Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration

The moments after a house fire are overwhelming, but taking the right steps quickly can protect your health, your property, and your rights as a homeowner. First, do not re-enter the home until the fire department has declared it safe. Once cleared, if the structure has openings from the fire, you can have any contractor perform emergency board up and tarping — this is a simple, limited scope job and gets your property protected quickly. 

Here is important advice most people do not know: do not sign a contract with a restoration company the day of the fire for the full restoration. Fire chasers — much like ambulance chasers — will show up at the scene and pressure you to sign immediately. These are often local companies that monitor fire department dispatch calls and arrive before the smoke clears. If you need emergency board up and tarping, it is fine to sign a contract for that specific service only. But do not commit to the full restoration on the spot. You have time to research local restoration companies, read reviews, and choose the one you feel best about before signing anything further. 

We also recommend choosing your restoration company before calling your insurance carrier. A good local restoration company can help you navigate the claims process, understand your coverage, and protect your interests. Your insurance company cannot force you to use their preferred or approved vendor — that is your choice. 

Restoration 1 of Horry County is locally owned and has served Horry County since 2016. We will never show up uninvited or pressure you to sign anything on the spot. We earn your trust before we ask for your business. 

Yes — and this surprises many homeowners. Smoke and soot travel rapidly through a structure via HVAC systems, open doorways, and wall cavities. Rooms far from the fire can sustain significant smoke and soot damage even if they show no visible signs of burning. Smoke odor can permeate soft materials like furniture, clothing, carpet, and curtains throughout the entire home. This is why a thorough secondary damage assessment of the entire structure is a critical part of every fire restoration job. Restoration 1 of Horry County assesses the full structure — not just the burn area — to ensure all smoke and soot damage is identified and addressed before restoration begins. 

Yes — but it requires more than cleaning. Surface cleaning alone does not eliminate smoke odor because smoke particles penetrate deep into porous materials. Professional odor removal requires a combination of removing non-salvageable materials, deep cleaning salvageable surfaces, and applying advanced odor elimination technology. Restoration 1 of Horry County uses ozone generators and hydroxyl generators to eliminate smoke odors at the molecular level — not just mask them. Ozone treatment is one of the most effective methods available for permanent smoke odor elimination. If a previous restoration company left your home smelling like smoke, it likely means the job was not completed properly. 

In most cases yes — fire damage is one of the most commonly covered perils in homeowner insurance policies. Coverage typically includes structural demo, deodorization, cleaning and repairs, contents cleaning and replacement, and temporary housing if the home is uninhabitable. The key is proper documentation. Restoration 1 of Horry County provides full documentation including photos, scope of work, and Xactimate estimates supplied directly to your adjuster. We work directly with your insurance carrier — but we work for you, not the insurance company. Our goal is to make sure you get everything you are entitled to under your policy. 

In most cases after a fire you will not be able to stay in your home, at least initially. The fire department typically pulls the electrical panel during firefighting operations, leaving the home without power until a licensed electrician inspects and clears the system. For significant fire damage, homeowners are often out of their home for several months while restoration and repairs are completed. There are cases where fire damage is contained to one area and not too severe — in those situations remaining in the home may be possible once the structure is deemed safe and utilities are restored. Restoration 1 of Horry County and your insurance adjuster can help assess whether the home is habitable. If your insurance policy includes loss of use coverage, temporary housing costs are typically covered for the duration of the restoration.