At Milidaro, we spend a lot of time on job sites that have been hit by fire. Whether it’s a small electrical blaze or a full-structure inferno, we’re always asked the same question: What will it cost to fix this? And the truth is, fire damage cost isn’t one simple number. It’s a layered total, shaped by dozens of moving parts that most people never consider until they’re faced with them.

That’s why we believe in giving our clients the full picture. We don’t sugarcoat it. Fire is unpredictable, and so are the costs associated with cleaning up after one. So here’s what really drives up the bill—and why those numbers can vary so much from one property to another.

The Real Work Starts After the Flames Are Out

When firefighters finish their job, ours begins. The first challenge isn’t always the fire damage itself—it’s what was done to stop the fire. Water, foam, and chemical suppressants often leave a huge mess. Walls are soaked. Floors swell. Mold moves in fast if drying doesn’t start immediately.

So we come in with industrial-grade fans and dehumidifiers, sometimes within hours. If we’re lucky, we can save subflooring or insulation. If not, full removal is necessary. That immediate cleanup effort can make up a large chunk of the early fire damage cost, and it’s not optional. Letting that moisture linger would be more expensive in the long run.

Smoke Travels Farther Than Flames

We’ve restored homes where the fire never left the kitchen, but the smoke reached every room. That’s the tricky part. Smoke clings to textiles, gets pulled into HVAC systems, and settles deep into walls. And unlike fire, it doesn’t just destroy—it contaminates.

Cleaning smoke damage takes time, chemicals, tools, and experience. We use ozone machines and thermal foggers to break down the particles. Soft surfaces like furniture, curtains, or bedding often can’t be saved. And when electronics or appliances have been exposed to smoke, we tread carefully. They may appear fine today, but the residue can corrode internal components over time.

All of that adds up fast. We always tell clients: don’t underestimate the cost of smoke. It’s not just cosmetic. It’s one of the most stubborn and expensive parts of the process.

Tearing Out and Starting Over

Sometimes the only way forward is demolition. Burned framing, scorched drywall, melted electrical wiring—there’s no saving these. We remove anything compromised by heat or contaminated by smoke. This part of the project is loud, messy, and necessary.

What makes this phase expensive is that we don’t just tear things down—we do it surgically. We preserve anything we safely can while getting rid of everything that poses a risk. It takes skilled labor, the right permits, and a lot of time. This is where the fire damage cost begins to ramp up in a noticeable way, especially in larger or older structures.

Rebuilding with Modern Standards

Once we clear out the damaged areas, we start rebuilding. And this is where we encounter the next surprise: code upgrades. If your building was constructed 20 or 30 years ago, there’s a good chance today’s building codes have changed. Fire restoration almost always triggers the need to bring things up to current standards.

That might mean installing fire-resistant drywall, upgrading to GFCI electrical outlets, improving ventilation, or adding sprinklers. These upgrades are often not covered in full by insurance—but they’re required to get your occupancy permit back.

At Milidaro, we don’t just rebuild what was there. We rebuild it better, smarter, and safer. But yes—those upgrades are part of the final fire damage cost, and we always walk our clients through every requirement before a single nail is driven.

Replacing What Was Inside

People often think of fire damage in terms of the structure. But contents—everything inside the building—can represent a huge portion of the loss. Clothing, electronics, kitchenware, tools, files, furniture—it all adds up.

We help clients assess what can be saved and what needs to be replaced. Some items can be professionally cleaned and restored. Others, especially porous or heat-sensitive materials, are a total loss. We document each item for insurance purposes, line by line. For businesses, that might include inventory, machinery, or customer data—things that go beyond furniture and fixtures.

Contents restoration is an emotional process, too. We treat it with care, but we also know how much it impacts the overall budget.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Repairs

Fire often damages the infrastructure of a building in ways that aren’t obvious right away. Pipes can crack from heat. Electrical wires can short or melt. HVAC systems can pull in soot and spread it through the ducts.

We bring in licensed professionals to inspect everything. Nothing gets turned back on until we’re sure it’s safe. That’s part of our commitment at Milidaro—no shortcuts, no guesswork.

These systems can be expensive to replace, especially if they’re behind walls or ceilings. But skipping them would be a huge liability. So yes, mechanical and electrical repairs often add a large, necessary cost to the restoration plan.

Keeping Businesses and Families Going

Fire doesn’t just damage property—it disrupts lives. Families need temporary housing. Businesses lose customers. Employees can’t work. That downtime comes with its own cost.

While we rebuild, we help our clients find temporary setups. For businesses, that might mean creating a short-term office space or redirecting customers to a secondary location. We’ve even helped set up temporary storefronts. We know how crucial continuity is.

That extra support may not show up in a line item labeled fire damage cost, but it’s very real. And we factor it into every plan we build.

Working with Insurance the Right Way

One of the most misunderstood parts of the entire process is insurance. Coverage varies wildly. Some policies cover replacement value. Others only cover depreciated value. Some cap coverage for certain categories. Others include special clauses for code upgrades or contents replacement.

That’s why our team at Milidaro works side-by-side with insurance adjusters. We provide detailed estimates, photos, damage assessments, and documentation. The faster and more complete the claim, the faster the rebuild moves forward. And the more control we all have over final fire damage cost.

Every Fire Is Different, But Our Process Stays the Same

We’ve worked on hundreds of fire restoration projects, and no two have been alike. Some are simple kitchen fires. Others are full-building catastrophes. But our approach is always consistent—thorough, professional, and transparent.

We know that the costs don’t stop when the flames go out. They unfold in layers—cleanup, demolition, rebuilding, contents, insurance, and more. It’s not just about putting up new walls. It’s about restoring what people lost, and doing it the right way.

At Milidaro, we don’t just repair buildings. We rebuild futures. And every step of the way, we help our clients understand exactly what goes into the final fire damage cost—no surprises, no hidden fees, just honest restoration work by people who care.