How Long Does it Take to Rebuild Your Home After a Fire?
When a fire breaks out in your home, the flames quickly harm the building and your personal belongings. While the fire destroys anything in its path, it also produces corrosive byproducts ― such as smoke and soot ― that cause an additional layer of damage. Because of this, fires need to be extinguished immediately.
The longer a fire burns, the more damage it will cause your home. If it causes enough damage, then your home might be left in an unstable condition, making it vulnerable to further harm. In the event that your home is unstable following a fire, it will need to be rebuilt.
Standard fire damage restoration services alone will not be sufficient in getting your property to its pre-loss state. However, this can take some time, so you may wonder just how long the process takes. It is understandable to want to return to your home as soon as possible, but the length of rebuilding a home depends on various factors.
If you are curious about the length of a fire-damaged home reconstruction process, then refer to the following information. Numerous things need to be considered to determine the length of the home reconstruction process following a fire. The time required to rebuild a home after a fire varies depending on the severity of the fire damage and your budget for fire damage restoration and reconstruction.
The Severity of the Fire Damage
A primary factor in determining how long rebuilding a home takes after a fire is the extent of the damage. The more harm the fire has caused, the longer the fire damage restoration and reconstruction process will take. When a fire damages your home, harm is done by the flames, smoke, soot, odors, and even the water used to extinguish the fire.
Knowing this, numerous layers of damage need to be addressed. You will need help from fire damage professionals, but also contractors, architects, engineers, and even mold specialists.
For example, if a small fire breaks out in your kitchen, and the damage is contained there, then the fire damage restoration process will concern that small affected area. The damaged area first needs to be cleaned and assessed. From there, you need to find fire damage specialists and contractors to handle the restoration and repairs. Finding help can be the longest step, but repairs can likely be done in 1-to 2 days.
However, if a large fire has occurred, then rebuilding a home can be a lengthy process. In some cases, reconstruction can be completed in a couple of weeks. In more severe instances, rebuilding a home will take months.
Your property needs to be thoroughly cleaned before the fire damage can be evaluated. An evaluation is crucial because it allows the fire damage professionals working on your home to create a restoration and reconstruction plan. So expect lengthier reconstruction times if the fire was large.
Your Budget for Fire Damage Restoration and Reconstruction
If you have enough money, then rebuilding a home after a fire can be an easier task. With financial freedom, you can more easily hire the professional fire damage repair help you need. But that is not the case for many individuals.
With a tighter budget, it can take longer to figure out which professional services you can afford but still meet your needs. The same can be said if you do not have sufficient insurance coverage.
Ideally, your home should be insured to its reconstruction value, but you may need help figuring out the exact coverage. Immediately contact your insurance representative after a house fire. They can help you figure out which costs are covered and what you will need to pay out of pocket.
The technology to extinguish fire in your house or apartment
A fire damage restoration can take from three weeks to over a month. However, if your house or apartment is equipped with modern fire extinguisher technology, the restoration process can become shorter and more straightforward.
- Mist firefighting system
Unlike typical firefighting systems used for apartments and office buildings, the modern misting system will spray millions of water droplets with tiny sizes to increase the contact area between water and the fire, hence, quickly extinguishing the fire.
The effect of this system is equivalent to that of a fire extinguisher. The mist system can be used on a large scale to help control a fire as quickly as possible in a building.
- The acoustic extinguisher
The acoustic extinguisher will use sound waves to separate flammable substances from oxygen, preventing the fire from spreading further.
The sound waves emitted from the device will also help extinguish even small flames quickly. This method of extinguishing a fire is quite optimal because it does not require any water or chemicals.
Finding the Right Fire Damage Repair Professionals
While it is understandable to want your home repaired and reconstructed as soon as possible, you also want to make sure that the job is done correctly. When you are looking into fire damage repair specialists, contractors, architects, and other professionals to work on your home, be picky. Take time to consider your wants, needs, and budget. Inquire with potential candidates to learn what they can provide and ask for references.
You do not want to spend a lot of money rebuilding a home only for it to not be up to your standard. You also want to make sure that you feel comfortable with and can trust the professionals you have hired to work on your residential property.
Professional Fire Damage Restoration and Cleanup Services
If your home is damaged by a fire, then do not hesitate to seek professional help right away. First, evacuate the property. Then, call your local fire department to have the fire extinguished.
When the fire is out, reach out to a professional fire damage repair service. The secondary damage from smoke, soot, and other corrosive byproducts can become permanent if not addressed in a timely manner, so you do not want to wait too long to seek help. These professional technicians will provide the essential cleaning that prefaces the rebuilding of a home after a fire.