Fire and smoke damage restoration in Manchester
A fire leaves three problems. There is what burned. There is the smoke and soot that went everywhere else. And there is the water used to put it out. Fixr puts fire damage restoration at $3,000 to $40,000, with an $11,900 national average. Most of that range is the difference between one smoky kitchen and a rebuild.
What fire restoration covers
- Securing the house. Boarding windows and doors and tarping the roof so weather and trespassers stay out.
- Water from the firefight. Hoses put a lot of water into a house. It needs the same fast drying as any water loss. Otherwise it becomes a mold problem on top of a fire.
- Removing what burned. Charred framing and anything that can't be cleaned.
- Soot and smoke cleanup. Surfaces and contents, plus the ductwork. Fixr lists soot removal at $400 to $1,700: dry soot about $400 to $700, oily soot $1,000 or more.
- Odor. Smoke odor lives in porous materials. Fixr lists thermal fogging at $200 to $550 per floor and ozone treatment at $300 to $600 per floor.
- Rebuild, by the same company or a contractor.
Why winter matters here
The NFPA reports that home heating fires peak in the three winter months. In a Manchester winter that is also when a house without heat starts freezing: a fire that knocks out the furnace or the power can split pipes in the days after. Ask the restoration company to drain or heat the plumbing if the house will sit empty.
What it costs
| Item | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fire damage restoration, typical job | $3,000 to $40,000, $11,900 average | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
| Restoration, per square foot | $4 to $6.50 per square foot | Fixr |
| Smoke odor cleanup | $200 to $1,200 | Fixr |
| Soot removal | $400 to $1,700 | Fixr |
| Thermal fogging | $200 to $550 per floor | Fixr |
National published figures, not Manchester quotes. Full cost guide.
Before you sign
Fire jobs are big, and the paperwork comes fast. A plain authorization to board up and start drying is normal. Read anything that assigns your insurance benefits, and ask how contents are inventoried, where they are stored, and how cleaning is priced per item. New Hampshire doesn't license restoration companies, so ask for proof of insurance. What to do after a house fire.
Questions Manchester homeowners ask
Can I turn the heat back on after a fire?
Not until the system is checked. Running the furnace or air handler can push soot through the ducts into rooms that were clean. In winter, ask the restoration company about temporary heat so the pipes don't freeze.
Can smoke-damaged clothes and furniture be saved?
Often. Hard goods and many fabrics clean well; porous items close to the fire usually don't, and food never does. The company should give you an itemized list of what was cleaned and what was discarded, for your claim.
How soon should cleanup start?
As soon as the house is released and your insurer has been told. Water from the firefight is on the same 24 to 48 hour clock as any water damage, according to the EPA's mold guidance.