Contractors specializing in fire damage repair should be experienced in a number of different construction and cleaning disciplines. The damage caused by a fire can be extensive and can require a specialized hand to remedy. Your contractor should have a background in building wall frames, in drywall, in painting, in carpet installation, and in cleaning. These are all necessary services when repairing damage from a fire.

Contact previous clients of the contractor for reviews on his or her performance. You can ask about how profession the contractor is, how experienced the contractor is, and whether the client was happy with the final results. This can help give you an understanding of how a contractor works before you ever have to pay any money.

You should always get an estimate before you let the contractor get to work. The contractor will have to go through your home and see the extent of the damage. After a quick assessment, the contractor will be able to give you a reasonably accurate estimate of what the job will cost you.

You should be willing to pay a deposit of 25 per cent of the total estimated costs before the contractor starts working. You should not be expected to pay more than 25 per cent as a deposit.