Fire Damage Restoration NYC: $3,083 to $52,031 + FDNY Report

Restoration rows are national figures; no publisher we checked lists a New York City price.

Do this now: the first hours after a fire in NYC

1. Do not go back inside until the fire department says it is safe. The Red Cross says to follow local fire authorities and not to cross colored tape on doors or windows.
2. Smell gas or hear hissing? Leave and call 911 from outside.
3. Keep the main power and water off until a professional says they are safe, FEMA says.
4. Photograph every room and every damaged item before cleanup, including things you throw away.
5. Call your insurer to open the claim. Do not sign an assignment of benefits or any contract that hands your claim to a contractor.
6. Protect the building. Once firefighters leave, it is your responsibility to protect it from weather, theft and vandalism, the U.S. Fire Administration says.

How to get an FDNY fire incident report (no fee)

FDNY fire incident reports are free: its request form, PR08, says there is no fee to receive copies. You can ask online through NYC OpenRecords or by mail with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the FDNY Bureau of Legal Affairs, FOIL Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201. The FOIL Unit's phone is (718) 999-0293.

The form asks for the incident report number and the box number if you know them, plus the date and time of the fire, the address, the borough and the ZIP code. Your insurer will likely want the report, so request it early and keep a copy with your photos.

Is it urgent? What cannot wait after a fire

Three things cannot wait after an NYC fire: drying the water, securing the openings, and starting the claim. Firefighting water soaks walls and floors, and the EPA says wet materials dried within 24 to 48 hours usually will not grow mold. HomeGuide advises hiring a restoration company as soon as possible, usually within 48 hours. Firefighters often vent windows and roofs, so windows and holes need boarding before rain or theft, the U.S. Fire Administration says.

What smoke and soot restoration covers

A fire restoration job covers debris and odor removal, cleaning or discarding contents, drying water, smoke and soot cleaning, and repairing or replacing building materials, HomeGuide says. HomeAdvisor prices soot removal at $2,000 to $6,000 and adds duct cleaning and deodorizing to many jobs. The industry standard is ANSI/IICRC S700, first published in 2025. Smoke-only jobs are on smoke damage restoration.

Rebuilding in NYC: licenses for the repair work

Repairs after an NYC fire often need several licenses. Plumbing permits must be pulled by a Licensed Master Plumber, and DOB says an electrical permit is required for most electrical work. General repairs on a home are home improvement work, which needs a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license when the job costs more than $200. DCWP says to get a written, signed contract, pay no more than 25% up front, and never pay in cash.

New York City's buildings are old: the median year built is 1952, and 38.2% of housing units date to 1939 or earlier, the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 survey shows. Older wiring and plaster can raise the repair bill, so ask for a written scope before demolition starts.

Local rules, programs and contacts for New York City, from the official pages listed under Sources unless the source column says otherwise.

Questions to ask a fire restoration company in NYC

1. Will you give me a written scope and photos I can send to my insurer, without taking over my claim?
2. What is your DCWP license number, and who will pull the DOB permits for plumbing and electrical repairs?
3. How will you handle soot in the ducts and the water left by firefighting?
4. Can I see proof of insurance before work starts?

More help after a fire in NYC

Water left by the hoses: water damage restoration in NYC. The national fire damage restoration guide covers the first 48 hours anywhere. Other cities: fire damage restoration in Chicago and fire damage restoration in Raleigh. Plumbing repairs: plumber in NYC. Calls to the fire damage line go to an independent company that serves your area and takes this kind of job (how calls work).