My aunt has just had a fire, her entire top floor has to be replaced and there is a huge hole in the roof. Everything else has had water damage and heat damage. I just need to know what some good things to do now are.
2006-12-23 03:46:39 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I was lucky that after my fire the insurance company sent over a fire restoration company. They evaluate the damage, particularly smoke damage that you may not even realize occurred in parts of the house that weren't on fire. That being said, take photos and lots of them. Everything you see that has been damaged by either the water or the fire. You will need this for insurance purposes because inevitably they will forget to compensate you for certain items. Also, dig through old photos showing the items and areas affected by the fire so that you can prove the condition prior to the fire.
Obviously, you want to mitigate damage. So either hire someone, do it yourself or have the insurance company repair or temporarily close the hole in the roof.
Make two lists, everything damaged by the fire and everything damaged by the water used to put out the fire. Some things the insurance company will retore and others they will replace depending on the policy. Don't forget things like clothing in the closets or upholstered furniture or draperies or area rugs which generally suffer smoke damage. Look at the wood feet of furniture which may have water marks due to the water.
I went ahead and tore out all of the carpet I had in the house because the padding started to mildew, but I saved it in the garage for inspection. I also requested the insurance company send out large blowers because the water got in between the drywall and framing needing to be dried out before it started to mold. In some areas, it was necessary to remove the drywall and insulation and replace some of the framing because they were so water logged.
I also had the electric checked out by a liscense electrician to see whether there was any shorts or damage done by the water.
Most importantly, read your aunt's insurance policy to determine the coverage she has.
2006-12-23 04:10:41 · answer #1 · answered by eskie lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems like their will be an insurance pay out with the kind of damage you mention...
If the insurance company pays for the fix, ask them can you get started with repairs.
Some insurance companys insist on sending out their investigaters first.. in those cases they would want nothing disturbed or cleaned up.
Cleanup and repairs can be done by homeowners and helpers, but in most cases it is done by contractors.
2006-12-27 10:57:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
2nd brians answers.. first i would do is get the hole covered with a tarp. may sound strange but ask your firemen.. seems dam near all firemen have a 2nd job.. some do electric,windows..etc.. they can be a good source of information on who to hire next. if she does have insurance.. just get the hole covered and let them take over. If she doesnt you need to find a general contractor
2006-12-23 12:07:04 · answer #3 · answered by hometech02 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully she has insurance. They will assess the situation and resolve the problem. If she doesn't have insurance you have a lot of work ahead of you. Good luck and merry Christmas
2006-12-23 11:52:19 · answer #4 · answered by brian d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rip out the drywall and insulation through out the house because she'll never get the smoke smell out of the house
2006-12-23 11:49:50 · answer #5 · answered by b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is enough equity in the house you can refinance and repair the house
2006-12-23 11:49:59 · answer #6 · answered by scevaal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish God help your aunt. An unfortunate accident...
2006-12-23 11:51:21 · answer #7 · answered by curious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋