Every fire is different, but most restoration jobs follow the same stages.
Day 1: secure
Board-up, roof tarp, water extraction starts, photos and assessment.
Days 1 to 7: dry and stabilize
Dehumidifiers and air movers dry the structure; soaked materials are removed; contents are packed out.
Weeks 1 to 4: clean
Soot and smoke cleaning, odor treatment, duct cleaning, contents cleaning.
Weeks to months: rebuild
After the scope is approved: framing, drywall, roofing, floors, cabinets and paint.
Move back in
Final walk-through, contents returned, last odor checks.
Quick checklist
- Secure on day 1
- Dry within a week
- Clean before rebuild
- Walk-through before move-in
General information, not advice for your specific policy or property. Updated October 2026.
