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After a fire, the clock is running. We secure your home, clear the soot and smoke, kill the odor, and rebuild what's damaged, guiding you the whole way with 35+ years of Chicago experience.
A fire turns your world upside down in minutes. Even after the flames are out, you're left with soot on every surface, a smell that won't quit, and water damage from putting the fire out. It's a lot, and you shouldn't have to figure it out alone.
We've helped Chicago families through this for over 35 years. The first thing we do is secure your home, then we get to work removing the damage layer by layer. Soot is acidic, so the longer it sits, the more it eats into walls, floors, and belongings. Fast action saves far more of your home.
Whether it was a small kitchen fire or something that spread through the house, we handle the whole job, cleanup, smoke odor, drying, and repairs, and we document everything so your insurance claim goes smoothly.
Fire leaves damage far beyond the flames. Here's everything we clean up and repair.
Acidic soot coats walls, floors, and ceilings and keeps damaging surfaces. We remove it fast with the right methods for each surface.
That smoky smell sinks deep into walls, fabrics, and vents. We neutralize it at the source, not just mask it with fragrance.
Charred framing, weakened walls, and damaged ceilings need stabilizing and repair. We assess safety first, then rebuild.
Putting a fire out leaves water behind. We extract it and handle the water damage to stop rot and mold from setting in.
Furniture, clothing, and keepsakes hit by smoke and soot. We clean and restore what we can, and document what's lost.
Smoke and soot particles linger in the air long after a fire. Air scrubbers clean the air so it's safe to breathe again.
A clear, proven order of work that takes your home from fire-damaged back to safe and livable.
We arrive fast, secure the property with board-up and tarping, and remove hazards so no further damage or weather gets in.
We inspect the full extent of fire, smoke, and water damage and document it with photos and reports for your insurance claim.
Using the right method for each surface, dry or wet cleaning, we remove soot and smoke residue from walls, floors, and contents.
We remove water left from firefighting, then dry the structure with air movers and dehumidifiers to prevent mold.
Air scrubbers, thermal fogging, and specialized deodorizing equipment neutralize the smoke smell for good, not just cover it.
We handle repairs and reconstruction, from drywall to full rebuilds, keeping you updated until your home is back to normal.
Not all smoke damage is the same. The type decides how it's cleaned, and why the right method matters so much.
| Type | What It Is | Where It Comes From | How We Clean It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Smoke | Powdery, dry residue | Fast, high-temperature fires (paper, wood) | Dry cleaning, vacuuming, wiping |
| Wet Smoke | Sticky, smeary, strong odor | Slow, low-heat fires (plastics, rubber) | Wet cleaning, specialized solvents |
| Protein Residue | Nearly invisible, heavy smell | Kitchen and cooking fires | Deep cleaning + heavy deodorizing |
| Fuel / Oil Soot | Thick, dark, greasy film | Furnace puff-backs, oil fires | Special cleaners, careful removal |
Using the wrong cleaning method can smear soot deeper and set the stain permanently. That's why fire and smoke damage isn't a job for regular cleaning, it takes the right approach for each type.
Most home fires start small and spread fast. Knowing the common causes helps, and whatever the source, we're here to help you recover:
What Chicago homeowners most want to know after a fire.
Fire damage restoration is the process of cleaning up and repairing a property after a fire, including board-up, soot and smoke removal, odor control, water drying from firefighting, content cleaning, and rebuilding damaged areas so the home is safe and livable again. It addresses damage far beyond the flames themselves.
Soot is acidic. The longer it sits, the more it eats into walls, metal, and belongings, turning damage that could be cleaned into damage that must be replaced. Fast, professional soot removal saves more of your home and lowers the total cost. That's why we treat fire calls as an emergency, day or night.
Yes, with the right process. Smoke odor hides in walls, fabrics, and ducts, so air freshener never works. We remove it at the source by cleaning residue, treating surfaces, and running air scrubbers and deodorizing equipment. In tough cases we use thermal fogging or ozone treatment to fully neutralize the smell.
We cover Chicago and the suburbs, including Rogers Park, West Ridge, Edgewater, Uptown, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Lincoln Square, Albany Park, Skokie, Evanston, and Oak Park. Chicago's older homes, space heaters, and winter fires keep us busy, and our crews respond fast to secure and restore your property.
Most companies won't put numbers on paper. Here's a real range so you know what to expect before you call.
| Extent of Damage | Typical Cost Range | What's Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Light smoke & soot | $3,000 – $6,000 | Cleaning, deodorizing, one to two rooms |
| Moderate damage | $6,000 – $15,000 | Soot removal, drying, some repairs |
| Major fire damage | $15,000 – $25,000+ | Demolition, rebuild, full restoration |
| Content cleaning | Varies | Cleaning, pack-out, and storage |
Every fire is different. We give a free on-site inspection and a written estimate, and since fire damage is almost always covered, we work directly with your insurance.
The good news: fire is one of the most widely covered claims. Here's what that usually includes.
Fire claims can feel overwhelming on top of everything else. We take that weight off you, documenting all the damage with photos and detailed reports, and working directly with your adjuster so you get what you're owed.
📞 Talk to Us About Your ClaimYou have options for fire damage restoration. Here's what sets us apart from the big national names.
Family-owned and rooted in Chicago. Real people who've helped families through fires, not a call center.
Fires don't wait for morning. Call any time and a crew heads your way to secure your home.
We handle the documentation and work directly with your adjuster, so the claim is far less stress for you.
142 real reviews from Chicago homeowners who trusted us to bring their homes back after disaster.
Rated 4.7 stars across 142 Google reviews.
"After a kitchen fire, I didn't know where to start. The CleanUP Guys showed up fast, boarded up the house, and walked me through the whole process. Truly a relief."
"They got the smoke smell out completely, which I honestly didn't think was possible. Professional crew, fair pricing, and they handled all the insurance paperwork for us."
"Honest, reliable, and clearly experienced. Sherm and his team treated our home like their own and brought it back better than we hoped. Highly recommend."
Fast response throughout Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs.
The things Chicago homeowners ask us most after a fire.
Fire damage restoration in Chicago typically runs $3,000 to $25,000 or more. Light smoke and soot cleanup in one or two rooms sits at the low end. Major structural fires that need demolition and rebuilding cost more. The final price depends on the size of the fire, smoke spread, and how much reconstruction is needed. We give a written estimate after inspection.
It depends on the damage. Board-up and cleanup can start the same day. Soot removal, odor control, and drying usually take several days to a couple of weeks. If reconstruction is needed, the full project can run several weeks or longer. We give you a clear timeline and keep you updated at every stage.
In most cases, yes. Unless the structure is severely burned, most homes can be restored. The key is acting fast, soot is acidic and keeps damaging surfaces the longer it sits, and water from firefighting can lead to mold. Quick cleanup, drying, and odor removal save far more of the home and belongings.
Yes. Standard homeowners insurance almost always covers fire and smoke damage, including cleanup, repairs, and often temporary living costs. Water damage from firefighting is usually covered too. We document everything with photos and detailed reports and work directly with your adjuster to make the claim easier.
Smoke smell hides deep in walls, fabrics, ducts, and porous surfaces, so air freshener never works. We remove it at the source: cleaning soot residue, treating surfaces, and running air scrubbers and specialized deodorizing equipment. In tougher cases we use thermal fogging or ozone treatment to fully neutralize the odor.
Usually not right away. Even after a small fire, soot and smoke residue can be harmful to breathe, and structures may be unstable. Water from firefighting can also create hazards. It's best to wait until the property has been assessed, cleaned, and cleared. We check the space and let you know when it's safe.
We answer 24/7 and respond fast across Chicago. Free on-site inspection, a written estimate, and full insurance help.
After a fire, every hour counts, soot keeps damaging your home the longer it sits. Call now and our crew will be on the way, backed by 35+ years of Chicago fire restoration.
📞 Call (773) 885-8528 Now