The Difference Between Fire Damage Cleaning & Fire Damage Restoration

Posted on by msi-admin

After a fire, it’s natural to want your property cleaned up as quickly as possible. But there’s a big difference between a simple “fire cleanup” and a full fire damage restoration. While cleaning may make things look better on the surface, restoration ensures your home or business is truly safe, structurally sound, and free from hidden damage.

At MSI, we’ve seen many cases where homeowners thought their property was “cleaned” after a fire—only to find lingering smoke odors, soot stains, or even hidden health hazards weeks later. Here’s why understanding the difference matters.

What Fire Damage Cleaning Usually Means

  • Surface-Level Work – Many cleaning crews focus on wiping down visible soot or debris but don’t address hidden contamination.
  • Odor Cover-Ups – Basic cleaning often relies on air fresheners or sprays that mask smoke smells temporarily instead of removing them.
  • Cosmetic Results Only – Cleaning may make the home look livable but doesn’t address the damage beneath walls, inside ducts, or in porous materials.

What True Fire Damage Restoration Involves

  • Comprehensive Assessment – Restoration begins with inspecting not just what you can see, but also HVAC systems, insulation, and structural materials where smoke and soot hide.
  • Advanced Soot & Smoke Removal – Using HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, and specialized techniques, restoration removes contamination at the microscopic level.
  • Odor Elimination – Professional methods neutralize smoke odors permanently, instead of covering them up.
  • Structural and Safety Repairs – Restoration includes repairing or replacing fire-damaged materials to return your property to a safe, pre-loss condition.
  • Insurance Documentation – A true restoration team documents all damage and repairs so your insurance claim reflects the real scope of loss.

Why This Difference Matters

Choosing cleaning instead of restoration might save money up front, but it often leads to:

  • Persistent smoke odors that never go away
  • Hidden soot exposure that affects indoor air quality
  • Structural problems that resurface months later
  • Insurance disputes when damage wasn’t documented properly

When fire strikes, your home or business deserves more than a cosmetic cleanup. You need a full restoration to protect your property and your health.

Trust MSI for Complete Fire Damage Restoration

At MSI, we don’t just clean—we restore. Our certified team uses proven methods to remove hidden soot, neutralize odors, and repair the damage the right way. We’ve helped countless homeowners and businesses recover safely after fire, and we can do the same for you.

How Much Does Fire Damage Restoration Cost? A 2025 Homeowner’s Guide

Posted on by msi-admin

Fire damage is devastating, not just emotionally but financially. For homeowners and property managers, understanding the cost of fire damage restoration is crucial to making smart decisions and restoring a property correctly. While no two fires are the same, there are consistent factors that influence pricing across the board. In this guide, we break down those factors and what you can expect in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

What Affects the Cost of Fire Damage Restoration?

Fire restoration is complex. The final cost depends on a wide range of variables:

  • Size and Severity of the Fire: Larger fires affect more rooms, materials, and structural components, increasing the time and materials required for restoration.
  • Type of Building Materials Affected: Wood, drywall, insulation, electrical systems, and flooring all require different restoration methods and costs.
  • Extent of Smoke and Soot Damage: Even a small fire can produce widespread smoke and soot damage, requiring specialized cleaning.
  • Water Damage from Firefighting Efforts: Water used to extinguish the fire can cause secondary damage, often requiring its own restoration phase.
  • Odor Control and Deodorization: Smoke odor penetrates deeply and must be professionally removed from surfaces and HVAC systems.
  • Safety Hazards: Structural instability, asbestos, and lead paint can increase costs due to required containment and abatement protocols.

Breakdown of Fire Damage Restoration Costs

These are general price ranges and can vary by region, company, and scope of work:

  • Emergency Board-Up and Roof Tarping: $500 – $2,000+
  • Debris Removal and Cleanup: $1,000 – $5,000+
  • Smoke and Soot Cleanup: $2,000 – $8,000+
  • Structural Repairs and Reconstruction: $5,000 – $100,000+, depending on the extent of the damage
  • Odor Removal: $500 – $5,000+
  • Water Damage Mitigation (if applicable): $1,000 – $10,000+
  • Content Cleaning and Restoration: $1,000 – $10,000+, depending on how much can be salvaged

Different Classes of Fire Damage

Understanding what type of fire occurred helps guide restoration:

  • Class A Fires: Involve ordinary combustibles like wood and paper
  • Class B Fires: Involve flammable liquids and gases
  • Class C Fires: Involve electrical equipment
  • Class D Fires: Involve combustible metals (rare in residential settings)
  • Class K Fires: Involve cooking oils and fats, common in kitchen fires

Each type may require different extinguishing agents and cleaning methods.

Insurance Coverage and Limitations

Most homeowners insurance policies cover fire damage, but limitations apply:

  • Covered Costs: Generally includes structural repair, smoke cleaning, odor removal, and water mitigation
  • Exclusions: Contents over certain limits, additional living expenses, and specialty cleaning may have caps
  • Policy Limits: Many policies cap content and restoration coverage at levels that may not cover full costs
  • Managed Repair Programs: Be cautious of insurers forcing you into using their “preferred vendors” who may prioritize cost savings over quality

Timeframes: How Long Does It Take?

Timelines can vary greatly:

  • Emergency Response: Same-day or within 24 hours
  • Cleaning Phase: 3 to 10+ days depending on severity
  • Odor Removal: Several days, may overlap with cleaning
  • Reconstruction: Several weeks to months

Proper drying time, permit approvals, and custom material orders can also affect duration.

Why Choosing the Right Company Matters

A reputable fire damage restoration company ensures you receive proper care and full restoration. When evaluating companies:

  • Certifications Matter: Look for IICRC-certified technicians trained in fire and smoke restoration
  • No High-Pressure Sales: MSI does not chase fires or solicit customers at fire scenes
  • No POA or Assignment of Benefits (AOB): MSI works directly with you and your insurance company without taking control of your claim
  • Transparency in Pricing: We provide clear, itemized scopes using industry-standard software like Xactimate
  • Local Accountability: As a locally owned business, we’re here before, during, and after the restoration is complete

In Closing

Fire damage is stressful, but restoration doesn’t have to be. By understanding the costs involved, choosing a trustworthy restoration company, and knowing your insurance coverage, you can recover faster and with peace of mind.

At MSI, we’ve been helping homeowners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware recover from fire and smoke damage since 1998. We don’t pressure you, and we never sign people at the scene. We wait for the call – and when it comes, we respond fast.

When fire strikes, don’t wait. Call MSI and take back control of your home.

Beware of Fire Chasers – The Dark Side of Fire Restoration You Need to Know

Posted on by msi-admin

When your home has just gone up in flames, the last thing you need is a high-pressure sales pitch. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what some fire restoration companies are banking on. There’s a growing trend of so-called “fire chasers” — companies or individuals who show up uninvited at fire scenes and aggressively try to sign homeowners on the spot. It’s unethical, predatory, and often leaves families worse off than the fire itself.

What Is Fire Chasing?

Fire chasing refers to the practice of restoration companies (or their hired middlemen) monitoring emergency scanner traffic and rushing to fire scenes to solicit business. In many cases, they’ll knock on your door while smoke is still in the air — pressuring you to sign restoration contracts without giving you time to process the damage or consult your insurance.

These companies may promise:

  • Immediate help with cleanup and reconstruction
  • Kickbacks or “rebates” if you sign quickly
  • Direct handling of your insurance claim
    But what they don’t tell you is just as important.

The Hidden Dangers of Signing Too Soon

Once a fire chasing company has your signature, they often:

  • Take control of your entire insurance claim, sometimes asking you to sign over power of attorney
  • Cut corners on reconstruction and cleaning, maximizing their profits while minimizing your repairs
  • Leave you out of the loop with little transparency on how your insurance money is being spent

Even worse, some companies never perform the work they promised — or subcontract it to the lowest bidder, resulting in shoddy or incomplete restoration.

MSI Does It Differently

At MSI, we do not chase fire trucks. We do not wait outside your home. We do not pressure people into signing anything in a moment of crisis. Any fire damage restoration work we perform comes from direct calls from homeowners or insurance companies — never from third-party brokers or door-knocking salespeople.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • No Power of Attorney Required: We never ask clients to sign away control of their insurance claim. You stay in charge of your property and your decisions.
  • No Middlemen: We don’t work with outside sales teams, contractors, or anyone trying to sell our services without your knowledge.
  • Direct, Transparent Communication: We work hand-in-hand with your insurance adjuster, documenting damage thoroughly and making sure your property is restored correctly.
  • Certified, Professional Care: As an IICRC-certified firm with decades of experience, we know the science of smoke and soot cleanup — and we treat every home with respect.

Don’t Let a Second Disaster Follow the First

It’s hard enough dealing with the trauma of a fire. Don’t let opportunistic companies add to your stress by taking advantage of your situation. If someone shows up at your door uninvited after a fire — slow down, ask questions, and don’t sign anything until you’ve had time to make an informed decision.

If you or your insurance company is looking for ethical, experienced fire restoration professionals, MSI is here when you need us — no pressure, no gimmicks, no games.