How We Work
Every Step Is Documented. Every Decision Is Yours.
We don't show up, look around, and hand you a bill. Our process is built around independent documentation, third-party laboratory testing, and licensed hygienist oversight — so that every finding is verifiable and every recommendation is grounded in evidence, not opinion.
Free Documented Inspection
We begin with a free, no-obligation inspection of your home. We look at every area that could have been affected — not just the room where the fire occurred. Smoke travels through HVAC systems, attic spaces, and wall cavities, and visible soot is often the least of what's present.
- No cost
- Covers all potentially affected areas, not just the fire room
- Written findings provided at the end of the visit
Photo Documentation of Findings
Everything we find is photographed and logged. This documentation is formatted for insurance review from the start — not assembled after the fact. A clear photographic record of conditions at the time of inspection is one of the most important assets in a smoke damage claim.
- Photographs of all visible findings
- Organized and formatted for insurance submission
- Establishes a baseline record of pre-remediation conditions
Independent Laboratory Testing
When inspection findings warrant it, we collect samples for analysis by an independent third-party laboratory. The testing protocol is written by a licensed industrial hygienist — not by us. This matters because the hygienist's findings are what drive the scope of work, and an independent protocol cannot be challenged as self-serving.
- Protocol written by a licensed industrial hygienist
- Samples sent to an independent, accredited laboratory
- Results are scientific — not influenced by remediation scope
Clear Walkthrough of Results
We walk you through every finding in plain language. You will understand what the lab found, what it means for your home, and what the hygienist's protocol requires before we proceed. No pressure, no urgency — just the facts.
- Plain-language explanation of all findings
- You decide whether to proceed — no pressure
- Full copy of lab results provided to you
Line-by-Line Estimates Matched to Findings
Our estimates are written line by line against the hygienist's prescribed scope — not as a lump sum. Every line item corresponds to a specific finding and a specific remediation task. This format is what insurance adjusters need to approve a claim, and it is what protects you if the scope is disputed.
- Estimates written against the hygienist's prescribed scope
- Line-item format — no lump sums
- Formatted for direct submission to your insurance carrier
Present at Every Insurance Inspection
We attend every insurance inspection of your property. When an adjuster walks the home, we are there — with the lab results, the hygienist's protocol, and the line-item estimates in hand. Homeowners who go through this process alone routinely have scope items denied that would have been approved with proper documentation and representation.
- Present at all insurance inspections
- Lab results and hygienist protocol on hand for the adjuster
- Scope items supported with documentation — not verbal claims
Remediation and Full Reconstruction — All Coordinated by Us
We coordinate everything from remediation through full reconstruction under one roof. Remediation scope is set entirely by the hygienist's protocol. Where the scope calls for it, we also coordinate full reconstruction — drywall, framing, finishes, and all trades — through to hygienist clearance. You do not manage multiple contractors. We do.
- Scope written by the hygienist — not by us
- Remediation and reconstruction coordinated under one contract
- All trades managed by us — you have one point of contact
- Work does not stop at remediation — we see it through to a finished home
Hygienist Clearance Testing
When remediation is complete, the licensed hygienist returns to conduct clearance testing using the same independent laboratory. Clearance is not issued by us — it is issued by the hygienist based on objective lab results. The home is not cleared until it meets the standard the hygienist set at the start.
- Post-remediation testing by the same independent lab
- Clearance issued by the hygienist — not by us
- Objective standard set at the beginning, verified at the end
Scope of Work
What an Approved Scope Commonly Includes
Most homeowners are surprised by the size of a properly documented smoke damage claim. That is not because the work is inflated — it is because smoke behaves differently than people expect. The items below reflect what a licensed hygienist may prescribe when testing confirms contamination. Scope is determined entirely by lab findings and the hygienist's written protocol.
Chemical cleaning of walls and ceilings
Soot and smoke residue on painted and unpainted surfaces is chemically cleaned to the hygienist's specified standard. This is typically one of the first line items in a confirmed contamination scope and applies to most affected rooms — not just the room where the fire occurred.
HVAC flex duct replacement
When the HVAC system was running during or after the fire, contaminated air moves through the entire duct system. Flexible ductwork is porous and cannot be cleaned to clearance standard — it is replaced. This is a common scope item that surprises homeowners and is frequently underdocumented in claims.
Attic insulation removal
Smoke rises. In homes with attic ventilation, fine particles settle into blown-in insulation throughout the attic — not just above the fire room. Insulation cannot be cleaned to clearance standard. When the hygienist's testing confirms contamination, the insulation is removed and replaced.
Attic encapsulation
After insulation is removed, the attic deck and framing surfaces are encapsulated to seal residual contamination before new insulation is installed. Encapsulation is a required step — not an optional upgrade — when the hygienist's protocol calls for insulation replacement.
Carpet and porous material replacement
Carpet, padding, and some wood surfaces absorb fine particles that cannot be extracted by cleaning. Where the hygienist's protocol requires replacement rather than cleaning, these materials are removed. This is a standard scope item in homes where the HVAC distributed smoke throughout the living areas.
Full reconstruction
Where structural damage or the remediation scope requires it, we coordinate full reconstruction — drywall, framing, finishes, and all trades — through to hygienist clearance. You do not manage separate contractors for remediation and rebuild. We handle both under one contract, with one point of contact, until the hygienist clears the home.
Not every home requires every item above. Some homes require none. This list is not a menu we sell from — it is what the evidence may require.
What Makes This Process Different
Independent, not self-reported
We do not test our own work. The laboratory is independent. The hygienist is independent. The clearance criteria are set by the hygienist, not by us.
Evidence-based scope
Remediation scope is determined by what the lab finds and what the hygienist prescribes — not by what we think looks like a reasonable job.
Insurance-ready documentation
Every step produces documentation that is formatted and organized for insurance review. Photo records, lab reports, hygienist protocols, and clearance certificates are all part of the file.
No pressure at any stage
The inspection is free. The documentation is yours to keep. If lab results come back clean, we tell you that and we leave.
Common Questions About the Process
Get Started
The First Step Is Free. Always.
A 15–20 minute documented inspection at no cost.