Quick answer: What is fire damage restoration and what does it cost in the UK?
Fire damage restoration is the process of returning a property to its pre-fire habitable condition, which can involve extensive clean-up and repair after damage from fire, smoke, and often water from firefighting efforts. The cost of restoring your home in the UK varies significantly based on the size of the affected area, extent and type of damage (soot, smoke, structural), and property location. While professional clean-up typically ranges from £5,000 to £6,500, a full restoration project can average £35,681 if salvageable. A professional clean-up includes a site survey, stabilisation, ash and soot removal, smoke odour eradication, and often structural repairs. Engaging specialist fire restoration companies is crucial for thorough decontamination, preventing secondary damage like corrosion and lingering odours, and ensuring a safe return to normality.
What’s the cost of fire damage clean-up?
A fire within your home or commercial property can cause catastrophic damage and give your wellbeing an unwanted dent. However, depending on the types of fire you have and the damage it has caused, professional fire restoration (or fire damage clean-up) can help you get back on track fast and rescue some possessions that otherwise could be thrown away.
In this fire restoration focussed blog article, we will cover:
- What fire damage restoration is.
- The most common causes of property fire.
- The cost of fire damage restoration services in the UK.
- What to do if you have had a fire at your property.
So, for everything you need to know about the cost of fire damage restoration in the UK, read on.
Fire clean-up and restoration explained
Fire damage restoration is the process of returning a property that has been damaged by fire and smoke to a habitable condition, just like it was before the fire ever happened. Depending on the severity of the fire, the fire clean-up and restoration process can take anywhere between a couple of weeks to a few months.
A typical fire damage clean-up service may include:
- A survey of the site
- Stabilisation works (including removing any items for storage)
- Ash and soot cleaning
- Smoke odour removal
Fire damage restoration often includes everything after the cleanup stage too, such as installing a new kitchen, painting & decorating etc.
Did you know that a property fire can also cause water damage? This is because the fire can melt or warp waterpipes and the water used by the fire brigade will need to be cleaned up. Therefore, there is usually a level of water damage restoration work to take place following a property fire.
The most common causes of property fire
In the year ending June 2024, Fire and Rescue Services in England attended 594,384 incidents and 47% of those were fire related.
When it comes to accidental fires, specifically within homes, there are a few common causes. In no particular order, these are:
Electrical equipment
Fires caused by electrical equipment are usually due to faulty wiring, overloaded plug sockets, or malfunctioning appliances. Cheap extension cords can also cause fires when overused along with any electrical appliances with frayed wiring.
Cooking related fires
According to the London Fire Brigade, 60% of home fires start in the kitchen. From a rogue oven glove too near the hob, to an excessive build-up of grease on exhaust hoods. There are multiple risks in the kitchen that can easily be mitigated.
Heating appliances
Portable heaters became incredibly popular during the energy crisis because households wanted to reduce their energy consumption for whole house heating. There was an influx of new panel heater models, some good, some bad. However, if used incorrectly (such as clothes placed over them to dry), they are one of the biggest causes of fire when it comes to portable heaters. This is because they stop the heat from radiating into the room and instead, it overheats the heater instead.
Along with portable heaters, a chimney that has a build-up of soot is another heating related cause of house fires.
Candles
It’s unsurprising that candles contribute to thousands of fires in the UK. Often left unattended, a simple knock by the household pet can start a fire instantly. It’s always better to keep candles on non-flammable surfaces and put them out when you leave the room.
The cost of fire clean-up and restoration services in the UK
There are several key factors which impact the cost of a fire damage clean-up and restoration service. These include:
- The size of the area to be cleaned.
- The extent of the fire damage within the property.
- What the type of damage is. For example, soot, smoke, fire and/or water.
- The location of the property.
The cost of cleaning up after a property fire can range significantly based on the points above. However, most professional fire damage cleaning companies who work with insurers should be working towards reducing the need to strip out any material that can be saved. This also helps make savings to the total fire restoration costs for the project.
So, what is the average cost for fire damage clean-up and restoration?
The UK average cost for a professional fire damage clean-up is between £5,000 and £6,500. For a full damage restoration project and according to Checkatrade, the average cost is £35,681. But this is only if the property and possessions can be salvaged.
What to do after you’ve had a fire at your property
There are several key steps to take following a fire at your property. We’ve outlined the key ones below.
1. Contact the insurance company
One of the most important steps to take following a fire, is to contact your insurance company. They will be able to guide you through the process of restoring your home and provide you with everything you need when submitting your claim. Depending on the insurance company, they may ask you to get estimates for fire damage clean-up and restoration services. Others may have a list of preferred suppliers they use to help you get back to normality fast.
A lot of what you do and what the insurance company will do, depends on what level of cover that you have with them.
2. Make sure your property is secure
Once your property has been deemed safe to enter, your insurance company will request that you secure it while you are away during the fire damage clean-up and restoration process. This will not only involve contacting your local glazier to board up windows and doors should they be damaged, but you’ll also need to remove any valuable possessions.
3. Find alternative accommodation (if required)
It may only be the case that one room in the property has been affected by fire. However, because there will be lingering fumes and damage caused by smoke, alternative accommodation might be suggested to protect your health. Depending on the insurance policy that you have taken out, the costs of alternative accommodation may or may not be covered by your insurance provider.
4. Let your utility company know
Depending on the extent of the fire and if any utility supplies have been damaged, you will need to reach out to your utility suppliers. If there is damage, an engineer from the utility company will attend your property to assess the extent of the damage and what is needed to safely reconnect your property. Under no circumstances should you attempt any repair work to main utility supplies by yourself.
5. Get the fire damage clean-up professionals in
Decontaminating and cleaning your property after a fire is a specialist job. Without the experience and industry-leading equipment to perform a fire damage clean-up, it’s almost impossible to fully remove all the traces of the fire.
A small amount of soot or ash left in your property can lead to secondary damage because both soot and ash will eat away at any surface. Within hours, secondary damage can cause paint and fiberglass to yellow, metal start to corrode, and clothing start to stain.
The frequent release of unpleasant odour into the air is another example of secondary damage which can become overwhelming and render a property uninhabitable. If the fire damage clean-up process isn’t done thoroughly and the particles correctly removed, it’s likely that they will continue to affect the property and your wellbeing. Decontaminating your property and smoke odour removal is another step in the fire damage restoration process.
6. Replace any damaged contents
If some of the contents within the property can’t be cleaned and restored, the insurance company will arrange replacing them or cover the cost of you replacing the items. Yet again, this will depend on the extent of the fire and what level of cover you have with your insurance policy.
What next?
In the unfortunate circumstance that you have had a fire in your property and require a professional fire damage clean-up and restoration company, contact one of the Ideal Response team who will happily answer any questions and advise on the best course of action to take.
How much does fire damage clean-up cost: Frequently asked questions
What is fire damage restoration and how long does it take?
Fire damage restoration is the process of returning a property to a safe and habitable condition after it has been affected by fire and smoke. This comprehensive process includes clean-up, repair, and often reconstruction. Depending on the severity, a typical restoration can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months to complete.
What factors influence the cost of fire damage clean-up in the UK?
The cost of fire damage clean-up in the UK is influenced by several key factors: the size of the affected area, the extent and type of damage (e.g., soot, smoke, fire, and water damage), and the location of the property. Professional companies often work to salvage materials where possible to help reduce overall costs.
What is the average cost for professional fire damage clean-up in the UK?
The UK average cost for a professional fire damage clean-up typically ranges between £5,000 and £6,500. For a more extensive, full damage restoration project that includes repairs and reconstruction, the average cost can be around £35,681, especially if the property and its contents can be salvaged rather than requiring a complete rebuild.
What steps should I take immediately after a house fire in the UK?
Immediately after a house fire in the UK, you should contact your insurance company to initiate the claims process. It’s also crucial to secure your property (e.g., boarding up damaged windows and doors), arrange for alternative accommodation if necessary, notify your utility companies, and most importantly, engage professional fire damage clean-up specialists.
Why is professional fire damage clean-up essential after a fire?
Professional fire damage clean-up is essential because fire contamination is complex and goes beyond surface-level damage. Specialists possess the experience, expertise, and industry-leading equipment required to fully remove microscopic soot, ash, and smoke particles that household cleaning cannot. This thorough decontamination is crucial to prevent secondary damage and eliminate lingering toxic odours.
Does fire damage restoration include water damage clean-up from firefighting?
Yes, fire damage restoration often includes water damage clean-up. Firefighting efforts commonly involve significant amounts of water, which can cause its own set of problems. Professional restoration services typically handle the extraction of water and thorough drying of affected areas to prevent further issues like mould growth and structural deterioration.
What type of damage can secondary damage from fire cause if not cleaned properly?
If not cleaned properly, secondary damage from fire can cause significant long-term issues. Soot and ash are acidic and can eat away at surfaces, causing paint and fibreglass to yellow, metals to corrode, and clothing to stain. Persistent, unpleasant smoke odours can also render a property uninhabitable if not thoroughly removed.
Murat Kunacav - Technical Account Manager
Murat has a rich blend of over 15 years of experience from both the insurance and restoration industries, including a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. Since joining Ideal Response in 2020, Murat has become a specialist in technical scoping and managing major and complex loss restoration projects. With a focus on high-net-worth client management and intricate insurance-led restoration, he excels at collaborating across all parties, insurers, loss adjusters, contractors, and clients, to ensure seamless, end-to-end project delivery. Murat believes that the power of technical expertise lies in building strong relationships and delivering compliant results, no matter the scale or complexity.
