Structure, envelope and interiors rebuilt to pre-loss condition, with smoke and odor remediation documented so it does not come back as a complaint in month six.

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Fire

What is fire and smoke damage restoration?

Structure, envelope and interiors rebuilt to pre-loss condition, with smoke and odor remediation documented so it does not come back as a complaint in month six.

Fire and smoke damage restoration rebuilds a building after a fire: demolition of damaged materials, structural repair, smoke and odor remediation, and reconstruction of the envelope and interiors to pre-loss condition or better. Apex handles the rebuild on multifamily and commercial property, documents each step for the carrier and coordinates code upgrades triggered by the repair.

A fire loss is three different jobs stacked on top of each other: stabilizing the structure, getting the smoke and odor out of everything that stayed, and rebuilding what did not. Most contractors are good at one of those.

The odor is what comes back. A rebuild that looks finished and smells like the fire in month six is a warranty call, a resident complaint and a reputational problem all at once, so we treat smoke and odor remediation as a documented, tested phase rather than a step at the end.

14-40 wks
Phased by building

24/7
Dispatch from the nearest office

One contract
Stabilisation through reoccupancy

Scope

What a fire and smoke damage restoration scope includes

The line items we carry on a fire & smoke scope, and what each one actually covers.

Emergency board-up and stabilization
Securing the structure, shoring where needed, and protecting what survived, starting the night of the loss.

Structural and framing repair
Charred framing removed and replaced to engineered detail rather than cleaned and covered.

Smoke, soot and odor remediation
Cleaning, sealing and treatment under protocol, with verification before finishes go back.

Full interior rebuild and finishes
Framing, MEP, drywall, flooring, cabinetry and fixtures back to pre-loss condition or better.

Contents and inventory coordination
Pack-out, storage and return handled alongside the rebuild rather than as a separate orphan job.

Code-upgrade work identified separately
Required upgrades documented and priced on their own lines for the claim.

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The Sequence

How fire and smoke damage restoration runs on an occupied property

Four stages, one contract. Nothing here is a handoff to somebody else.

Stabilise
Board-up, shore and secure, dispatched from the nearest regional office with the scene documented from hour one.

Assess and document
Char mapping, smoke testing and a contents inventory captured for the claim while the evidence is still in place.

Rebuild in phases
Unaffected stacks stay occupied wherever the fire marshal allows, so the rent loss is contained.

Close the claim
Final scope reconciled, certificate of completion issued and one warranty handed over.

Apex walking a fire-damaged apartment unit to scope the rebuild

On the ground

Where fire and smoke damage restoration goes wrong, and how we prevent it

Odor verification
Smoke work is signed off on verification, not on schedule pressure. It is the single most common reason a fire rebuild comes back.

Units around the loss
The units that did not burn still took smoke and water. They get scoped, not assumed.

Reoccupancy sequence
Buildings come back in the order that gets the most residents home soonest, not in the order that is easiest to build.

Get this scoped on your property

Pricing

What drives fire and smoke damage restoration cost

Two contractors can price the same building a long way apart and both be honest about it. These are the variables that explain the gap — worth asking every bidder, not just us.

Extent of structural damage
Char depth and framing loss determine whether this is a repair or a rebuild, and it is rarely obvious from the corridor.

Smoke travel
Smoke and odour reach units the fire never touched. The affected area is almost always larger than the burn area.

Code upgrade triggers
A rebuild at this scale usually triggers current code for egress, alarm and electrical. Priced on its own lines.

Contents and displacement
Inventory, storage and resident relocation run alongside construction and are documented separately from it.

Fire and smoke rebuild work by Apex Contracting Group

Self-performed where it matters, subcontracted where it does not

The trades that decide whether this scope holds up are ours. Everything else runs through trade partners we have used in that market before, on our contract and our warranty.

One project manager and one superintendent, named before award
Weekly reporting against a schedule with real float in it
One warranty at closeout, whoever swung the hammer

Projects

Recent fire and smoke damage restoration projects

Three projects from the portfolio where this scope was the job, or a large part of it.

Browse the full portfolio

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FAQ

Fire and smoke damage restoration: common questions

What does fire and smoke damage restoration include?
Fire restoration covers securing the building, removing debris and damaged materials, cleaning and deodorizing smoke-affected areas, and rebuilding structure, envelope and interiors to pre-loss condition. Water damage from firefighting is usually part of the scope too. Apex handles stabilization through final rebuild on one contract and documents smoke and odor remediation for the claim file.

How long does it take to rebuild after a fire?
Rebuild time depends on the extent of structural damage, engineering and permit review, insurance scope agreement and material lead times. Localized unit damage moves much faster than a loss that affects roof framing or multiple floors. Apex publishes a building-by-building schedule once scope is agreed and updates it weekly.

Do you work directly with our insurance carrier after a fire?
Yes. Apex produces line-item estimates aligned to the loss scope, lists code-upgrade items and depreciation-related items separately, and keeps records in a form your adjuster can review directly. Apex is the contractor, not a public adjuster, so it documents damage and repair costs rather than negotiating your coverage.

How do you remove smoke odor permanently?
Permanent odor removal means removing or cleaning the source, not masking it. That involves removing charred and porous materials, cleaning surfaces and HVAC paths, applying odor-control treatments, and sealing remaining framing before rebuilding. Apex documents each step so odor does not return later as a resident complaint or a reopened claim.

Can residents stay in unaffected buildings during a fire rebuild?
Usually, yes. Apex contains work areas, controls air paths and keeps access routes clear so the rest of the community keeps operating while damaged units are rebuilt. Residents receive notices before work that affects shared areas, and noisy work is scheduled within agreed hours.

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