Dealing with a fire can make the most logical person do some insane things. Like thinking that they suddenly have basic construction skills after they look at the contractors rough estimate. Or choosing to simply close off the room that is in the worst shape and make the rest of the house more livable. Just as you cannot ignore illness within your body just because your hair still looks okay, you cannot live with a fire damaged room in your home. These things must be taken cared of. But are you really capable of performing your own fire damage restoration? Fire damage restoration must take into account all issues. From rewiring, rebuilding and redecorating the most badly damaged room to taking care of the other rooms as well, the entire project must address the whole house. The smell of smoke must be eradicated from your home. All traces of the water and/or foam that was used to subdue the flames must be cleaned up. The charred areas must be removed and then replaced. Wiring will need to be updated. Fire damage can be more complicated than you think it is. Back to the stupid things that people do in the name of fire damage restoration: They try to rewire the damaged room without removing all of the wires first. Those burned wires will need pulled out completely before any new ones can be installed. Do not try to play it cheap and think that you can salvage any of that wiring. Not only is that not safe, you might just consider hiring an electrician to be safe for this part of the job. Your insurance company might actually insist on certain things being done only by licensed professionals, so you might want to check first before starting off with your own fire damage restoration activity. Cutting corners in your decor choices is one thing- but trying to save a buck or two by using substandard building materials is a really bad idea; especially in the case of fire damage restoration. What is the use of buying, measuring, cutting, installing and finishing your flooring or walls only to have to rework them a few months down the road? Poorly done floors? Dangerous- will this material support the daily weight of your family? What about the furniture or appliances that are in that room? Will your insurance cover a claim to replace your freezer if you placed it in a room with flooring material that is not rated to bear it? Another bad idea is to hire the first contractor that shows up at your house to implement fire damage restoration. At least you had the good sense to realize your own limitations, but then you blew it by not shopping around for estimates. You didn't even check this contractor out thoroughly, you just handed off a wad of cash and showed him into your fire damaged home and hoped for the best. Did you get his estimate in writing at least? Is there a service agreement or other form of contract? Is this a bonded, legitimate contractor? Did you just lose all of your insurance money? Ask questions and do not be afraid that you will hurt someone's feelings. They are in business to earn a living, so they understand. You have a responsibility to your family to get the home restored without going broke in the process.
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