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AfterHow Much Does Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Cost in Fort Lauderdale?
Fire and smoke damage restoration in Fort Lauderdale typically costs between $2,800 and $8,500 for a moderate house fire affecting two to three rooms, with small kitchen fires starting around $900 and whole-home restorations reaching $35,000 or more. Most homeowners pay roughly $4,800 for cleanup, odor removal, and structural repairs. The final number depends on how far smoke traveled, whether water from firefighting soaked building materials, and how quickly restoration begins.
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s what we see across Fort Lauderdale jobs in 2026. These are real working numbers from the local market, not national averages pulled from a database. Prices shift with square footage, soot density, and how much of the home the fire department had to open up.
| Service | Typical Cost Range | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency board-up and tarping | $450 – $1,200 | Securing windows, doors, and roof openings the same day |
| Soot and smoke residue cleanup (per room) | $600 – $1,800 | Walls, ceilings, trim, and hard surfaces wiped with chem-sponge and HEPA vacuuming |
| Ozone or thermal fogging odor treatment | $350 – $900 | Whole-room odor neutralization for smoke that penetrated drywall and insulation |
| Duct and HVAC cleaning after a fire | $500 – $1,500 | Removing soot from supply and return ducts so the system doesn’t recirculate smoke |
| Content cleaning (furniture, clothing, soft goods) | $800 – $3,500 | Ultrasonic or immersion cleaning of salvageable belongings plus off-site storage if needed |
| Water extraction and structural drying | $1,000 – $4,000 | Removing firefighting water from floors, walls, and subfloor with professional drying equipment |
| Drywall and insulation replacement | $1,500 – $5,000 | Cutting out charred or water-damaged material and reinstalling to code |
| Paint, trim, and finish restoration | $1,200 – $4,500 | Sealing smoke stains with stain-blocking primer and repainting affected areas |
| Full kitchen fire restoration (small grease fire) | $3,000 – $8,000 | Cabinet cleaning or replacement, countertop work, appliance assessment, repainting |
| Whole-home fire restoration (moderate | $12,000 – $35,000+ | Multi-room cleanup, structural repair, odor elimination, and finish work |
What pushes a job toward the higher end? Three things, mostly. First, how long soot sits before cleanup starts. Soot is acidic and it etches into paint, glass, and metal within 48 to 72 hours. That’s why we tell Fort Lauderdale homeowners to call the same day if they can. Second, water. A fire department puts down hundreds of gallons of water to knock out a kitchen fire, and that water soaks into drywall, subfloor, and cabinetry within minutes. Water damage restoration becomes part of the fire restoration job, not a separate line item. Third, odor. Smoke travels farther than the fire itself. A small fire in a Pembroke Pines kitchen can push smoke into attic insulation and the HVAC system, and full odor removal will require more than wiping down walls.
What Affects Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Pricing in Fort Lauderdale
- Square footage of the affected area. A 200-square-foot kitchen fire is a very different job than a fire that spread through a 1,800-square-foot single-story home in Victoria Park. Restoration companies price by affected square footage, not total home size.
- How long the home sat before restoration started. In Fort Lauderdale’s humid climate, soot and water combine fast. Humidity accelerates corrosion on metal surfaces and drives smoke odor deeper into porous materials. A job that starts within 24 hours costs less than one that starts a week later.
- Type of smoke and fire. Grease fires leave a dense, sticky residue that is harder to clean than dry, high-heat smoke from a wood or paper fire. Protein fires, common in kitchens, leave an invisible film that requires specialized cleaning agents to remove.
- Whether water from firefighting soaked structural materials. This is the biggest wildcard. If the fire department had to open walls or the ceiling to reach the fire, you’re now paying for drywall replacement, insulation replacement, and professional drying equipment, not just soot cleanup.
- How far smoke traveled through the home. Smoke follows airflow. In Fort Lauderdale homes with central air conditioning running, smoke from a small fire can reach every room through the ductwork. Duct cleaning and whole-home odor treatment add $500 to $1,500 to the total.
- Whether contents need professional cleaning or disposal. Furniture, clothing, bedding, and electronics absorb smoke deeply. Ultrasonic content cleaning and ozone treatment can save many items, but it costs more than simply inventorying and disposing of them. Your insurance adjuster will usually cover either path.
How Much Does Fire Damage Restoration Cost by Type of Fire in Fort Lauderdale?
Most calls we get in Fort Lauderdale fall into a few common categories. Here’s what each one typically runs.
Kitchen Grease Fire Restoration: $3,000 – $12,000
Kitchen fires are the most common residential fire type in Broward County. A stovetop grease fire that gets out of hand usually damages the range hood, cabinets above the stove, the ceiling, and nearby countertops. Soot from a grease fire is thick and sticky and won’t come off with standard cleaners. You’re looking at cabinet replacement or professional refinishing, ceiling repair, repainting, and aggressive odor treatment. A small grease fire contained to the stovetop and range hood can run as low as $3,000. A fire that spread into upper cabinets and the ceiling commonly lands between $7,000 and $12,000.
Electrical Fire Restoration: $4,000 – $18,000
Electrical fires in older Fort Lauderdale homes, especially in neighborhoods like Sailboat Bend and Riverside Park with mid-century construction, often start at the panel or at an outlet. These fires tend to burn hot and fast inside walls. Restoration usually requires opening the wall cavity, replacing wiring and insulation, and treating the wall cavity for odor before resealing. The electrical repair itself is handled by a licensed electrician, and the restoration work runs concurrently. Expect $4,000 on the low end for a single outlet fire and $18,000 or more when the fire traveled through multiple wall cavities.
Small Bathroom or Laundry Room Fire: $2,500 – $7,500
When a dryer fire or bathroom fan fire stays contained to one room, the cost stays manageable. You’re typically paying for soot cleanup, ceiling repair, repainting, and odor treatment in a single room with maybe some hallway work. The smaller the room, the lower the cost. A contained laundry room fire usually runs between $2,500 and $5,000 in Fort Lauderdale, and a bathroom fire is similar.
Whole-Home Smoke Damage Without a Structural Fire: $2,000 – $6,000
Sometimes the fire department puts out a fire quickly, but smoke and soot travel everywhere. No structural damage, but every surface in the home needs cleaning, and the HVAC system needs servicing. This is common in attached homes and condos in Fort Lauderdale, where smoke from a neighboring unit can enter your space. Expect $2,000 for a smaller condo and up to $6,000 for a larger single-family home when every room plus the ductwork needs treatment.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in Fort Lauderdale?
In almost every case, yes. Fire is a covered peril on standard Florida homeowners insurance policies, including HO-3 policies that most Fort Lauderdale homeowners carry. The insurance company will pay for restoration, minus your deductible. Florida deductibles for fire are typically a fixed dollar amount, usually $1,000 to $2,500, rather than a percentage of home value like hurricane deductibles.
Here’s what matters for your claim: have a restoration company document everything before work starts. Photographs. Itemized damage reports. Moisture readings. An inventory of affected contents. The more thoroughly the damage is documented, the smoother the claim process. Dryden Restoration Fort Lauderdale works directly with insurance adjusters, and Carl Brandt has been handling insurance restoration jobs in this market since 2005, so the paperwork side moves without surprise.
One thing to watch: some policies have separate limits for smoke damage from sources outside the home, like a neighbor’s fire or a wildfire. If smoke entered your home but no fire occurred on your property, call your agent and confirm coverage before work begins. Your restoration company can help you document the damage and submit the claim correctly.
How the Restoration Process Works, Step by Step
Here’s the order of operations on a typical fire restoration job in Fort Lauderdale. This sequence matters because it directly affects what you pay.
- Emergency contact and assessment (same day). You call, a live person answers, and we schedule an on-site assessment. Carl or one of our senior technicians walks the property, identifies the full scope of damage, and documents everything for insurance.
- Board-up and tarping (hours 1 to 4). If the fire department opened walls, broke windows, or cut holes in the roof, the home is exposed. We secure every opening the same day to prevent rain, pests, and unauthorized entry. In Fort Lauderdale’s afternoon thunderstorm season, this step is urgent.
- Water extraction and drying (days 1 to 3). Firefighting water gets extracted and professional drying equipment gets placed. We use Dri-Eaz and Phoenix dehumidifiers and high-volume air movers, monitored daily with moisture meters. This prevents mold from the water damage compounding your fire restoration cost.
- Soot and smoke residue removal (days 2 to 7). Technicians use HEPA vacuums, dry chem-sponges, and specialized cleaning agents to remove soot from every affected surface, including inside cabinets and closets. The soot has to go before painting or sealing can happen.
- Odor treatment (days 3 to 10). Ozone generators or thermal fogging equipment neutralize smoke odor molecules that have penetrated drywall, insulation, and wood. We also clean ductwork so the HVAC system doesn’t push smoke odor back into the house every time the AC kicks on.
- Structural repair and content restoration (days 7 to 21). Damaged drywall gets cut out and replaced, insulation is installed, painting and finish work begins. Cleanable contents get cleaned off-site or in a contained area, and unsalvageable items get documented and disposed of per your insurance adjuster’s direction.
- Final walkthrough and guarantee (day 21+). We walk the property with you, confirm the odor is gone, the structure is sound, and every surface is clean. You receive a written 365-Day Done Right Promise covering every repair we performed.
How to Save on Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration
Fire restoration is not the place to shop for the lowest bid. A cheap cleanup that leaves soot behind the drywall or smoke odor in the ductwork means you pay twice. That said, there are practical ways to keep costs down without cutting corners.
- Start cleanup within 48 hours. Soot becomes harder to remove the longer it sits. Acidity etches surfaces and odor migrates deeper into porous materials. The faster restoration begins, the less equipment and labor are required. Fort Lauderdale’s humidity makes this more important than in drier climates.
- Don’t throw anything away until your adjuster sees it. Insurance pays for content cleaning and restoration. If you toss damaged items before they’re inventoried, you lose the claim value. Let your restoration company inventory everything first.
- Contain the affected area if you’re waiting. Close doors to unaffected rooms and turn off the HVAC system to prevent soot and odor from circulating. This keeps a small fire from becoming a whole-home restoration job.
- Get a written estimate before any work starts. This is non-negotiable with us. The Kingswell Way says the price before the work, always. You’ll know the number before a tool leaves the truck. No changes at the door.
- Ask about what can be cleaned versus what needs replacing. A good restoration company will save wood trim, cabinets, and furniture wherever possible, which is cheaper than replacing them. Drywall and insulation usually get replaced because they’re porous and absorbent. Ask your restoration team to be specific about what they’re cleaning and what they’re cutting out.
For an exact price on your Fort Lauderdale fire damage job, call (754) 354-1250. Estimates are free, the price is written, and no work starts until you approve it.
FAQs – Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Cost
How much does fire and smoke damage restoration cost per square foot in Fort Lauderdale?
Fire and smoke restoration in Fort Lauderdale typically runs $8 to $22 per square foot of affected space, depending on the severity of soot, odor penetration, and water damage from firefighting. Light soot cleanup on painted drywall is on the lower end. Structural repair with insulation replacement and odor sealing runs higher. Call (754) 354-1250 for a free, itemized assessment of your specific situation.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace after a fire?
Cleaning and repairing surfaces is almost always cheaper than replacing them. Repainting a soot-damaged ceiling costs $400 to $800, replacing that same ceiling runs $1,500 to $3,000. The exception is porous materials like drywall and insulation, where replacement is usually cheaper than attempting to remove deeply embedded odor. A competent restoration company will tell you which category each surface falls into, in writing, before work begins.
How much does smoke odor removal cost in Fort Lauderdale?
Standalone smoke odor removal in Fort Lauderdale costs $350 to $900 per room for ozone or thermal fogging treatment, plus $500 to $1,500 for duct cleaning if the HVAC system was running during the fire. Most whole-home odor jobs land between $2,000 and $4,500. If odor has penetrated insulation and drywall, those materials usually need replacement, which adds cost. Call (754) 354-1250 for a free odor assessment and a firm written price.
How soon can fire restoration start in Fort Lauderdale?
Same day, in most cases. Dryden Restoration Fort Lauderdale has technicians on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we can have a crew on site for board-up, tarping, and initial assessment within hours of your call. Soot and water damage compounds quickly in South Florida humidity, so starting fast is a real cost-saving measure. Call (754) 354-1250 any time, day or night, and a live person will answer.
Does fire damage restoration include cleaning my furniture and clothes?
Yes, content cleaning is a standard part of fire restoration. Furniture, clothing, bedding, and hard goods can often be salvaged through ultrasonic cleaning, immersion cleaning, and ozone treatment. This typically costs $800 to $3,500 depending on the volume of contents. Items that can’t be saved get inventoried and documented for your insurance claim. Ask your restoration company what their content cleaning process includes before you sign anything.
How long does fire and smoke damage restoration take in Fort Lauderdale?
Most moderate fire restoration jobs in Fort Lauderdale take 14 to 28 days from start to final walkthrough. Water extraction and drying take the first 3 to 5 days. Soot removal and odor treatment run concurrently over the first 7 to 10 days. Structural repair, painting, and content restoration fill the back half. Larger jobs with structural damage can run 6 to 10 weeks. Your written estimate will include a timeline, and the Kingswell Guarantee commits to a named arrival window on every scheduled day.
Why Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Choose Dryden Restoration
Dryden Water Damage Restoration has worked on home fires across Fort Lauderdale since 2005. We’re an independently owned and operated Kingswell company, which means we answer to our customers, not a corporate office in another state. Every job we do follows the same principles: written price before any work starts, background-checked uniformed technicians showing up in the window we gave, professional-grade equipment, and a 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing on every repair.
Carl Brandt leads our restoration team. If you’ve had a fire, you’re dealing with enough. You don’t need to chase a contractor, decode a vague estimate, or wonder if the job was done right. You need someone who answers the phone, tells you the truth about cost, and puts the guarantee on paper. That’s what we do. Learn more about our fire and smoke damage restoration services in Fort Lauderdale, or call now for a free estimate.
If your home has had a fire, don’t wait. Soot is acidic and water is soaking into your structure right now. Call (754) 354-1250 and a live person will answer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll give you a written price before any work begins, and we’ll stand behind every repair for a full year.
Pricing reflects the Fort Lauderdale market as of 2026. Dryden Restoration Fort Lauderdale offers free estimates – call (754) 354-1250.
Written by Carl Brandt, Owner at Dryden Restoration Fort Lauderdale, serving Fort Lauderdale since 2005.
What Our Customers Say
"Pipe burst under the sink while we were at work and the kitchen floor was soaked. Called Dryden and someone was there in under an hour with fans and a moisture meter. They stopped it from spreading into the living room."
- Gerald Foster"Dishwasher leaked for who knows how long under the cabinets. They found the hidden moisture, dried it, and treated it so mold wouldn't start. Explained everything and stood behind it in writing."
- Hailey Brennan"Roof leak soaked a bedroom ceiling. They dried it, found the wet insulation I'd have missed, and coordinated with my insurance. Kept me in the loop the whole time."
- Alma Reyes