True Cost Guide Disaster Recovery Repair Fire & Smoke Damage

How Much Does Fire and Smoke Remediation Cost in 2025?

Typical Range:

$3,137 - $51,541

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 301 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data

How We Get This Data

Homeowners use HomeAdvisor to find pros for home projects.

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When their projects are done, they fill out a short cost survey.

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We compile the data and report costs back to you.

Updated December 19, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Smoke remediation costs range widely, at $27,258 on average with homeowners typically paying between $3,137 and $51,541. The exact cost will depend on several factors, such as the extent of the damage, potential costs in water damage restoration, chemical repair from extinguishers, soot removal, and smoke damage restoration.

When dealing with fire damage restoration costs, keep the following in mind:

First, reach out to your insurance representative or adjuster to understand what your policy covers—this will determine your out-of-pocket expenses. Remember, fire remediation is a job for licensed professionals. Attempting it yourself can be dangerous due to potential contamination and hazards during restoration.

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National Average	$27,258
Typical Range	$3,137 - $51,541
Low End - High End	$800 - $180,000

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 301 HomeAdvisor members.

Fire Damage Restoration Costs

The type of damage impacts the overall cost, and you may need several types of cleanup to restore your home's livability.

Water or Fire Extinguisher Cleanup

Repairing damage from water or fire extinguishers costs between $1,000 and $6,000. This includes the cost of drywall repair, drying walls, flooring, and foundations, and removing excess water or fire extinguisher material. This price also covers the cost of dehumidification, which is similar to flood restoration.

Soot Removal and Cleanup

Removing and cleaning up soot costs between $2,000 and $6,000. Soot removal and cleanup services also include air duct cleaning and deodorizing. Dry soot cleanup prices typically fall on the lower end of the range since it's easier to clean up, while oily soot removal costs more since it smears, adheres to surfaces, and is more time-consuming to remove.

An important note is that soot removal and cleanup don't include stain removal or repairs to drywall, flooring, or furnishings.

Major Repairs

Major repairs cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 per room and consist of fixing structural damage rather than cosmetic issues. You'll need to hire a local structural engineer to assess the damage and devise an action plan to make your home structurally sound and safe.

Major repairs include replacing windows to repairing foundations, which we list below.

Cost to replace windows: $300–$2,100
Cost to repair walls: $1,000–$3,000
Cost to repair ceilings: $420–$1,340
Cost to repair flooring: $400–$20,000
Cost of foundation repairs: $2,200–$7,800
Cost of roof repairs: $400–$1,800
Cost of HVAC repair: $200–$600
Cost of rewiring: $12,000–$20,000
Cost of a kitchen remodel: $14,600–$41,300
Cost of a bathroom remodel: $7,000–$17,000

Let a Pro Handle Water and Soot Repair

Smoke Damage Restoration Costs

Smoke damage restoration costs between $200 and $1,200 per room. Like soot, smoke damage worsens the longer it's left untreated. The odor can penetrate clothing, furniture, carpets, and other items in your home. Removing it typically involves furniture deodorizing, ozone smoke removal, and a thorough evaluation of your HVAC systemto ensure your home's air quality is restored.

Furniture and Textile Deodorizing

Expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 for professional deodorizing of furniture or textiles. Only professional deodorizing can help to get smoke damage—including the smell—out of furniture, carpets, clothing, and other home textiles.

Thermal fogging is an effective way to eradicate odors. This technique uses chemicals that can reliably remove any odors for good. The size of your home will affect the cost, typically between $200 and $600.

Ozone Smoke Removal

An alternative to thermal fogging is ozone treatment, allowing you to remove and clean the smell even as your fabrics are still drying. Materials can run around $500 or more, but depending on the extent of the damage, you may only have to pay around $200 to $400 for a full treatment.

Ozone removal requires either purchasing the right equipment or chemical or hiring a cleaner who can go through the process for you. This involves breaking up the smoke molecules, which in turn eliminates the odors. Like thermal fogging, it consists of a machine best used by professionals.

Cigarette Smoke Remediation

Cigarette smoke remediation typically costs about $600 to $2,000 per property. The more rooms requiring odor removal, the more you'll pay. The most common method of cigarette smoke remediation is ozone treatment.

DIY Fire or Smoke Remediation vs. Hiring a Pro

Always hire a local fire restoration pro for this job. Fire and smoke damage leave behind health hazards, including harmful smoke residuesin the air. Additionally, structural repairs are risky to tackle on your own and should be handled by professionals to ensure safety.

Get Quotes From Local Smoke Damage Pros

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.

FAQs

Will insurance cover fire and smoke damage repairs?

Your homeowners insurance may cover fire and smoke damage repairs, but the amount depends on your specific policy terms. It's important to read your policy carefully to understand your coverage. Be sure to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after the incident to learn about the next steps. Remember, don't startany remediation work until you've spoken with your insurer.

How do you remediate smoke damage?

A licensed pro must always carry out smoke remediation because of the risk of harmful chemicals circulating in the air. The pro will put on protective gear, ventilate the area as much as possible, then remove soot and visible problem spots. After they take care of the soot, the smoke remediation pro can tackle the smoke issue, usually with ozone or thermal fogging treatments.

How long does it take for smoke to clear out of a house?

The time it takes for smoke to clear out of your house depends on factors likethe source and amount of smoke, as well as the size of your home. Ozone treatments can remove smoke odors in as little as half a day, but it might take up to a week if multiple treatments are needed or if several restoration projects are happening at once.

What is the first step in firedamage restoration?

The first step in fire damage restoration is to contact a licensed professional as soon as possible to assess the damage and begin remediation. Prompt action is crucial to control moisture if water was used to extinguish the fire, preventing mold growth and additional structural damage. Delaying this step can lead to more extensive repairs and health hazards.

How long does it take to repair fire damage?

Repairing fire damage can take anywhere from a week to several months, depending on the severity and extent of the damage. Minor repairs affecting one or two rooms might be completed within a week, while extensive restoration for significant damage can take several months. Consulting with your restoration team will provide a more accurate timeline tailored to your specific situation.

Should I use ozone treatment to remove smoke odors?

Yes, ozone treatment is a highly effective method for removing smoke odors after a fire. Ozone generators break down odor molecules, eliminating smells at the source rather than merely masking them. This treatment is more successful than sprays or air fresheners, which only provide temporary relief. A professional restoration service can perform ozone treatment to ensure thorough odor removal throughout your home.