8 Questions to Ask a Fire Damage Restoration Company Before Signing (2026)
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1
Are you IICRC-certified in fire and smoke restoration?
🟢 beginner 🔥 High Impact
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) S500 and S520 standards cover fire, smoke, and soot damage restoration. A company without IICRC certification may lack the technical knowledge to properly clean and restore smoke-damaged materials — and your insurance company may reject their work, requiring a redo at your expense. Certification is not a guarantee of quality, but the absence of it is a clear risk signal.
Pro tip: Verify certifications on the IICRC website directly. Some companies claim certification they no longer hold because they did not renew continuing education requirements.
2
Do you bill insurance directly or do I pay and seek reimbursement?
🟢 beginner 🔥 High Impact
Reputable restoration companies work directly with your insurance adjuster, submitting documentation and invoices through Xactimate (the industry-standard estimating platform). Companies that demand upfront payment or ask you to pay out of pocket and 'submit for reimbursement' may not have established insurance relationships — a red flag for both legitimacy and billing practices. Direct insurance billing also protects you from inflated invoices that your insurer would reject.
Pro tip: Ask your insurance company for their preferred vendor list first. You are not required to use their vendors, but comparing their recommendations against independent contractors gives you leverage.
3
What is your scope of work for smoke and soot cleaning?
🟡 intermediate 🔥 High Impact
Smoke damage is invisible on most surfaces but causes ongoing odor and material degradation if not properly cleaned. A thorough scope of work includes HVAC cleaning, content cleaning, structural cleaning (walls, ceilings, framing), ozone or hydroxyl treatment for odor, and air quality testing after completion. Companies that only address visible char and soot are leaving behind smoke residue that will continue damaging finishes and creating odor for months.
Pro tip: Ask whether they test for smoke residue on surfaces after cleaning using a chemical sponge or white-glove test. If residue remains, the cleaning is incomplete regardless of how the area looks.
4
Will you provide a written estimate broken down by phase?
🟢 beginner 🔥 High Impact
Fire restoration involves multiple phases: emergency board-up and tarping, water extraction (from firefighting efforts), demolition, cleaning, reconstruction. Each phase should be separately estimated. A single lump-sum number hides the breakdown and makes it impossible to compare against your insurance adjuster's line-item estimate. Phase-by-phase billing also protects you if you need to switch contractors mid-project.
Pro tip: Request that the estimate be prepared in Xactimate format. This is the same software your insurance company uses, which makes line-item comparison straightforward and reduces disputes.
5
How do you handle content pack-out and inventory?
🟡 intermediate 🔥 High Impact
Salvageable belongings — furniture, clothing, electronics, documents — need to be packed out, inventoried, cleaned off-site, and stored during reconstruction. A company that does not offer detailed inventory with photos and serial numbers creates a liability gap: if items are lost or damaged during their custody, you have no proof of what was removed. The pack-out inventory should be signed by both parties before anything leaves your property.
Pro tip: Before the pack-out begins, walk through with your own camera and document high-value items in place. The restoration company's inventory protects them; your documentation protects you.
6
What is your timeline from start to occupancy?
🟢 beginner 💪 Medium Impact
Fire restoration timelines vary enormously based on damage extent, but a credible company can give you a phase-by-phase estimate: emergency stabilization (1–3 days), cleaning and demolition (1–3 weeks), reconstruction (4–12 weeks for significant damage). A company that promises fast turnaround without assessing the full scope is likely to cut corners on cleaning or reconstruction. Ask for milestones and what triggers each phase transition.
Pro tip: Ask whether your insurance policy covers additional living expenses (ALE) during restoration. Most homeowner policies cover hotel and meal costs while your home is uninhabitable — do not rush back into a partially restored home to save on temporary housing.
7
Do you carry both general liability and pollution liability insurance?
🟡 intermediate 🔥 High Impact
Fire restoration involves handling hazardous materials — asbestos in older homes, lead paint, smoke contaminants, and firefighting chemicals. Standard general liability insurance does not cover pollution events. A company without pollution liability insurance exposes you to environmental cleanup costs if they improperly handle or dispose of hazardous materials. Ask for certificates of insurance naming you as an additional insured, and verify coverage limits meet your state's minimums.
Pro tip: Call the insurance company on the certificate to verify the policy is active. Certificates can be forged or issued before a policy is canceled for non-payment.
8
Will you provide air quality testing before you release the property?
🟡 intermediate 🔥 High Impact
Smoke particles — especially from synthetic material fires — are carcinogenic and persist in HVAC systems, behind walls, and in porous materials long after visible cleaning is complete. A responsible restoration company conducts post-restoration air quality testing (particulate count and volatile organic compounds) and provides a clearance report before you reoccupy. If they do not offer this, they are asking you to move back into a space with unverified air quality.
Pro tip: Insist that air quality testing be done by a third-party firm, not the restoration company. The company cleaning the air should not be the same company certifying it is clean.
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Bonus Tip
Do not sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form
Some restoration companies ask you to sign an AOB, which transfers your insurance benefits directly to them. This removes your ability to dispute charges, negotiate scope, or switch contractors. You maintain maximum control by managing your insurance claim directly and authorizing payments to the contractor yourself.