Sell Fire Damaged House Fast
Has your insurance claim settled? Sell fire damaged property in 10 days and make a fresh start.
When a fire starts, it is a devastating experience for any homeowner; it can also make it difficult to sell a property.
So, how do you go about selling a fire-damaged house? Watch this video or read the full article.
Table of Contents
How To Sell Your House With Fire Damage?
Property Saviour is a company that buys fire damaged homes. If you are thinking how can I sell my fire damaged house, the process couldn’t be any simpler.
Here is why you should consider selling your fire damaged property to us:
- Complete the sale within 2 weeks or at your timescale. We are here to support YOU.
- There are no fees or deductions. We'll pay £1,500 towards your legal fees too.
- Cash offer enables you to make a fresh start, with no delays, stress or hassle.
- Is your council harassing you to make the property safe? Sell to us, and we'll take care of it.
Sell with certainty & speed
Why sellers like you trust us?
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
What is a fire-damaged property?
A fire-damaged property is any home, flat, business building, or other place burnt by a fire. The damage can range from minor smoke and water damage to the destruction of the whole property by the fire.
When a property is damaged by fire, it usually costs a lot of money to fix it up before people can safely live or work there again and restore it to its original state. In some cases, the damage is so bad that the whole building may need to be knocked down and rebuilt.
But there are times when you might want to sell the property. Of course, this can be difficult, depending on how badly it was damaged.
Other options include claiming on your insurance, although claims are mainly for the costs of rebuilding, the lost value of the property, and fees for relocating if people had to move out.
Speak to your insurance company to see what they can do. Depending on your policy, you might be able to get them to pay for the repairs and then sell the house after it has been fixed up.
Where do most residential fires start?
According to the London Fire Brigade, most fires start in the kitchen due to the high heat involved in cooking. They can also erupt in any room, such as electrical wiring problems or overheating batteries can also combust.
According to the Home Office, smoker’s fires cause up to 20% of casualties.
If the fire is put out quickly, it causes minimal cosmetic damage, such as soot deposits on walls, flooring and ceiling. However, if the fire is extensive, then it can severely affect the structural integrity of the house, such as destroyed wooden support beams.
Another cause of the fire is a deliberate arson attack, sadly.
In our experience, tenants are growing cannabis into properties by short-circuiting the electrics, and this is causing a fire. As insurance companies call this activity malicious damage by tenants, it is not covered on your standard buy-to-let policy.
The history of the fire will have to be disclosed to any potential buyer, meaning that the property’s value will be affected negatively.
How does fire affect property value?
Unfortunately, the value of a fire-damaged home will decrease due to increased insurance premiums and the fact that buyers prefer non-damaged homes.
The process of restoring a fire-damaged home is time-consuming and stressful, so you may be better off selling ‘as is’ and using your settlement to buy a new home.
Can you sell a fire damaged house?
Yes, you absolutely can, but you will need to sell to a cash buyer.
Whether your property is charred from an electrical appliance fire, smoke damage from a cooking fire, structurally unsound following an arson attack or fully burnt to the ground, you will find it extremely difficult to sell through a typical estate agent due to the risk of being sued following an injury during the viewings.
Mortgage lenders will often rule these extremely damaged properties as “unmortgageable”, meaning you will need to look for a cash buyer who is able to buy the property from funds in their bank.
That’s where we come in. We will buy any property for cash.
We’ll even buy your fire-damaged commercial property too. Let us prove that we are genuine commercial property buyers. We will complete the purchase within two weeks or sooner because we don’t need bank finance.
As humans, we hold a lot of emotions regarding our properties. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer a fire in the home you were living in, firstly, our heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your loved ones. You may be entitled to Government help.
Sell with certainty & speed
What can you do with fire damaged property?
If you are at the start of the process with your building insurance company, we can still assist you with your claim for fire damage to your property, ensuring you get the maximum pay-out. Read more about what does a loss assessor do?
It’s like having a solicitor acting for you but with building surveyor’s experience.
They will review the damage caused by the blaze, conduct any specialist thermal imaging to test for damp and structural issues and recommend repairs.
They take their fee from the settlement figure so you can feel assured there will be no extra cost to you, your family or your business.
Sell with certainty & speed
How does insurance work on a house fire?
Your insurance company will appoint a loss adjuster who will start an investigation. A preliminary fact-finding meeting will take place between you and the loss adjuster. After this, the insurance will accept or deny liability.
Assessing the Damage
The first step in selling a fire-damaged house is to thoroughly assess the extent of the damage. This involves:
- Contacting your insurance company: Inform them about the fire and initiate the claims process.
- Hiring a professional inspector: A qualified loss adjustor will provide a detailed report on the structural integrity of the property and identify hidden damage. You can also hire a qualified loss assessor to act for you.
- Documenting everything: Take photographs and videos of the damage for your records and potential buyers.
- Obtaining repair estimates: Insurance company will get quotes from reputable builders to understand the cost of repairs.
Will my home insurance cover the full cost of repairs after a fire?
This depends on your specific policy. Some policies offer full replacement cost cover, while others may only cover the actual cash value of damaged items. Check your policy wording carefully and discuss the details with your insurance provider.
To Repair or Not to Repair?
One of the most significant decisions you’ll face is whether to repair the property before selling or to sell it ‘as-is’.
Consider the following factors:
- Insurance pay out: Will your insurance cover the cost of repairs?
- Time constraints: Do you have the time to oversee repairs?
- Market conditions: Is there demand for renovation projects in your area?
- Financial situation: Can you afford to fund repairs if insurance doesn’t cover everything?
Pricing Your Fire-Damaged Property
Determining the right price for a fire-damaged house can be tricky. Here are some tips:
- Consider the cost of repairs and subtract this from the potential value of the fully restored property.
- Be realistic about the property’s current condition and its impact on potential buyers.
Tried and Tested Selling Options
These are tried and tested ways to sell an fire damaged property:
- Auction: This can be an effective way to sell quickly, especially for properties in need of significant work. However, there are upfront costs for legal paperwork and you will need to set a very low guide price.
- Cash buyers: Companies such as Property Saviour specialising in buying damaged properties can offer a quick sale, albeit often at a lower price because we need to make small profit.
- Part-exchange: Some developers may offer to buy your damaged property as part of a deal on a new-build home.
What to do after a house fire insurance Pay out?
If you found us after receiving the fire damage pay-out from your insurance company, we can act quickly to buy your property for the best price, with minimal hassle.
Please get in touch with our sympathetic and experienced team for a no-obligation chat.
Your responsibility towards public safety
As the owner, you are responsible for cleaning up the property after a fire however, you can sell it as it is.
However, if you have received your settlement, you may wish to install metal fence panels to stop children or any public member from being seriously hurt by loose roof tiles.
Your neighbours may also report you to the council who will harass you to repair the roof or issue an enforcement notice against you.
Useful Tips for Selling a Fire-Damaged House
- Secure the property: Ensure the house is safe and inaccessible to trespassers.
- Address odours: Use professional deodorising services to eliminate smoke smells.
- Be patient: Selling a damaged property often takes longer than a standard sale.
- Consider staging: If parts of the house are undamaged, consider staging these areas to show the property’s potential.
- Offer flexible viewing times: Be accommodating to serious buyers who may want multiple visits with builders.
Sell with certainty & speed
Selling a house damaged by arson, vandalism or deliberate fire
Some of our clients have been victims of deliberate house fires or have had their investment property or business premises set alight. Typical motives for arson can include:
- Disputes with a drug dealing neighbour
- Arguments with neighbours
- Relationship revenge
- Insurance fraud
- Deliberate vandalism
Sell with certainty & speed
Insurance companies will want to ensure there is no way you committed the act yourself or did anything fraudulent for monetary gain. You may have to undergo distressing interviews by the Police, make witness statements or even appear in court to give testimony.
All these processes sit heavy on your mental well-being and leave little room for thinking about the financial and legal challenges of selling a house.
Can I sell a fire-damaged house without making any repairs?
Yes, you can sell a fire-damaged house ‘as-is’, but be prepared for a lower selling price. Here at Property Saviour, we restore fire damaged homes.
How long does it typically take to sell a fire-damaged house?
We will buy any fire damaged property within 2 weeks of receipt of contracts. Send us photos, accept our offer and complete at your desired completion date.
I found Property Saviour to be very honest and entirely transparent in their dealings with me.
How to repair a fire damaged a fire damaged house?
Fire-damaged restoration can be costly. If you opt to repair and renovate a house damaged by fire, you must ensure that the workmanship and attention to detail are professional and thorough.
This can, of course, be costly as you can’t leave any stone unturned.
Fire damage is not just constricted to burned furniture and charred possessions. You’ll need to consider:
- Removing all the soot from the walls and ceilings.
- Replacing any woodwork, doors, architraves and skirting which was singed or charred.
- Replacing any metal appliances that have melted or warped under immense heat.
- Checking electrical wiring for signs of damage and rewiring where necessary.
- Plumbing pipes, whether copper or plastic waste pipes, may have twisted or become disconnected.
- Carpets will smell of smoke or chemicals used to ignite the fire. So even if they were not in the room that caught fire, they would still need replacing; otherwise, they can cause severe respiratory issues.
- The roof timbers and structure could be unsound and let in water, causing mould or rot.
- Window frames can become distorted or damaged.
- Glass may have cracked or shattered.
- Plastic goods can leave a molten pool of remains that need scraping off surrounding surfaces.
The labour and material costs involved in restoring a fire damaged property to its former habitable state will mount up quickly.
How much does fire damage restoration cost?
Fire damage restoration costs depend on the extent of the damage. Following a viewing, builders are likely to give you an inflated figure if they find out it is ‘an insurance claim’.
Restoring a house after a fire takes money, patience and time.
But how much does it cost to restore a house after a fire?
Service required | Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
Fire damage restoration cost | £750 - £100,000 | £39,997 |
Fire damage clean up cost | £2,500 - £24,697 | £14,890 |
Smoke damage cleaning cost | £500 - £1,500 | £559 |
Fire damage restoration hourly rate per person | £50 - £75 | £60 |
Key factors influencing the cost of fire damage restoration
These factors will determine the cost of restoration:
- Property size
- Extent of damage
- Type of damage
- Cause of fire
- Location
Property size
Any builder will ask you for the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms affected by the fire. Smaller properties such as a 1-bed flat will be cheaper to restore than a five-bed detached dwelling.
Extent of damage
The biggest cost of fire restoration is the structural cost; after this services such as plumbing and electrics will be affected. Then you have cosmetic costs of plastering, decorating and installing kitchens & bathrooms.
type of damage
Whether it is smoke, soot, water, fire, chemical, or structural damage, these will have an impact on the final costs.
Cause of fire
If the fire starts in a bedroom, it will likely affect the ceiling and the roof joists. Equally, kitchen fires tend to be more aggressive and spread quickly.
Location
With higher material costs, the cost of restoration is likely to be similar in most parts of the UK due to a shortage of skilled builders.
Equally, you should expect to pay more in rural areas and central London.
How do you restore a burnt house?
Suppose you try to do any fire restoration on a budget using cheaper builders, friends or family. In that case, you risk important safety aspects being missed, and the work may not pass relevant inspections by Building Inspectors or Surveyors.
Any substandard repair or restoration work which needs to be stripped out and done again will ultimately add to the cost and length of the project. This will eat into potential rental income or delay the sale process.
Why wait months to sell your burnt-down house? You can sell your property to us and move on with your life, often within a few weeks!
We are caring, supportive and explain every step to make you more comfortable.
Fire damage house restoration Cost calculator
How to Use the Fire Damage Restoration Cost Calculator.
This calculator is designed to help property owners in the UK and US estimate the potential costs of restoring a fire-damaged property. Here’s how to use it:
- Enter the total floor area of your property and select the unit (m² or ft²).
- Choose the severity of fire damage (minor, moderate, or severe).
- Select the age range of your property.
- Choose your country (UK or US).
- Select your specific region (UK) or state (US).
- Choose your property type.
- Enter your insurance excess/deductible amount.
- Click “Calculate Cost” to get your estimate.
By providing a ballpark figure, the calculator can help reduce some of the uncertainty and stress associated with fire damage recovery. Remember, while this calculator provides a useful estimate, it’s not a substitute for professional assessment.
Fire Damage Restoration Cost Calculator
Does the seller have to disclose a house fire to the buyer?
In short, yes. You must disclose that the property has been burned, even if you have since restored it.
Property descriptions must be truthful
The UK law states that a property description must be accurate and not misleading.
It is essential to disclose to potential buyers that your property was damaged by fire or arson, even if it is now renovated to an excellent standard.
At Property Saviour, we carry out just one discreet viewing; there’s no advertising publicly and ensuring your details stay safe from the National Press.
Disclosure Requirements
In the UK, it’s essential to be upfront about the fire damage when selling your property. Failure to disclose this information could lead to legal issues later. Be prepared to provide:
- A detailed account of the fire incident
- Insurance claim documents
- Professional inspection reports
- Repair estimates or invoices for work already completed
Sold a property through Saddat at Property Saviour. Always a pleasure to deal with him. Always comes back to you if there is a problem.
Why Not sell your fire damaged house quickly for cash?
If you sell your fire-damaged home to a cash buyer like Property Saviour, we are experienced at buying unmortgageable properties in poor condition across England & Wales, so rest assured we will be honest with you throughout.
We will accept the property from you in its current condition, so you don’t need to worry about fixing it.
Setting the right price – not too high, not too low
We’ll offer you a fair cash price for a guaranteed quick sale. Our builders will take care f restoring the property. The whole process can take up to 10 days or quicker.
Your other options are to sell via an estate agent however, you are unlikely to find a cash buyer due to economic uncertainty. Estate agents are notoriously unreliable too.
You may consider auctioning your house but this needs a lot of careful consideration.
Firstly, you will have to pay upfront fees (entry fee, legal fees and searches), put in a very low guide price and there’s no guarantee that you will sell.
You will have to allow a month before the auction for marketing and wait up to 56 after the auction. If the buyer pulls out, the auctioneer keeps their commission and you are invited to pay all those fees again for the next auction and wait for a few more months.
Should I sell my fire damaged Property?
People sell their fire-damaged and burnt property to us for many reasons.
We have the cash ready right now to buy your house, and we aim to:
- Ease the emotional side of the process for you.
- Give you a fair price you will be happy with.
- Remove the worry of having to take photos and do marketing mailshots.
- Deal with the solicitors, conveyancing and legal requirements.
- Ensure any viewings are carried out discreetly without neighbours knowing.
- Assist you with temporary accommodation where appropriate.
- Declutter and clean up remaining possessions.
- Ensure confidentiality if you have any involvement with police or courts.
- Instruct surveyors and building inspectors where needed.
- Insure the property on the day we buy it from you.
What Makes Us Different & Better?
Property Saviour is well respected property-buying company. We’re grateful to receive lots of referrals from our happy clients.
Our friendly team covers the whole of England and Wales. We travel to meet clients on-site, whenever circumstances allow.
We have 5-star Google and Trust Pilot reviews that you can read online.
If you’re concerned about the legitimacy of any offer you’ve been given, please feel free to call us to discuss it. We know of many of the key players in the industry.
You have to ensure that you are dealing with 100% genuine cash property buyers as unfortunately in sell house quick industry, there are scams.
We have been buying houses in Yorkshire and the rest of England since 2003.
I found these guys online and was a little bit sceptical at first as I've read horror stories about some house buying companies. They said they would pay my legals so it was no risk and it ended up being super easy.
How to sell a burned-out house?
Start the process of selling your burnt house by filling in our enquiry form and telling us about where the property is.
Our team will then assess your house, either in person or initially by video call, and give you a fair cash offer considering the level of damage caused by the fire and the amount of effort needed to make it habitable.
A fair cash price with no strings
This price will allow us the financial scope to renovate the house with our chosen builders.
We offer you the best possible price, which will then allow you to move on quickly.
We will complete the sale in as little as 10 days!
We'll show you the money!
We are genuine cash buyers and can prove funds in the bank.
You can trust us to deliver on our promises. Accept our offer and tell us when you want to complete the sale.
Beware of dodgy cash house buyer scams
Please be aware many unscrupulous cash house-buying companies out there will give you an initial offer higher than ours but keep you waiting while they try to secure the funds.
Then delaying and stalling endlessly and trying to renegotiate the price with you when you feel you’re near the end. Their new price is much lower than our original cash offer. We’ll never reduce our offer price.
Our client success stories and case studies will give you a good idea of the range of property selling issues we deal with. Even if your issue isn’t listed on this page, please call us to chat about your individual needs.
Sell with certainty & speed
Does a house lose value after a fire?
Unfortunately, depending on the extent of the fire, a house can lose substantial value because it becomes unmortgageable.
You are strongly advised to claim on your insurance policy.
Fire-damaged properties always carry a stigma, and you must declare to your future buyer if there’s been a fire, and any buyer is expected to pay higher insurance premiums as a result of the claim.
Does building insurance cover alternative accomodation?
Your building home insurance should cover you for hotel accommodation in the event of a fire. However, the cover depends on how comprehensive the policy is.
Not all policies provide this cover, as you will get what you pay for. If you need help with an insurance claim or are looking to sell your fire-damaged house, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a chat.
Can you get a mortgage on a fire damaged property?
No. A fire-damaged house is deemed to be uninhabitable and, therefore, isn’t mortgageable.
If you are thinking of selling, only a true cash buyer, such as Property Saviour, will be able to buy it.
How much does it cost to repair a fire damaged house?
The cost depends on the extent of the fire damage. Fire, smoke and water or foam used by the fire brigade damaged walls, ceilings, wooden joists, electrical cables and plumbing.
Even if the fire is contained within one room, the smoke smell can cling to carpets, windows and doors.
This means a full rip-out becomes necessary to eliminate the odour and make the property safe again.
How much does a fire damaged house sell for?
It depends on the extent of the fire. Once you have received a settlement figure from the insurance company, sellers prefer to sell to a specialist such as Property Saviour.
The emotional impact of fire means that sellers prefer a fresh start.
Is Auctioning a fire damaged house a good idea?
On paper, auctioning a fire-damaged property may seem like a great idea until you start looking into it:
- Upfront fees of up to £1,500 or more paying for searches, auction entry fees and legal fee for the auction pack;
- Putting in a low guide price and, therefore, risking a potential financial loss if there’s no interest generated;
- Picking the wrong property auctioneer as some charge buyers hefty fees resulting in a lower price achieved or worst no sale at all;
- You must allow up to 3 months for auction timeframe so auctions aren’t quick. 1 month of marketing pre-auction to generate interest and another month post auction it it sells;
- There’s no guarantee of a sale despite all of the above.
Why not sell the property for cash instead?
How do I sell my fire damaged property?
You can sell your fire-damaged property to us.
We can make you a cash offer, pay £1,500 towards your legal fee and complete within 5-10 days.
Sell with certainty & speed
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
