Month: September 2023

Do I Have to Pay for Fire Damage Restoration?

Written by adleverage on September 22, 2023. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Do I Have to Pay for Fire Damage Restoration?

Paying for fire damage restoration and making your home livable again can be a costly endeavor. According to Angi, it costs $20,518 on average. But restoring your home after a fire can cost under $1,000 if the damage is minor and $38,000+ if the damage is extensive (on the high end, a restoration can cost $158,000!).1 So the question is now, “Who pays for fire damage restoration?”

Must I Pay for Fire Damage Restoration Out of Pocket?

It depends on the cause of the fire, how much damage occurred, and other factors. If your home is damaged or destroyed by a fire, you may not have to pay to fix or replace it, or at least fit the entire bill. Here are some of your options:

Homeowners Insurance

Your insurance policy will likely cover fire and smoke damage caused by a cooking mishap, electrical malfunction, or a problem with heating equipment. Even if leaving a stove unattended caused a fire, your coverage may apply. Insurance may or may not protect against damage from wildfires (if not, a separate policy is needed). But if you started a house fire intentionally, your insurance will not cover the cost of repairs.

Insurance Coverage for Fires

A separate fire policy usually isn’t required. Most homeowners insurance policies will cover fire damage repairs. Other add-ons may be available depending on your insurance company. These can include dwelling coverage to help rebuild your home, personal property coverage to repair or replace damaged items, and liability coverage to pay for damage to a neighbor’s property.

Liability Insurance

Whether a tenant who rents and occupies the property or a landlord who owns the property pays for restoration depends on several things. The cause of the fire and if fire damage liability insurance is involved are factors. If someone rents an apartment and a fire starts because they forgot to turn off an appliance, it would be the tenant’s responsibility to cover the cost of repairs. But if the landlord’s actions or negligence led to the fire, their liability coverage would help pay for fire damage restoration.

How Much Will My Insurance Cover?

With any insurance policy, the payout is limited to the maximum monetary value it will cover. You are also responsible for paying the deductible before the policy kicks in. This means you’ll have to pay for the restoration out of pocket until you reach this amount and the insurance company provides a payout. The deductible can be defined as a percentage of the total coverage or a specified dollar amount, depending on the policy.

Fire Damage Restoration Is a Professional Job

The cost of restoration also varies depending on the type of fire. There are five categories of fires as recognized by the Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association. Their associated costs, considering a 2,500-square-foot home, are as follows:

Kitchen Oil Fires: A fire that starts with kitchen oil, grease, or animal fats can spread quickly. The average restoration cost is $12,000 to $20,000¹.
Electrical Fires: Often resulting from a hidden problem, electrical fires can cause extensive damage and are often associated with soot and smoke damage; a restoration can cost from $12,000 to $23,000¹.
Ordinary Combustible Fires: The sources include paper, plastic, wood, and other common materials. Since these fires spread less quickly, restoration costs are often in the $9,000 to $14,000 range¹.
Gas Fires: These involve fuel oil, petroleum, oil-based paints, and similar chemicals. Restoring a home after such a fire can cost between $14,000 and $20,000¹.
Combustible Metal Fires: A fire originating from aluminum, titanium, or other types of metal is more common in industrial settings but is difficult to extinguish and spreads quickly. If one occurs in a home, restoration can cost $16,000 to $25,000¹.

But fire damage restoration isn’t only about cleaning up debris, smoke damage, and soot. It often requires rebuilding, the cost of which varies widely. For example, remodeling a kitchen after a fire can cost up to $40,000 on average. Drywall installation can cost up to $3,000, roof replacement can cost $6,500, and floor repair can cost anywhere from $400 to $20,000¹.

Should I Attempt Fire Damage Restoration Myself?

Attempting a DIY restoration is unsafe and probably won’t save you any money. Your insurance policy may not cover the repairs. Fire restoration professionals specialize in cleaning up fire damage, removing hazardous materials, and salvaging and restoring furniture and valuables. They can also effectively clean up soot, remove odors, and mitigate damage from the water used to extinguish the fire.

Working with a professional also yields benefits such as:

A faster restoration process
Knowledge of building codes and regulations
Lower risk of exposure to toxic smoke, chemicals, and residue
Avoid damage such as a wall or ceiling collapse
Insurance policies cover restoration by a licensed, insured contractor

Call Restorerz – Emergency Services for Fire Damage Restoration

Restorerz provides fire damage restoration services in Los Angeles. We are available 24/7 and respond in 60 minutes or less, so we can reach your home quickly to minimize smoke damage, eliminate odors, and begin cleaning up your home. We are also approved to work with all insurance companies. If your home has been affected by a fire, call Restorerz – Emergency Services at (844) 234-1800 today.

Source:

https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-fire-damage-restoration-cost.htm

What Are California’s Asbestos Abatement Requirements?

Written by adleverage on September 8, 2023. Posted in Blog. No Comments on What Are California’s Asbestos Abatement Requirements?

Asbestos abatement is often a part of property restoration, but it must be performed per state laws. At Restorerz, our qualified professionals help with content restoration and provide many services to make properties habitable again. However, other specialists may be required, especially if asbestos is present. Here, we’ll look at what asbestos is, why it was banned, and California’s requirements for asbestos abatement, certification, and testing.

A Background on Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous silicate material derived from chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, or actinolite. It was commonly used between 1928 and 1977 to make lighter building materials stronger. California experienced significant growth during that time, so many structures contained asbestos. The mineral can break into small airborne particles and get trapped in the lungs. It can cause severe respiratory problems and is a known carcinogen.

The ban on asbestos hasn’t eliminated the problem. Buildings constructed after 1980 can still contain it if imported products contain harmful minerals. Agencies throughout California require surveys to check for asbestos-containing material (ACM) before starting any building renovation or demolition. These inspections are also required at the federal level.

Requirements for Asbestos Abatement in California

Asbestos is found in ceiling, stove, and pipe insulation, floor tiles, ductwork, roofing materials, and drywall joint patching compounds. There are strict regulations for removing it. Here’s a closer look at California’s asbestos abatement requirements:

Only a Certified Professional Can Handle/Remove Asbestos

To work on an asbestos project, an employee must be registered by the Asbestos Contractors’ Registration Unit. They can be certified at the Contractor/Supervisor, Building Inspector, Project Designer, or Management Planner level. Each type has different course requirements and must be renewed annually. Certification testing must be completed at a state-certified training facility.

The California Code of Regulations requires certification for anyone who performs asbestos-related work on projects with over 100 square feet of ACM (with a concentration above 0.1% or greater). An individual must also be registered as an Asbestos Consultant or Site Surveillance Technician with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health. These requirements are overseen by the Cal/OSHA Asbestos and Carcinogen Unit.

Testing for Asbestos

Asbestos testing must be performed by a licensed company. If air and surface samples tested in a laboratory contain asbestos, abatement is required. Although some asbestos-containing materials can be identified visually, accredited personnel can use specialized equipment to detect and report on the presence of asbestos.

Regulations on Asbestos Abatement

There are four recognized classes of asbestos operations. No matter what class applies to a site, workers must wear respirators and protective clothing (in multiple layers). The classes of asbestos abatement include:

Class I: Removal of asbestos from furnace and ductwork insulation.
Class II: Removal of asbestos-containing floor tiles, wallboard, sheeting, roofing, and other construction materials.
Class III: Involves repair or maintenance work, but doesn’t permit the dry cutting of asbestos-containing materials.
Class IV: For employees performing maintenance or custodial work but who don’t disturb the material.

Workers in all classes of abatement operations must protect themselves. However, those in Class I and Class II environments must operate in an enclosed and regulated area. Asbestos-containing materials must be soaked in water to limit airborne fibers and be intact to be removed.

Additional rules on abatement include:

Workers must have somewhere to change clothing and equipment to prevent contamination.
Barricades and warning signs must be placed around the affected area.
Asbestos abatement areas must be ventilated and contained with plastic tenting.
Waste materials must be double-bagged, tied in color-coded bags, and disposed of at an approved site.
If clothing is contaminated, it’s considered hazardous material and must be disposed of accordingly.

Retesting Requirements

Additional testing is required after asbestos abatement is completed. An area is considered safe only after an inspection finds no remaining asbestos particulates. A final abatement closeout report is issued. All required documents must be submitted to an independent third party that provides project oversight.

Contact Restorerz

If your property is affected by a flood, fire, or other disaster, we can help salvage your personal items and valuables. Content restoration helps preserve your belongings and memories. Also know that after a disaster, other outside services, such as asbestos abatement, may be required. We can help determine if other professionals are needed and coordinate with them. To request help, feel free to call us 24/7 at (844) 234-1800.