How to Rebuild Homes After Fire Damage
Rebuilding a home after fire damage does not have to be a stressful process. The loss of the homeowner’s belongings is hard enough to handle, so it is important to follow the correct steps to properly rebuild the home. The homeowner can choose to build the same type of home, or to make some changes that will add more comfort.
- Contact your homeowner’s insurance company to inform the agent of the fire damage. Find out when the agent will send out a claims adjuster to your property. Ask the agent to explain the rebuilding process, so you can start to make plans for the restoration of your home. Also contact your home lender to inform a loan officer about the fire.
- Salvage as much as you can from your home. Be careful as you walk through the remains of your house. Ask the fire department when you can start to look through the site so you do not sustain any injuries.
- Meet with the insurance adjuster at your home. If you know the cause of the fire, be sure to inform the adjuster. Find out how long it will take for the claim to file so you can begin to meet with contractors to rebuild your home.
- Ask the insurance agent for a recommendation on a builder to use if you do not have a preference. The agent should have several contractors for you to call, which can help you decide which one is the best for the job. If you have the original house blueprints, give them to the builder you choose. If the blueprints were lost in the fire, work with an architect to draw up a set of new house plans.
- Finalize the claim with your insurance agent so the rebuilding process can get underway. Ask the contractor to get in touch with the agent to avoid any confusion about the payment for the restoration. Call your home lender as well to give the loan officer an update on the claim.