California residents know wildfires better than nearly anyone. This is especially true this time of year, when fire damage repair is essential. Here at ReBLDing, we know that dealing with the damage caused by a wildfire feels like a daunting and difficult process. There are a few things that you can do to minimize the stress caused by this kind of catastrophe as you begin to make the necessary repairs to rebuild your home. Let’s take a look at a few ways to approach rebuilding your home and your life after a wildfire.
An Overwhelming Task: Where to Start
As you return from an evacuation and begin assessing the damage to your home, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. This is perfectly normal; having a game plan in effect will help you find a good place to begin the entire fire damage repair process. We suggest taking a look at the following tips and suggestions and applying them to your unique situation so that you can begin to form a sound restoration plan.
Safety First
Play it safe. Before re-entering your home, it’s a good idea to check for damage and asses danger from the outside of your home. Look for signs of possible danger on the exterior of your house and on or around the boundaries of your property. Here are a few signs of hazard to look for as you return to your residence after an evacuation.
Before Going Inside:
• Hot spots – Check the ground for hot spots, smoldering foliage or stumps, or vegetation that may still be burning.
• Roof damage – Look for sparks, embers, or loose wires that may have been disconnected during the fire.
• Property stability – If your home has been burned, do not re-enter it until you know that it’s structurally sound.
After Entering Your Home:
• Hidden sparks – Check your attic or upstairs for embers or hidden sparks.
• Interior damage – Look for fire damage throughout your home. Turn off your appliances and check your meter for damage before turning on the main circuit breaker.
• Well or pump house damage – Make sure that these systems are in working order.
Asses and Document the Damage
Once you know that your property is safe enough to re-enter and authorities have given the go ahead, it’s time to assess and document your losses. Go from room to room and look for signs of fire damage. Take photographs of anything that you find immediately. This way, if you choose to file a claim, you’ll be able to ensure that nothing gets overlooked.
Should You File a Claim?
Determining if you should file a claim will be your next step. Most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover sudden losses that aren’t otherwise excluded from your policy. Before calling your insurance company, be aware of your rights and policy prior to your home fire repair process.
• Review your entire policy
• Understand what coverages will be afforded
• Request pertinent policy information
• Determine a course of action
Call your insurance company to find out what deductibles may be available to you. Decide if the amount of damage and loss will be worth filing a claim. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of submitting an insurance claim beforehand.
Obtain Fire Damage Repair Estimates and Find a Contractor
We have good news! ReBLDing can assist you throughout both of these processes. We can help you find contractors who are skilled in fire damage repair and obtain fair repair estimates, and much more. Common areas of damage to a home after a wildfire include:
• Roof
• Structure
• Siding
• Windows
• Appliances
• Interior of a home
• Plumbing and heating systems
• Landscaping
We have skilled professionals in our system that are experts in all of these areas and more fire damage repair services.
At ReBLDing, we help minimize the stress of your rebuilding process; our contractors and fully licensed fire damage repair specialists are ready to help you get your life back on track. Our unique interface allows you to follow your home fire repair progress from start to finish while obtaining competitive estimates and secure communications with the contractor or specialist of your choice.
A Bright Future
Rebuilding after a wildfire can feel overwhelming. Knowing where to start and how to find reliable repair specialists with www.reblding.com can make things easier. Apart from making the repairs that are needed, consider adding fireproof landscaping to your property. You may even want to consider asking your contractor about making innovative additions to your home that can help to protect it from possible fires in the future. With a solid game plan and help from ReBLDing, you can get your home repaired and your life back quickly and easily.Post a job on ReBLDing to start restoring your home today. For more ReBLDing tips, visit our blog!