Fire damage is wider than it looks
When we do fire damage appraisal in Delaware, the first step is understanding how far heat and smoke actually traveled. A modest kitchen fire can deposit soot in every room through the HVAC system. Protein smoke from a cooking fire leaves almost invisible residue with a strong odor. Heat can warp windows, wiring and framing well away from the flames.
Common disputes
- Clean versus replace for cabinets, flooring, insulation, ductwork and contents.
- Sealing and deodorization scoped for one room instead of the whole home.
- Structural repairs to charred framing, roof sheathing and trusses.
- Code upgrades triggered when electrical or framing must be brought to current code.
- Contents inventory where depreciation and replacement prices are disputed.
- Additional living expense when rebuilding takes longer than projected.
Total losses
When a home is destroyed, the question becomes what it costs to rebuild it as it was. We price reconstruction from the foundation up using the home’s actual size, layout and finishes, rather than a per-square-foot shortcut that may not reflect a custom or older Delaware home.
Contents claims after a fire
A family’s contents inventory can run to thousands of items. We help organize the inventory, assign comparable replacement prices and apply age-appropriate depreciation, so the contents portion of the award reflects what was actually lost.
Frequently asked questions
Can smoke damage be appraised separately?
Smoke damage is part of the same fire claim. Appraisal can resolve disputes about how far it reaches and whether items should be cleaned or replaced.
The carrier’s contractor wrote the estimate. Is that a problem?
Not by itself, but a preferred-vendor estimate may reflect pricing agreements rather than what your own contractor would charge. We compare both against current local pricing.
How long do I have to submit a contents inventory?
Check your policy and the carrier’s letters. Requests often come with deadlines, and many policies allow time to recover depreciation after replacement.
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