In this article, we’re going to discuss how long it takes before you can safely move back into your house that has been damaged by fire.
You’ll gain practical insights into recovery timelines and crucial safety factors, so you’ll have a clearer idea of what to expect and can navigate the aftermath effectively.
Read on for helpful answers.
How Long After a Fire Can You Move Back In?
Very minor incidents might allow you to return in days. However, the typical experience for homeowners is a time frame that can vary from a few weeks to several months, or even a year or more if a complete rebuild is necessary.
The duration can be impacted by factors such as:
- Severity of damage: Naturally, the worse it is, the longer it takes to make your home safe to return to.
- Type of damage: Fire, smoke, and water damage from fighting the fire require different restoration approaches. Each has its own timeline.
- Speed of restoration: The earlier work begins and wraps up, the sooner you’ll be back home.
- Insurance claims: Waiting on approval or payout may drag things out.
- Permit process: You’ll usually need permits for major repairs or rebuilding. That takes extra time.
How Long Does Fire Damage Restoration Take?
Fire restoration timelines vary widely, depending on the amount of damage and how severe it is.
A professional assessment is vital to get a precise time frame for your situation.The ones below are general estimates based on common industry standards and averages.
- Minor Damage
Small incidents like a small house kitchen fire often involve light smoke, soot, and odor and no structural issues.
In this instance, professional services for clean up after fire damage can typically be completed within a window of a few days to 2-3 weeks.
Restoration focuses on removing smoke residue, neutralizing odors, and cleaning salvageable items.
- Moderate Damage
When a fire is intense but contained, localized structural damage, significant water damage, and widespread smoke and soot can result.
The work entails thorough drying to prevent mold, removing unrestorable, water-soaked materials (like drywall and flooring), structural repairs, and thorough cleaning.
That typically takes anywhere from 1-4 months, although the exact timing depends on the scope of repairs and particular areas impacted.
- Extensive Damage
In cases where the structure is severely compromised or declared a complete or near-total loss, it’s about rebuilding a house after a fire.
That involves demolition, architectural planning, permitting, and construction.
As for how long it takes to rebuild a house after a fire, expect it to generally fall between 7-18 months. Issues with contractor availability or getting materials or permits could make it take longer.
What Are the Health Risks of Fire Damage?
If you move back in before damage is properly handled, you could end up with health problems that you might not notice right away.
Understanding the risks and knowing what to do after a home fire can make a big difference, as some issues can lead to serious illnesses if not addressed.
- Soot and Ash Contamination
Soot and ash are pervasive hazards in a fire-damaged home.
These microscopic particles settle deep into furniture, clothing, and vents, and become easily airborne when disturbed. Regular daily activity, air movement, or cleaning can send particles back into the air.
Prolonged exposure from living in this contaminated environment can worsen ongoing respiratory illnesses like bronchitis, asthma, and COPD, or lead to their development.
- Toxic Chemical Exposure
Burning plastics, treated wood, and synthetics release toxic chemicals that off-gas for weeks from porous items like couches and curtains.
These substances are linked to cancer and organ damage.
A fire can also disturb asbestos or lead paint in older homes. Asbestos scars your lungs. Lead is known to impair brain function.
- Mold Growth
Water used to put out the flames creates perfect conditions for rapid mold growth, often in out-of-sight spaces.
Once airborne, the spores can trigger allergies or severe asthma attacks, or lead to respiratory or fungal infections.
Some molds produce toxins, which can cause more serious problems, sometimes affecting multiple organs in the body.
- Carbon Monoxide Exposure
You may not know a furnace, stove, or water heater is damaged and leaking low levels of carbon monoxide, with the gas building up indoors.
Even small amounts over time may cause headaches, tiredness, and confusion.
Unchecked, it can lead to memory loss, heart problems, neurological damage, and, in severe cases, can be deadly.
Given these health risks, it’s important to carefully weigh your options before deciding to return. Particularly if the risks feel too high and the damage overwhelming, you don’t have to rebuild your house after a fire.
Exploring other solutions may be a safer, less stressful choice.
The Safest Solution After a House Fire
With a home impacted by fire, you want a quick resolution. For many, that’s selling to one of the companies that buy fire-damaged houses.
Choosing this option and then purchasing a new house offers a safe solution and a faster return to normalcy.
Consider the additional advantages of this option:
- You don’t have to invest time or money in fixing what the fire destroyed. You can sell the property as is.
- These companies buy for cash. So, there are no worries about your damaged home not qualifying for a mortgage that a normal buyer would need to buy your house.
- Direct cash deals are quick and easy, often closing in 1-2 weeks.
- There’s no need for inspections or appraisals, which can delay or even derail a transaction if issues arise.
- Since you’re selling straight to the buyer, you skip the agent fees.
- With a professional cash house buyer, you won’t be responsible for closing costs either.
After a house fire, you’ve got more than enough on your to-do list. So, we’ve done the homework for you by vetting and approving trusted local companies.
That makes it quick and easy to get a cash offer, review the options on your own terms, and decide what makes the most sense for you.
If you’re still weighing your options, read our guide on how to sell a fire-damaged house. It provides clear guidance and practical steps.
