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How Much Does Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Cost in West Palm Beach?

Fire and smoke damage restoration in West Palm Beach typically costs between $3,200 and $8,500 for a minor to moderate kitchen or room fire, while whole-home fires with structural damage commonly run $25,000 to $60,000 or more. Smoke-only remediation, where there’s no structural burn damage, usually lands between $1,800 and $5,000 depending on square footage and how far soot traveled through the HVAC system. These are 2026 West Palm Beach market rates, and they include the labor, equipment, and materials a restoration crew uses to get a home back to pre-loss condition.

Every fire is different, which is why Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach puts the price in writing before any work begins. You’ll know the full scope of loss, the line-item costs, and what your insurance claim documentation will include before we touch a single surface.

Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Cost Breakdown (2026)

Here’s what homeowners in West Palm Beach neighborhoods like Flamingo Park, El Cid, and Riverwalk can expect to pay for the most common fire and smoke restoration line items in 2026. These numbers come from our own completed job records across Palm Beach County and reflect local labor rates and material costs.

Restoration Line Item	Typical Cost Range (2026)	What It Covers
Emergency board-up and tarping	$400 – $1,200	Securing windows, doors, and roof openings the same day to prevent weather damage and unauthorized entry.
Soot and smoke residue cleaning (per room)	$350 – $900	Dry-sponge and HEPA-vacuum removal of soot from walls, ceilings, trim, and surfaces.
Full-content cleaning and pack-out	$1,500 – $6,000	Inventory, cleaning, deodorization, and storage of furniture, clothing, and personal items removed from affected areas.
Thermal fogging or ozone deodorization	$500 – $1,800	Whole-room odor neutralization for smoke smell that has penetrated walls, insulation, and ductwork.
Duct and HVAC cleaning after smoke exposure	$600 – $2,500	Removing soot and smoke particulates from supply and return ducts to prevent recirculation.
Drywall removal and replacement	$3.50 – $6.00 per sq. ft.	Cutting out charred or smoke-damaged drywall and installing, taping, and finishing new board. Prices run higher in older West Palm Beach homes where walls contain lead paint or asbestos-era materials that require abatement.
Interior repainting (walls and ceilings)	$2,500 – $7,500	Sealing smoke-stained surfaces with a shellac or oil-based primer and repainting to match existing colors.
Flooring repair or replacement	$1,500 – $12,000	Refinishing scorched hardwood, replacing burned carpet or tile, or full-room flooring replacement if water from fire suppression warped the subfloor.
Structural framing repair	$5,000 – $30,000+	Sistering or replacing charred joists, studs, and rafters. Requires a structural engineer’s assessment in many West Palm Beach properties built before the 2002 Florida Building Code.
Full-service fire restoration (kitchen fire, one room)	$3,200 – $8,500	Complete scope: demolition of damaged materials, soot cleaning, deodorization, and rebuild of the affected room.

The single biggest factor in where your job lands in these ranges is whether the fire touched structural framing. A stovetop grease fire that puts soot through the kitchen and adjacent living room can often be remediated without touching the frame. A fire that burned through ceiling drywall and into the joists above is a different job entirely: more demolition, more engineering review, more rebuild time.

West Palm Beach’s humidity also plays a measurable role in pricing. After a fire, the water used to suppress it saturates drywall, insulation, and subfloor. In our climate, that water doesn’t evaporate quickly on its own. The same psychrometrics that apply to water damage restoration apply here: crews have to run Dri-Eaz, Phoenix, and XPOWER drying equipment longer, and they have to treat for microbial growth that starts within 48 to 72 hours in Florida’s moisture-rich air. That adds drying equipment days to the scope of loss, and it’s a cost the insurance adjuster needs to see documented correctly.

What Affects Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Pricing in West Palm Beach

• Square footage of the affected area. A contained kitchen fire in a 1,200 sq. ft. condo near Clematis Street costs far less to remediate than smoke that traveled through a 3,500 sq. ft. house in the Canyons. Smoke doesn’t respect room boundaries; it moves through HVAC ducts and electrical chases.
• Type of fire and what burned. Grease fires produce a dense, sticky soot that clings to every surface and costs more to clean than dry paper or wood soot. Synthetic materials, common in modern furniture and carpet, burn hotter and create more corrosive residues. Electrical fires often require additional wiring inspection and replacement, which adds a licensed electrician’s line item to the scope.
• Age of the home. Many homes in historic districts like Grandview Heights and Northwood were built before modern fire codes and contain plaster walls, knob-and-tube wiring remnants, or asbestos-era materials. Demolition on these homes is slower, and abatement requirements add cost that a newer home in a western subdivision won’t carry.
• Water damage from fire suppression. The water from a fire department’s hoses or a home sprinkler system is often more destructive in West Palm Beach than the fire itself in the hours after the event. If water sat for more than a day before restoration begins, expect drying, mold remediation, and possible subfloor replacement to appear on the estimate.
• Whether structural framing is compromised. Charred joists and studs can’t be cleaned; they get cut out and replaced. This triggers an engineer’s stamped plan in many West Palm Beach jurisdictions, a permit, and a required inspection. It’s the largest single cost driver we see.
• Insurance coverage specifics. Your policy’s coverage limits, deductible, and any rider for code upgrades (law and ordinance coverage) will determine your out-of-pocket portion. West Palm Beach requires current Florida Building Code compliance on rebuilds, and older homes without that rider can face significant additional costs to bring wiring, plumbing, or structural connections up to code.

When we write a scope of loss for a fire job in West Palm Beach, we document every one of these factors with photographs, moisture readings, and material samples. The estimate isn’t a guess. It’s a line-by-line accounting formatted to support your insurance claim, built around the equipment and labor the job actually requires.

How to Save on Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration

The most expensive fire restoration jobs in West Palm Beach are the ones that get delayed. Every day that passes between the fire and the start of restoration is a day that smoke penetrates deeper into drywall, soot chemically bonds to painted surfaces, and moisture from suppression water feeds microbial growth in the subfloor. Calling a restoration company the same day you’re allowed back into the home is the single most effective way to keep the final cost down.

Beyond speed, there are a few practical moves a homeowner can make:

• File your claim before you sign a restoration contract. Your insurance company has a preferred claim timeline, and the adjuster needs to see the damage early. Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach documents everything, but the adjuster still needs to walk the property. Filing first prevents disagreements about prior condition later.
• Don’t attempt DIY soot cleaning before the adjuster arrives. Dry-sponging soot yourself can drive it further into porous surfaces, making professional cleaning more expensive. Worse, if you use a standard household vacuum, you’ll blow soot particles into the air and spread them through the house. Home vacuums without HEPA filtration are not built for this.
• Get the written estimate before any work starts. We put the price in writing before we touch anything. That’s The Garrison Standard, and it means you’ll never watch the number move at the door. A written scope also gives the insurance adjuster a clear document to compare against their own estimate, which speeds up the approval process.
• Ask about what’s salvageable. A restoration company that specializes in fire damage knows what can be cleaned, deodorized, and returned to service versus what actually needs to be replaced. That’s what separates a restoration contractor from a demolition crew. Professional content cleaning, done properly with ultrasonic equipment and ozone or thermal fogging, saves thousands over replacement.
• Confirm what the guarantee covers. Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach backs every fire and smoke repair with the 365-Day Done Right Promise: a written one-year guarantee. If a repair fails within that year, we return and make it right at no charge. That’s not a verbal promise; it’s in writing, on every job.

For a free estimate with no obligation and no pressure, call Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach at (728) 220-0713. A live person answers, day or night. We’ll walk the property, explain what we’re seeing in plain language, and hand you a written price before anything starts.

The Restoration Process: What You’re Paying For

Understanding the fire restoration process helps you read an estimate without confusion. Here’s the sequence our crews follow on fire jobs in West Palm Beach, from the first call to the final walkthrough.

Step 1: Emergency Contact and Scene Assessment

You call (728) 220-0713 and speak to a live person, not a phone tree. We dispatch a crew to the property, typically the same day. The lead technician assesses structural safety, identifies what burned, measures the affected square footage, and documents the scene with photographs and moisture readings.

Step 2: Board-Up and Property Security

If the fire compromised windows, doors, or the roof, we secure the openings with plywood and heavy-duty tarps. This is required to prevent weather, pests, and unauthorized entry. In West Palm Beach’s summer storm season, this step can’t wait.

Step 3: Written Scope of Loss and Estimate

Before any restoration work begins, we hand you a written scope of loss and a line-item estimate. The price is in writing, and it doesn’t move. This document forms the backbone of your insurance claim; it’s formatted to give the adjuster exactly what they need.

Step 4: Water Extraction and Drying

Fire suppression water is extracted using professional-grade equipment from Dri-Eaz and XPOWER. We set up air movers and dehumidifiers from Phoenix and B-Air to dry the structure to IICRC standards, using psychrometric readings to confirm drying goals are met, not guessed at.

Step 5: Soot and Smoke Removal

Technicians clean soot from all affected surfaces using dry sponges, HEPA-filtered vacuums, and chemical solutions appropriate to the specific surface and the type of soot present. This is meticulous work; hard surfaces get wet-cleaned, porous surfaces get treated for odor retention.

Step 6: Deodorization

Smoke odor is a gas plus particulates. We use thermal fogging or ozone treatment in sealed rooms to neutralize odor molecules that have penetrated drywall, insulation, and ductwork. This step often requires the HVAC system to be cleaned simultaneously so odor isn’t recirculated.

Step 7: Structural Repair and Rebuild

Damaged drywall, insulation, flooring, and framing get removed and replaced. Our technicians run every rebuild to The Garrison Standard: price in writing, background-checked uniformed crews, work done by the book, and a clean site at the end of every day.

Step 8: Final Inspection and Written Guarantee

After the work is complete, we walk the property with you, review the scope of loss against the completed work, and hand you the 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing. If anything fails within one year, we come back at no charge.

How Much Do Common Fire Scenarios Cost in West Palm Beach?

Homeowners ask us these specifics every week. Here are the real numbers from our job records in the West Palm Beach market.

Kitchen grease fire (contained, one room)

$3,200 to $8,500 is the typical range. This covers soot cleaning in the kitchen, deodorization of adjacent areas, drywall repair where flames or heat damaged surfaces, repainting, and cleaning or replacing the damaged range hood and cabinetry faces. If the fire burned through the ceiling into the attic, expect to add structural work and run toward $12,000 to $18,000.

Smoke damage only (no flames)

$1,800 to $5,000 covers most smoke-only jobs in West Palm Beach condos and single-family homes. The range depends on square footage, how long smoke circulated, and whether the HVAC system needs cleaning. A 900 sq. ft. condo with moderate smoke from a neighboring unit typically lands between $2,000 and $3,500, including duct cleaning and thermal fogging.

Electrical fire in a wall or attic

$4,000 to $14,000. Electrical fires are unpredictable because the damage hides inside wall cavities and above ceilings. The scope includes locating and replacing damaged wiring, cutting out affected drywall, deodorizing the cavity, and rebuilding. The electrician’s portion is separate from the restoration line items and runs $1,500 to $4,000 on average.

Whole-home fire with structural damage

$25,000 to $60,000 or more, depending on total square footage and the extent of framing damage. These jobs involve engineered repair plans, permits, significant demolition, and a rebuild that can take 3 to 6 months in the West Palm Beach permitting cycle. Homes with premium finishes in communities along the Intracoastal run toward the top of this range and beyond.

These are not quotes. They’re the realistic bands we see after the scope of loss is written. Your job gets a specific number after we walk the property, and that number is in writing before we start.

Insurance and Fire Restoration Cost: What West Palm Beach Homeowners Should Know

Most West Palm Beach homeowners policies cover fire and smoke damage as a named peril. The standard Florida HO-3 policy includes fire, smoke, and the water damage caused by fire suppression, subject to your deductible and coverage limits. What catches people off guard is the gap between what the policy covers and what the adjuster approves.

This is where documentation determines your out-of-pocket cost. A restoration company that photographs everything, logs moisture readings, itemizes every line item, and formats the scope of loss to match the adjuster’s reporting structure saves you thousands. A restoration company that hands you a one-paragraph estimate and a verbal promise costs you thousands. We write every Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach job to support your insurance claim from the first inspection to the final invoice.

One more point that’s specific to our market: if your home was built before the current Florida Building Code, your rebuild may trigger code-upgrade requirements your policy doesn’t cover unless you carry law and ordinance coverage. That rider is common in newer policies but often missing from older ones. Ask your agent, and ask us during the estimate so we can flag any code-compliance items in the written scope before work begins.

Why Fire Restoration Costs More in West Palm Beach Than in Other Florida Markets

West Palm Beach carries a set of cost conditions that don’t apply in Orlando or Jacksonville. The city’s inventory of pre-1960s homes in historic districts like El Cid, Grandview Heights, and Northwood means our crews regularly encounter plaster, lath, and materials that require specialized demolition and abatement. Labor rates in Palm Beach County run higher than the state average, driven by the same market forces that make construction expensive throughout South Florida.

The climate matters too. High relative humidity means drying after a fire-suppression event takes longer, and longer drying means more equipment days. A job that dries in 3 days in a dry climate can require 5 to 7 days in West Palm Beach during summer, when indoor humidity won’t drop below 60% without active dehumidification. We run desiccant drying systems from Dri-Eaz when conditions demand it, and that’s a line item on the estimate that’s honest and necessary.

Permitting adds time and cost as well. The City of West Palm Beach Building Department requires permits for structural rebuilds, and the review cycle can add 2 to 6 weeks to a job depending on current volume. We factor that into the schedule and the estimate, and we’re upfront about it from the first conversation.

FAQs – Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Cost

How much does fire and smoke damage restoration cost per square foot in West Palm Beach?

Most fire restoration jobs in West Palm Beach run between $4 and $9 per square foot for the affected area when smoke and soot are the primary issues, and $15 to $35 per square foot when structural framing, electrical work, or extensive rebuild is required. A 1,000 sq. ft. kitchen and living room fire with moderate soot will typically fall between $4,000 and $9,000. Call (728) 220-0713 with your address and we’ll give you a written estimate tied to your specific square footage and damage.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace after a fire in West Palm Beach?

Repair is almost always cheaper than replacement when materials are structurally sound. A restoration company that cleans, deodorizes, and refinishes saves 30% to 60% compared to demolition and full replacement. The exception is when soot or char has penetrated framing or when water from suppression has saturated drywall beyond drying. We’ll tell you in writing which materials are salvageable and which need replacement, and we’ll show you the numbers on both sides before you decide.

How much does smoke odor removal cost in West Palm Beach?

Standalone smoke odor removal costs $500 to $1,800 for thermal fogging or ozone treatment on a single room, and $2,000 to $4,500 for whole-home deodorization including HVAC cleaning and duct treatment. Odor that has penetrated wall cavities or insulation requires demolition and replacement of those materials, which adds $1,500 to $6,000 depending on the affected area. Call (728) 220-0713 for a free estimate; we’ll explain which level of deodorization your situation actually requires.

Can you come out the same day for a fire assessment in West Palm Beach?

Yes. Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach dispatches crews the same day you call, including nights and weekends. A live person answers the phone at (728) 220-0713 at any hour. We’ll assess the damage, secure the property if needed, and hand you a written estimate before any restoration work starts. The faster restoration begins after a fire, the lower the final cost tends to be.

How much does kitchen fire restoration cost in West Palm Beach?

Kitchen fire restoration in West Palm Beach typically runs $3,200 to $8,500 for a contained fire, with the number climbing to $12,000 to $18,000 when the fire burned through the ceiling or into the attic. The range covers soot cleaning, deodorization, cabinet repair or replacement, drywall work, repainting, and replacement of damaged appliances if your policy includes them. The written estimate we hand you before work begins will show exactly which line items apply to your kitchen. For a free assessment, call (728) 220-0713.

Does homeowners insurance cover fire and smoke damage restoration in West Palm Beach?

Yes, standard Florida homeowners policies cover fire, smoke, and the water damage caused by fire suppression, subject to your deductible and policy limits. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coverage caps, and whether code-upgrade work triggers expenses outside your policy’s base coverage. Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach formats every scope of loss and invoice to support your claim, which reduces the chance of the adjuster contesting line items. Call (728) 220-0713 and we’ll walk you through what your specific policy language means for your estimate.

Get a Written Fire Restoration Estimate in West Palm Beach

Fire damage is not the place for a handshake deal. You need a contractor who will write down the scope, put a number on it, and stand behind the work in writing for a full year. That’s what Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach has done since becoming part of the Garrison Partners family in 2005, and it’s what we’ll do on your job.

We run every fire and smoke restoration project to The Garrison Standard: written price before work starts, background-checked uniformed technicians, professional-grade equipment from Dri-Eaz, Phoenix, XPOWER, B-Air, and Injectidry used to IICRC standards, and a clean site when the crew leaves. Every repair carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise. If it fails within one year, we come back and fix it at no charge.

Our Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration services in West Palm Beach page walks through the full process in detail. For more on our overall approach, visit our home page. When you’re ready for a number, call (728) 220-0713. A live person answers, any hour, any day. The estimate is free, it’s in writing, and it doesn’t move.

Written by Shane Pruitt, Owner at Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach, serving the West Palm Beach community since 2005.

Pricing reflects the West Palm Beach market as of 2026. Keegan Restoration West Palm Beach offers free estimates – call (728) 220-0713.