Fire Damage Restoration Cost: Smoke, Soot and Rebuild
Fire damage restoration averages about $27,000 nationally, but the range is huge: a smoky kitchen can be cleaned for a few thousand dollars, while a fire that reached the structure can pass $50,000. Cleanup runs about $4 to $7 per square foot before rebuilding.
Updated November 2026 · 6 min read
These are national price ranges for education only. They are not a quote or a promise of what any company will charge for your home.
Cost by type of work
National ranges from Angi’s fire damage cost data:
| Work | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Smoke damage cleanup | $200 to $1,200 per room |
| Soot removal | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Water removal from firefighting | $1,000 to $6,000 |
| Thermal fogging (odor) | $200 to $600 |
| Ozone treatment (odor) | $400 to $800 |
| Furniture and fabric deodorizing | $200 to $1,000 |
| Air duct cleaning | $250 to $500 |
Rebuild costs
Cleanup is usually the smaller part of the bill. What burned, or was soaked by hoses, gets rebuilt:
| Repair | Typical national range |
|---|---|
| Drywall | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Electrical repair | $900 to $3,000 |
| Roof repair | $400 to $1,800 |
| Roof replacement | $5,900 to $12,800 |
| Kitchen rebuild | $14,600 to $41,300 |
| Flooring | $400 to $20,000 |
Why smoke damage costs more than it looks
Smoke travels well beyond the fire. It’s pulled through the HVAC system and into closets, wall cavities and the attic, so rooms that look untouched often need cleaning and odor treatment. A greasy kitchen fire leaves a sticky residue that takes longer to clean than dry soot. Skipping hidden areas is the most common reason smoke smell comes back months later.
Does insurance pay for fire damage restoration?
Fire is a covered peril in standard homeowners and renters policies. The claim usually includes the structure, your belongings, and additional living expenses while you live elsewhere. Your share is normally the deductible, plus anything above policy limits. Keep receipts for everything, and get the restoration scope in writing so it can be compared with the adjuster’s estimate.
What moves the price
- How far the fire spread, and whether it reached framing or the roof
- How much water firefighters used, and how quickly drying started
- Whether smoke went through the ductwork to every room
- How many belongings are cleaned rather than replaced
- Board-up and tarping to protect the house in the meantime
When it needs a professional
Anything beyond a small, contained stovetop flare-up needs a crew: soot smears if wiped with water, and odor sits in places you can’t reach. See how fire damage restoration is handled, and use the after-a-house-fire checklist for the first days.
Fire damage cost questions
How much does smoke damage cleanup cost?
About $200 to $1,200 per room nationally for cleaning, plus odor treatment. Whole-house smoke cleanup after a significant fire is often several thousand dollars.
Is it cheaper to rebuild or restore after a fire?
Restoring is usually cheaper when the structure is sound. If framing is badly charred across much of the house, rebuilding can make more sense; an adjuster and contractor work that out together.
Can you get smoke smell out of a house completely?
Yes, when the source materials are removed or sealed and the structure, ducts and contents are cleaned and deodorized. Masking sprays don’t last.
Who pays for fire restoration?
For insured homeowners, the insurance company pays the approved scope, minus the deductible. The restoration company often works directly with the adjuster.