Fire damage restoration for Albany and the Capital Region.
Structural rebuild, smoke damage remediation, and contents removal after a fire. We work directly with your insurance adjuster so you don’t have to manage two separate contractors.
Emergency response available · Mon–Fri 8AM–5PM regular hours
Secure, document, remediate, rebuild.
Fire damage restoration is a specific sequence. Skipping steps — or combining remediation and rebuild without documentation — creates insurance and code problems. We follow the correct order every time.
Emergency board-up & tarping
Within 24 hours of contact, we secure open areas — broken windows, missing roof sections, compromised walls — with plywood and heavy-duty poly. This stops weather intrusion and satisfies insurance requirements for mitigating further damage.
Insurance documentation
We photograph and document all damage in detail, produce a line-item scope of work in the format your insurer requires, and can meet your adjuster on site. We also complete a Matterport 3D scan of the damaged space for the insurance file.
Demo and remediation
Affected materials — charred framing, smoke-saturated drywall, damaged insulation — are removed and disposed of properly. Remaining structural elements are treated with smoke-sealing primer. Duct systems are cleaned before any reconstruction begins.
Structural rebuild
Permitted reconstruction of all affected areas: framing, roofing, electrical, plumbing, insulation, drywall, cabinetry, flooring, and finish. Final inspection by local building department closes the permit and documents completion for your insurer.
What we restore after a fire.
Kitchen fire rebuild
Grease fires and appliance fires are the most frequent residential fire loss in Albany. Scope typically includes cabinet and countertop replacement, drywall, electrical panel assessment, and smoke remediation in adjacent rooms.
Electrical fire damage
Wiring fires in walls or attic spaces require full electrical inspection and often panel replacement. We coordinate with a licensed electrician and ensure every circuit in the affected area is inspected before drywall closes.
Smoke & soot remediation
Even in fires that don’t cause structural damage, smoke infiltrates HVAC systems and porous materials throughout the home. We handle HEPA cleaning, chemical sponge treatment, sealing, and duct cleaning — documented for your insurer.
Full structural rebuild
When fire compromises load-bearing walls, floor systems, or the roof, we work with a structural engineer to design the rebuild. Full permit set, inspections at every phase, and a finished result that matches or exceeds pre-loss condition.
After a fire: what to do and what to avoid.
- Call your insurance company to open a claim
- Secure the property against weather — board up if needed
- Document everything with photos before any cleanup
- Save all receipts for temporary housing and emergency expenses
- Get a written scope from a contractor before signing anything
- Don’t enter a structurally compromised building without clearance
- Don’t discard damaged contents before they’re documented by the adjuster
- Don’t start repairs before the claim is filed and documented
- Don’t sign a direction to pay with a contractor you haven’t vetted
- Don’t let reconstruction begin before remediation is complete
Common questions about fire damage restoration.
Do you work directly with insurance adjusters?
Yes. We provide detailed written scope and line-item estimates in the format insurers require — typically Xactimate-compatible formatting. We can meet your adjuster on site during the damage assessment, document damage with photographs and a Matterport 3D scan, and supplement the claim if the initial settlement doesn’t cover the full scope of work. We’ve worked with State Farm, Travelers, Allstate, and most major carriers serving the Albany area.
How long does fire damage restoration take?
Timeline depends heavily on the extent of damage. A kitchen fire with limited structural involvement might take 6–10 weeks from board-up to final inspection. A fire that affects multiple rooms, compromises roof framing, or requires structural engineering typically runs 16–28 weeks through full reconstruction. We provide a detailed week-by-week schedule before work begins, and update you if scope changes during demolition.
Can smoke and soot damage be fully eliminated?
In most cases, yes. Smoke damage to drywall and wood framing is addressed with HEPA vacuuming, dry chemical sponges, and odor-sealing primers specifically formulated for smoke residue. Porous materials — insulation, soft goods, some cabinetry — that can’t be cleaned are removed and replaced. HVAC ductwork is cleaned by a certified duct cleaning contractor before the system is operated again. Heavily charred structural lumber is sistered or replaced.
Are permits required for fire damage repairs in Albany?
Yes. Any structural repair — framing, roofing, electrical, plumbing — requires a building permit in Albany and surrounding municipalities. Fire damage claims that involve structural work will require a permit for the rebuild. We pull all required permits, schedule inspections at each phase (rough framing, rough electrical, insulation, final), and provide the closed permit documentation your insurer needs to close the claim.
Capital Region homeowners after fire damage.
“Kitchen fire gutted our Latham house. CDG met with our State Farm adjuster, documented everything, and rebuilt the kitchen and two adjacent rooms. Back in the house in 14 weeks.”
“Electrical fire in our attic in Troy. CDG handled the insurance documentation, full structural inspection, and rebuilt the attic and two bedrooms below. Could not have navigated the claim without them.”
“Smoke damage throughout our Clifton Park home from a neighbor’s fire. CDG remediated the ductwork, replaced drywall in three rooms, and the smell is completely gone. Excellent work.”
Other work we do in Albany.
Free assessment for your fire damage claim.
We’ll walk the property, document damage, and provide a written scope of work — ready for your insurance adjuster. No obligation.
Line-item scope in insurance adjuster format
Matterport 3D scan of damage for the claim file
We meet your adjuster on site if needed
Or call directly: (518) 900-3199