Post-Fire Assessment
After the fire, the part you can’t see.
The visible damage is obvious. What’s harder to see is the smoke residue settled on surfaces, soot drawn into the HVAC system, gaps in the building envelope, and water left behind by firefighting. We measure what remains and document what changed.
Or call (866) 807-5313
Independent. We don’t do fire restoration, remediation, or cleaning, and we accept no referral fees — so the findings answer to you, not to a contractor’s scope.
The Aftermath
What a fire leaves behind in a building
Whether the fire was inside your home or wildfire smoke found its way in, the flames are only the first event. Several conditions can persist long after, and most of them aren’t visible from the doorway.
- Smoke residue — soot, fine particulates, and volatile organic compounds settle on surfaces, in insulation, and in ductwork.
- HVAC contamination — a running system can draw smoke into ducts and carry residue to rooms the fire never reached.
- Envelope gaps — damage to siding, roofing, windows, and doors can open uncontrolled air-leakage paths.
- Insulation damage — heat and smoke can degrade insulation and hold odor-bearing residue.
- Moisture from firefighting — the water used to put the fire out can soak materials and set up secondary mold growth if drying falls short.
What We Assess
A complete post-fire picture
Air & surface residue
Airborne particulates and volatile organic compounds, plus surface sampling for soot, char, and ash where warranted, analyzed by an accredited laboratory.
Building envelope
Gaps, cracks, and openings that let unfiltered outdoor air in, located with thermal imaging. Where structural questions arise, we say so and refer them to a structural engineer.
HVAC system
Residue in ducts, filters, and equipment, and whether the system is carrying it to unaffected rooms.
Water & moisture
Moisture mapping of materials wetted during firefighting, with attention to where secondary mold growth is likely to start.
The Deliverable
A written record of where things stand
Every post-fire assessment produces a report documenting what we measured and found, in plain English, with the photographs to back it up.
- Air and surface findings — particulate, VOC, and residue results, with laboratory data where samples were taken
- Envelope findings — gap locations and air-leakage points, with thermal images
- HVAC findings — duct, filter, and equipment condition
- Moisture map — wetted materials and secondary mold risk areas
- Photographic documentation — clear visual evidence you can share with your insurance adjuster and contractor
- Prioritized scope items — what your restoration contractor should address, in order, so you can compare bids against the same list
Want someone independent checking the restoration work as it happens? See Remediation Oversight and Post-Remediation Verification.
Questions about recovery after a fire? Our Post-Fire Recovery guide covers what to ask and when to involve your healthcare provider.
Start with the assessment.
Whether your home had direct fire damage or wildfire smoke got in, knowing its condition is the first step in planning the recovery — and in holding the restoration to a documented standard.