Quick Fire Questions & Answers

1. Ensure Safety: Follow all safety instructions provided by your local fire department. If possible, open the doors to let your house air out and move pets and children away from any smoke.
2. Get Professional Help: Call Jason Harris at 847-674-7875. His team will help you with everything you’ll need. They work for you, not the insurance company. They can handle board up, fire remediation, repairs, restoration, insurance claims, temporary housing and storage, and settlement.
3. Contact Insurance: Immediately inform your insurance company about the fire. All policies require that the homeowner reports the damages as soon as possible.
4. Secure the Property: Consider boarding up windows and doors to secure your home from theft and any further damages caused by the weather.
5. Document Damage: Take photos of all the damaged items and start making a list of everything that will need to be replaced or restored.

1. Ensure Safety: Follow all safety instructions provided by your local fire department. If possible, open the doors to let your business or commercial property air out.
2. Get Professional Help: Call Jason Harris at 847-674-7875. His team will help you with everything you’ll need. They work for you, not the insurance company. They can handle board up, fire remediation, repairs, restoration, insurance claims, temporary workspace and storage, and settlement.
3. Contact Insurance: Immediately inform your insurance company about the fire. All policies require you to report the damages as soon as possible.
4. Secure the Property: Consider boarding up windows and doors to secure your business or commercial property from theft and any further damages caused by the weather.
5. Document Damage: Take photos of all the damaged items and start making a list of everything that will need to be replaced or restored.
6. Notify Everyone: If you are renting, then you will need to notify your landlord of the situation. You will need to notify partners, employees, and customers as well.
7. Review Continuity Plan: If you have a strategy in place for situations like this, then review it for the next steps for the fastest recovery to mitigate operational disruptions.

• Don’t Enter Prematurely: Wait until it’s declared safe and always wear protective gear and masks due to all the toxic gasses, smoke, and smoldering ashes. Honestly, this should be only done by a professional.
• Avoid Damaged Utilities & Electronics: Don’t use anything connected to water, gas, or electricity until deemed safe. That means no laundry, appliances, air conditioner, furnace, TV, etc.
• Don’t Clean: Professional cleaning is required to avoid further damage. This includes not wiping down the walls, carpet, furniture, or any other absorbent surface.
• Don’t Consume Anything: Food, including, canned goods, that were exposed to the fire are most likely not editable anymore.
• Don’t Sign Anything: It is not smart to enter into a contract of any kind until you fully understand it and all the fine print. It’s best to have an attorney review everything you are considering signing. Believe it or not, anything you sign will be considered a legally binding contract.

• Ignoring safety guidelines and entering a damaged property too soon.
• Not promptly reporting the fire to your insurance company can complicate the process.
• Attempting DIY cleanup without the proper methods and equipment may cause more damage.
• Packing up a home or business without a complete inventory or knowing the cost.
• Letting the contractors start repairs without knowing the exact price or scope of repairs.
• Listening to people who have never experienced a fire loss.
• Not knowing your rights and having a good understanding of your insurance policy.
• Moving too fast or too slow, and making uneducated decisions.
• Not realizing that the insurance company’s preferred contractors and claims adjusters work for the insurance company, and its goal is payout as little as possible.

Return home only after the fire department declares it safe, ensuring structural integrity and no hazardous conditions like toxic gasses or unstable utilities.

Contact the Red Cross, local shelters, friends, or family for immediate housing. You can also contact your insurance company for potential coverage on temporary housing. Regardless, Jason Harris and his team can help you secure temporary housing and storage if you need it.

Secure your property in the meantime to prevent further damage or theft.

No, you have the right to choose your own contractor so don’t let them bully you into thinking otherwise. The insurance company’s preferred contractor will estimate the damages to be lower and they will be very careful what they say to you because they are controlled by your insurer.

Also, don’t be fooled that the insurance company will play nicer if you choose their contractors and warranty the work done. That’s not the case.

Most likely, the contract you sign will state that any money paid out by your insurance company will go directly to their contractors. Meaning they can endorse and deposit the monies with or without your approval.

The after-fire process includes assessment, cleanup, repair, and restoration. Among those is smoke and odor removal, and mold prevention. The final step is replacing anything that couldn’t be repaired or restored.

Time to normalcy can vary from weeks to months, depending on the extent of the damage.

• Assessment: Professionals assess the extent of damage and create a plan.
• Mitigation: Immediate actions are taken to prevent further damage, such as water removal and securing the property.
• Cleanup: Soot and smoke are removed, and the area is cleaned and made odor-free.
• Restoration: Damaged materials are repaired or replaced to bring your property back to pre-fire or better condition.

While minor smoke damage might be manageable, professional cleanup is recommended for extensive damage. Experts have the equipment and techniques to safely and effectively remove smoke residue and odors.

The persistence of smoke smell varies, depending on the fire’s severity and the materials burned. Without professional intervention, the odor can linger for weeks or months. Professional cleaning can significantly expedite its removal.

Staying in a house with smoke damage is not recommended without a safety clearance. Smoke particles can be harmful to breathe and may indicate underlying structural issues.

Fire can cause structural damage, smoke damage, water damage from firefighting efforts, and air quality issues. Each type requires a specific approach for restoration.

Do not attempt to power on smoke-damaged electronics. They should be professionally evaluated and cleaned to prevent further damage and ensure safety.

Your homeowner’s or business insurance policy typically covers fire restoration services minus your deductible. It’s important to review your policy for specific coverages.

• Check Credentials: Ensure they’re licensed, insured, and certified.
• Read Reviews: Look for feedback online from previous clients and make sure to ask for and speak to their references.
• Compare Services: Not all companies offer a full range of restoration services.
• Ask About Availability: Time is of the essence; immediate response is crucial, as well as, starting the restoration process.