If you've never had to put a house back together after a fire, congratulations. It's not something we recommend. Take it from someone who has been there - who is still there.
In early March, an electrical fire in our home launched my wife, Dona, and me down an unfamiliar path. There were endless decisions: Where were we going to live for the next six to 10 months? Should we buy new socks or wait for our old ones to be de-smoked and returned to us? And so many questions: How does the cleanup-salvage-rebuilding operation work? What happened to Dona's cowboy boots?
Add the psychological trauma of seeing your home on fire, the physical demands involved in getting your life up and running again, and that burned-wood smell that follows you everywhere.
Yeah, it was not the best of times.
We were lucky in some respects. Our insurance agent and various adjusters were everywhere in the hours immediately after the fire. State Farm found an extended-stay hotel, one that took dogs and had a kitchen. They had us pick out "emergency" clothing - items that would be cleaned and returned in 48 hours (we would see the rest again in a month). They called in a restoration and cleaning service; they brought in people to board up windows and tarp the roof. An adjuster handed us a check to cover immediate living expenses. And the company offered to find us a rental property in the neighborhood. Those are all huge concerns two hours after a fire, things that pop into your head suddenly. We were fortunate that we didn't have to worry about them.
The issues
Here are some of the things that came up for us.
The immediate aftermath After you're allowed back into the house, secure your valuables. That's money, jewelry, important documents, passports. Grab what you need to keep functioning: address books, laptops, car keys, credit cards, checkbooks (and those boxes of new checks), the stuff hanging on your fridge, unpaid bills, favorite kitchen implements (don't laugh - I'm so glad I remembered the poultry shears), prescription drugs, whatever clothes you'd need for the next couple of days, pet bowls, collars and leashes. Food? Leave it all.
Cleanup Before the cleanup starts, do a walk-through. Do several. Get a full appreciation of the damage to the building and contents. Take photos or video. Make notes. Be on hand when the crew arrives. They'll have questions.
So many people Early on, investigators, insurance people, contractors all have things they need to talk to you about. But your mind will be focused on a photo that had been on top of the piano and is now gone, and - this is no exaggeration - 30 seconds later you will have forgotten everything the insurance person just told you. Here's a tip: Anyone you talk to, ask for a card. Ask for two, in fact.
You'll also hear from people who want your rebuilding work or who offer to help you squeeze more money out of your insurance company. Be careful.
Replacing your stuff You'll sleep better if you have a full replacement policy. It's not that much more than policies that don't provide as thorough coverage. Check with your agent and upgrade if you have to, though most homeowners already have it.
