The Ultimate Checklist for Documenting Your Property Post-Fire
No one wakes up expecting a fire to break out at their home or place of business. However, when the unexpected happens, it can leave you confused, wondering what to do in the aftermath. This blog will provide a clear guideline for documenting your property after a fire.
1. Ensure Everyone’s Safety
Before you begin documenting, it’s important to remind you to focus on safety, even after the fire has been put out.
Though the fire department will let you know when it’s safe to re-enter your home, don’t re-enter without the proper safety gear, including goggles, long-sleeved shirts, closed shoes, gloves, and respirator masks. Documenting the damage will be time-consuming, so you’ll want to make sure you are protected from any soot, smoke, and any other hazards that may be present.
2. Go Room to Room
Documenting the damage after a fire may seem overwhelming. After all, where do you even begin? To simplify the process and ensure that nothing is accidentally overlooked, start by going from room to room. You can go in any order, but it’s best to follow the natural direction of the house or commercial property. Just ensure it’s safe to enter each room before you do so. If the room is not safe to enter, do not enter it. Instead, contact a professional (but more on that later).
3. Take Photos and Videos of the Damage
Assuming it’s safe to enter, start taking photos and videos of the damage in each room. These photos should include personal items (at home), business items (at work), as well as structural damage. For example, is drywall damaged? Are pipes or wires exposed?
Get as many angles of the damage as you can, as these will paint a full picture when it comes to submitting a claim with your homeowners or commercial property insurance carrier. Here’s a list of some of the photos and videos you should capture when documenting post-fire damage:
- The exterior of your property, including roof, windows, and doors
- The interior of your home, including ceiling tiles, walls, and floorboards
- Damaged furniture
- Smoke damage and soot residue
- The entire room
- Insides of closets
Remember, it’s better to take more photos and videos than you need than not having enough or having the wrong photos, which could lead to a denial of your claim. Make sure that all your photos and videos are timestamped, too!
4. Create a List of Damaged Items
While you’re taking photos and videos of the damage, be sure to create a list stating what’s been damaged at the same time. This list will prove invaluable when submitting an insurance claim.
In this list, be as detailed as possible. Write down the items that were damaged and what damage they have. For example, furniture that is charred or paintings that are covered with soot. Try to estimate when they were purchased and how much they cost. If you have receipts in a lock box at the bank or a fire safety box, recover them and include them in your claim.
5. Obtain a Copy of the Fire Damage Report
The fire damage report is created post-fire after the investigation has been completed. This report details when the fire occurred, what caused it, the totality of the damage sustained, and what the fire department did to take corrective action.
In most cases, this report is available to the homeowner or property owner within a week post-fire. You can request a copy from the fire department that responded to your property.
6. Contact Your Insurance Company
Now that you have some photos and a list of what was damaged, it’s time to call your insurance company. When notifying them of the damage, be sure to include the following:
- The date and time of the incident
- How it occurred
- What was damaged
- Contact info of your mortgage lender
Though some of this information will be available in the fire damage report, it may not be ready by the time you contact your insurance company. However, send it to the insurance adjuster assigned to your case once it comes in.
7. Create a List of What Can be Saved
In addition to writing down what was damaged, jot down what looks like it can be saved. While this will include a list of items that seem to have minor damage, generally, the most salvageable items include:
- Hardwood floors
- Glass, ceramic, and metal products
- Clothing and other washer-friendly items like curtains and area rugs
Having this list is crucial, as it can help establish what you are seeking compensation for, as well as ensure that your restoration team can begin saving items before the damage sets in.
8. Make Copies of Your Lists
After you create those lists of what can be saved and what was damaged, make a copy of them and store them somewhere safe. Once items are discarded or repaired, it’ll be harder to remember what you still need to send to your insurance company without written proof.
9. Round Up Receipts
And speaking of things to send to your insurance company for compensation, remember how we mentioned receipts? Well, now’s the time to take a look at them.
Receipts are vital for providing hard evidence of value and showing just how much you spent in the aftermath of a fire. That’s right—it’s not just receipts for items you own that you want to find, but receipts for who you hire to help mitigate the damage and other related costs. Common examples include fire damage restoration companies, electricians, roof repair contractors, junk removal, and more.
For any expense that stems from the fire, be sure to keep the receipt and send it to your insurance company.
10. Call a Fire Damage Restoration Professional
Last but not least, you’re going to want to call a professional fire damage restoration company. Though you can take these steps yourself, hiring a professional lessens the work you have to do.
Once hired, your restoration team won’t just mitigate the damage the fire caused, but they’ll work to restore what can be salvaged, throw away what’s damaged, and work with your insurance company to make the process as seamless for you as possible. This is great, as it allows you to focus on your recovery, both physical and mental.
Don’t Handle the Aftermath of a Fire Alone—Call the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals at BluSky
Documenting fire damage can be an emotional, time-consuming process, but the good news is that you don’t have to tackle it alone. At BluSky, we’re here to handle all of the documentation and restoration processes for you so you can focus on recharging and getting your home or business back to normal.
Between handling insurers and providing peace of mind, BluSky is the one you can rely on for trusted, comprehensive fire damage restoration. We are here to help residents in California, Arizona, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida, Nevada, and throughout the United States. Check out our locations page to find a BluSky professional near you!
