fire damage restoration

There are few things more devastating than damage to your home from a fire, but in the midst of the chaos that follows, it’s important that you do a few things right away to make sure you, your family, and your investment in your home and your belongings are protected. Here are four things to do any time your home suffers fire damage.

Step 1: Plan for Your Family’s Needs

If your home was damaged to the point that it is unsafe for you to be there, the first thing you need to do is find a place to stay for the night, or perhaps even a few days. If you don’t have family and friends nearby, or you can’t stay with them, contact a local disaster relief organization, such as the Red Cross. In addition to shelter, they can also help you find food, medicine, and other important things you might need.

Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company

You may need to hire a restoration contractor in Billings, MT or other types of Billings MT construction contractors, so you need to contact your insurance company to let them know about your situation, give them a brief description of the damage, and find out what you might need to do for the immediate needs of your home. They may also need a list of everything damaged in the fire with descriptions and prices for future claims.

Step 3: Use Caution When Returning Home

After the immediate danger is passed, you will probably be able to visit your home. Be sure that the fire department has given you clearance to enter the home, and use caution in the area(s) damaged by fire. Roofs, floors, and other supporting beams could have been damaged, which can present potentially dangerous situations. If you prefer, you can ask a fire department official to accompany you. Do not try to turn on utilities or water if they were turned off.

Step 4: Rebuilding and Repairing

The final step is to begin the rebuilding and repair process. If you can still live in the home, you may want to hire a restoration contractor in Billings, MT to clean the areas damaged by fire. If the home needs extensive work, it may require the help of Billings, MT construction companies to rebuild. Be sure to do your research before you hire, and look for a reputable local company that is properly licensed to perform the work.

A fire can be devastating, but it’s important that you take the proper steps afterward to ensure that you are protected and your home and belongings can be restored.