What to Do After a House Fire: The Insurance Reinstatement Process Explained

A house fire is one of the most distressing things a family can go through, and the days that follow can feel overwhelming. Knowing what happens next, and in what order, takes some of the stress out of it. This guide walks through the fire reinstatement process from the first hours to handover, and explains where a managed repair contractor like Kingsleigh Homes fits in.

The first 24 to 48 hours

Once the fire service has made the property safe and signed it off, your priority is people, not possessions. If your home is uninhabitable, your buildings insurance almost always covers alternative accommodation, so contact your insurer as soon as you can to arrange it. Keep receipts for anything you have to buy in the meantime.

Do not re-enter a fire-damaged building until you have been told it is structurally safe. Smoke residue, weakened timbers and standing water from firefighting all carry real risks.

Making the property safe and secure

Before any repairs begin, the property needs to be made safe and weathertight: boarding up, temporary roofing, propping where needed and isolating utilities. This "make safe" stage protects the building from further damage and prevents a claim getting worse while everything else is arranged.

Starting your insurance claim

Your insurer will usually appoint a loss adjuster to assess the damage and agree the scope of works. This is where clear, itemised documentation matters. A reinstatement contractor prepares a detailed schedule of works so the loss adjuster, the insurer and you are all looking at the same plan, with no surprises later.

How reinstatement works

Fire reinstatement is rarely just redecoration. Smoke and water travel far beyond the room where the fire started, so the work typically runs in stages: strip-out of damaged materials, specialist cleaning and odour treatment, structural drying, then the rebuild itself, replastering, electrics, joinery, decorating and flooring, through to a final clean and sign-off.

Managing those trades in the right order, to the right standard, is the difference between a home that is genuinely restored and one that still smells of smoke six months later.

Choosing who carries out the repairs

You do not have to accept the first contractor offered to you. As the policyholder you have the right to choose your own builder, something we cover in detail in our guide on whether you have to use your insurer's recommended builder. What matters is appointing one accountable team that works well with your insurer and restores your home properly.