When a fire is out, the real work begins. Smoke, water from suppression, and hidden soot can keep damaging your property long after the flames are gone. In those first hours, you need a calm plan for choosing fire damage restoration services you can trust. This guide gives Indiana homeowners, landlords, property managers, and local businesses a simple way to evaluate providers, compare bids, and avoid fixes that cost more later. Use it before you sign anything.
What a qualified provider looks like:
Ask for proof in writing. You want IICRC-certified technicians, active liability and workers’ comp, and a site-specific safety plan. Confirm 24/7 response with a written arrival window and stabilization plan. Require a detailed scope that covers demolition limits, contents care, odor removal, HVAC cleaning, and final clearance steps. Insist on photo documentation from first walk-through to sign-off and one accountable point of contact. Make sure they coordinate with your insurer using line-item estimates and notes on local code compliance.
The professional process you should see:
A credible team follows a clear sequence: Stabilize the structure with board-up, tarping, utility checks, and hazard controls; Document with full photos, moisture readings, and an itemized contents inventory; Mitigate water by extracting and starting monitored structural drying; Remove soot and smoke with surface-appropriate methods, HEPA vacuuming, and air scrubbing; Deodorize using thermal fogging or hydroxyl and verify results; deliver a repair plan with timelines, inspections, and closeout criteria. If any piece is missing, expect overruns, delays, and call-backs.
Red flags that lead to expensive do-overs:
Walk away from vague one-page quotes with no quantities or timelines; no written plan for contents, textiles, or electronics; pressure to sign before a full inspection; no insurance fluency or “we never work with insurance”; all-subcontract crews with no on-site supervisor; and promises to save everything when materials are clearly compromised. Ask for a named site lead, three recent local references, and a detailed scope. If they cannot provide them, keep looking.
Key questions to ask before you hire:
Use these on calls with shortlisted vendors in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Bloomington, Lafayette, and nearby towns.
- What certifications do your techs hold, and who will be my site lead?
- How soon can you stabilize and begin structural drying?
- What is your plan for fire restoration cleaning of contents and textiles?
- How do you document work for insurance review and code compliance?
- Which odor removal methods do you use and when?
- How will you protect unaffected rooms and HVAC during cleaning?
- Can you provide three recent local references for similar losses?
Indiana use cases:
- Homeowner in Carmel: Kitchen fire, light structural damage. The best fit is a company that can isolate the kitchen, protect adjacent rooms, clean HVAC, and provide a clear plan for cabinet replacement versus restoration.
- Small landlord in Muncie: Duplex unit with smoke and sprinkler water. You need fast turnover and clear documentation for your claim. Prioritize providers with content inventory tools and predictable drying timelines.
- Restaurant in Fort Wayne: Hood flare-up with protein smoke. Choose a team experienced with health code standards, after-hours work, and proof of odor clearance before reopening.
The lowest price can hide missing work that becomes a change order later. The best value is the bid that reduces risk and gets you back in faster.
When is fire damage restoration enough, and when is a rebuild required:
Light to moderate fires often allow cleaning, selective demolition, and targeted repairs. Heavy charring, failed structural members, or pervasive protein smoke usually require broader removal and reconstruction. A credible provider will show you which materials can be decontaminated to a safe standard and which must go. Insist on photos and readings to back up those calls.
Resources to review:
You can use this page to build your checklist and understand common services and terminology:
- General overview of restoration and cleaning services: Steamatic
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: How fast should I bring in a professional after a fire?
Within hours once the site is released by the fire department. Soot is acidic, and water left in materials raises costs. Early stabilization limits secondary damage and speeds insurance approvals.
Q2: What should be included in a proper scope for fire damage restoration?
Stabilization, moisture mapping, selective demolition, fire restoration cleaning of structure and contents, HVAC cleaning, odor removal, and a rebuild plan. Each item should list quantities, methods, and timelines.
Q3: Will insurance cover fire damage restoration services and contents cleaning?
Policies vary. Most fire policies address structure, and many address contents, but limits and procedures differ. A good provider will document loss thoroughly, use accepted estimating formats, and coordinate with your adjuster.
Q4: Can I save money by skipping odor removal?
No. Odor is a sign of remaining contamination. Skipping deodorization leads to call-backs and potential health complaints. Choose a team that explains their method and verifies results.
Bottom line:
Pick experience you can verify. Choose providers who show you their process, document every step, coordinate with your insurer, and give you a clear timeline. That approach protects your budget, your health, and your schedule.
