written off by your insurance company, it is important to stay in close contact with them and follow their instructions. This will help to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible and that you receive the payout you are entitled to as soon as possible.
Often, the emotional trauma of recovering from a fire-damaged house can take years, and many sellers prefer to sell their fire-damaged homes in order to make a fresh start. When the insurance settlement pays the value of your home, you are left with a damaged property that you can’t insure or sell.
This is where Property Saviour can help. We’ll buy your fire-damaged house, pay £1,500 towards your legal fees and complete it within 10 working days. With no fees or deductions, this could offer you the chance to make a fresh start by putting down a deposit on a new house.
