Statewide Emergency Fire Damage Cleanup in Michigan, MI
The flames are out and the engines are gone, and you are left in the yard trying to work out the next move. One free call to Unify Fire Solutions connects you with a licensed and insured independent restoration contractor who works in your part of Michigan, MI. We answer around the clock, and dispatch starts while you are still on the phone.
- Free referral line answered 24/7, every day of the year
- Independent local crews serving every corner of Michigan, MI
- A written, line-item estimate before work starts
- Help lining up paperwork your insurance adjuster will ask for
A statewide referral line for the hours after a fire
Unify Fire Solutions does not do restoration work. We run the dispatch desk that gets a qualified independent contractor headed your way.
Most people only deal with fire damage once in their lives, so nobody knows the order of operations. Who do you call first, the insurance company or a contractor? Can you go back inside? Who turns the power back on? Our dispatchers field these questions every day, from every part of Michigan, MI, and we can usually point you in the right direction in a few minutes.
Calling +1-833-336-1630 puts you through to a live dispatcher who asks a handful of questions: what kind of property it is, whether firefighters have released the scene, whether hose water is still standing, and whether the roof or windows are open. Your answers tell us which independent crew in our network fits the job and how quickly the first visit needs to happen.
Every contractor we refer is a licensed and insured independent business that works locally. They own their equipment, employ their own crews, write their own estimates and answer for their own work. We handle the connection, so at 2 a.m. you are talking with a qualified local pro instead of scrolling through search results on your phone in the dark.
The line is free to call, and it stays open 24/7, weekends and holidays included. From a single-family home to a rented duplex, a condo unit or a storefront, the routing works the same way anywhere in Michigan, MI.
It helps to have a few details ready: the property address, your insurer's name, a claim number if you have one, and the fire department's incident number. Don't worry if you have none of it yet. Lots of callers reach us from a neighbor's porch with only a phone, and the dispatcher will help you work out what to collect next.
Fire Damage Cleanup services available across Michigan, MI
Fire damage is really three problems at once: the burned materials, the smoke residue that travels everywhere, and the water firefighters used to put it out. Below is how the independent contractors in our network handle each piece.
Emergency mitigation and stabilization
Mitigation is the work of keeping the damage from spreading, and with fire it is a race against time. Soot is acidic. In a matter of hours it yellows plastics and vinyl, and after a day or two it can etch glass, pit chrome and permanently stain grout. Wet drywall and insulation from the hose lines can begin growing mold in 24 to 48 hours.
The contractor who arrives typically begins with a safety walk and then secures the structure. That often means boarding broken windows and doors with plywood, tarping holes in the roof, and setting temporary fencing if the property sits close to a sidewalk. Next comes water: truck-mounted or portable extraction units pull standing water out of carpet and subfloors, and wet pad is usually cut out and bagged.
Once the structure is stable, crews set up air scrubbers with HEPA filtration to capture airborne soot, and they may place the work area under negative air pressure so particles don't drift into clean rooms. Dehumidifiers and air movers go in where moisture meters show wet framing or drywall.
- Boarding of windows, doors and openings in walls
- Roof tarping to keep rain off exposed framing
- Extraction of firefighting water and removal of wet materials
- HEPA air scrubbing plus moisture readings
Single-family homes and condo units
A house fire rarely stays in one room, even when the flames did. Smoke follows air pressure and temperature, which is why you find black rings around outlets in a bedroom at the far end of the hall, or soot lines on the carpet along the baseboards. A residential crew starts by mapping how far the residue traveled, room by room, before anything gets wiped.
Dry soot from a fast, hot fire is powdery, so crews lift it with dry chemical sponges and HEPA vacuums. Wet, smeary smoke from a slow, smoldering fire is oily and needs alkaline cleaners and a lot more labor. Kitchen fires leave protein residue, a nearly invisible film that smells terrible and turns surfaces sticky. Each type takes a different chemistry, and using the wrong one can drive the stain deeper into paint or wood.
Charred materials get removed down to sound framing. Framing that is only blackened, not structurally weakened, is often cleaned with soda or dry ice blasting and then sealed with a shellac-based or pigmented sealing primer to lock in odor before new drywall goes up. It is fair to ask the crew which studs will stay and which will go, and to have that written into the estimate.
- Residue mapping and spot tests before any cleaning
- Selective demolition of charred drywall, insulation and trim
- Framing cleaned by blasting, then sealed
Businesses, rentals and multi-unit buildings
With a business or a rental unit, the list of questions gets longer fast. A restaurant owner needs to know when the hood system can be inspected and the health inspector called back. A landlord needs to know which units are habitable and which tenants need temporary housing. A property manager with a fire in one unit of a fourplex has to stop smoke from moving through the shared attic and ducts.
Contractors who handle commercial work often phase the job so part of the space can keep operating. They build temporary poly containment walls with zip-door access, run negative air machines, and schedule the loudest demolition for nights or weekends. For a retail space, that might mean the sales floor reopens while the stockroom is still under containment.
Inventory is its own problem. Smoke-exposed food, medication, cosmetics and anything in permeable packaging usually has to be discarded and documented for the claim. Have the crew photograph and count every discarded item so the property claim and the business interruption claim match.
- Phased schedules so a portion of the business can reopen
- Containment walls between damaged and occupied units
- Inventory disposal lists for the claim file
Multi-unit buildings add a building code question. Fire-rated assemblies, such as the drywall between units or around a stairwell, have to be rebuilt to the same rating, and damaged fire alarm or sprinkler components need a licensed trade to restore them. Ask whether those items are in the estimate or will be handled by a separate contractor.
For landlords and property managers: request a brief written status for each unit, livable or not, that you can forward to tenants and your carrier that day.
Contents, odor, HVAC and firefighting water
The smell is what most people remember afterward. It gets into clothes, mattresses, the couch, the kids' stuffed animals, and the inside of every closed drawer. Contents crews pack out what can be saved, inventory each box, and clean it off site, using ultrasonic tanks for hard items and specialty laundering for fabric. Electronics often go to a separate vendor who can clean the circuit boards before soot corrodes them.
Deodorization comes after the cleaning, not as a substitute for it. Crews may use thermal fogging, which mimics the heat of the fire to carry deodorizer into the same pores the smoke reached, or hydroxyl generators that can run while people are present. Ozone works well but the building has to be empty of people, pets and plants, so ask about it first.
An HVAC system that was running during the fire pushed smoke into every room on that system. A duct cleaning crew will inspect the air handler, coil and duct runs, clean or replace flex duct, and swap filters. Ask whether the contractor follows IICRC guidance, such as the S700 standard for fire and smoke and the S500 standard for the water side of the job.
- Pack-out, inventory and off-site contents cleaning
- Thermal fogging, hydroxyl or ozone deodorization
- Inspection and cleaning of ducts, coil and air handler
Firefighting water is the part people underestimate. An engine can put hundreds of gallons into a building in a few minutes, and it runs down into wall cavities, under cabinets and through ceilings to the floor below. Mixed with soot and ash, it is dirty water, so wet carpet, pad and insulation are usually removed rather than dried in place. Crews pull baseboards or drill small vent holes to dry wall cavities, and they log moisture readings until the framing is back to a normal dry level.
- Drying of wall cavities soaked by hose water
- Electronics cleaned by a specialty vendor
Standing in front of a burned house right now?
Call the free line and a dispatcher will walk you through the next hour and start finding an independent crew near you.
Call +1-833-336-1630What a referral through Unify Fire Solutions looks like
We can't promise what a fire will cost or how long the rebuild takes. Here is what we can tell you plainly.
Line-item estimates in writing
Before any work begins, the contractor should hand you a written estimate broken out line by line, so ask for it. Many crews in Michigan, MI build estimates in the same software adjusters use, so the two documents can be compared side by side.
Dispatch at any hour
The phone is answered 24/7 and dispatch starts the moment you call. Arrival time depends on which crews are free and how far away they are, and it is often the same day.
Independent crews working statewide
The network reaches cities, suburbs and rural communities throughout Michigan, MI. You are matched with a crew that works near you and knows how the local building office and utilities run.
Licensed, insured independent pros
We refer callers only to licensed and insured independent contractors. Even so, check the license and request a certificate of insurance before you sign, and ask if the crew works to IICRC S700 guidance.
Another contractor if the first isn't right
If the first contractor isn't the right fit, for any reason, call back and we'll connect you with another one. Sometimes the schedule doesn't work, sometimes you want a second estimate for the adjuster, and sometimes it is simply a personality mismatch. That's fine.
Getting two estimates is common on larger fire jobs, and many adjusters welcome it. Make sure both estimates cover the same scope, line for line, so the comparison is fair.
Your statewide fire recovery decision guide
No two fires are alike, yet the sequence of decisions is remarkably similar anywhere in Michigan, MI. Work through this list while a crew is on the way.
- 1
Safety first, then the call
Stay out until the fire department tells you it's safe to return. Then call +1-833-336-1630, answer a few questions about the scene, the water and any openings, and a dispatcher will start finding a crew.
- 2
Arrival and site security
The contractor walks the property with you, documents it in photos, and boards or tarps openings. Where water is pooled, extraction frequently begins on the very first visit.
- 3
Written scope and estimate
You receive a written estimate, line by line, with mitigation split out from rebuild work. You or the contractor share it with your adjuster, and nothing beyond emergency stabilization should start until you sign.
- 4
Cleaning, drying and deodorizing
The crew tears out burned materials, dries the building, cleans soot from each surface, and deals with the odor. Daily moisture logs and photos give the adjuster a clear record of progress.
- 5
Rebuild and final walkthrough
Permitted repair work comes next: framing, electrical, drywall, paint and floors. Before the final invoice, walk the property with the contractor and make a punch list of anything left undone.
The first hour, before any crew arrives: get everyone out and accounted for, including pets. Wait for the fire department to release the scene before going back in, and leave the breaker panel alone. Ask the firefighters for the incident number and write it down, because your insurer will need it. If you can safely do so from outside, take wide photos and video of every side of the building.
When the fire department releases the scene
The fire department controls the property until it formally releases the scene. If investigators are still working out the cause, you may be kept out for hours or, occasionally, a couple of days.
After the release, a building official from your city or county may post a placard. Green usually means occupancy is allowed, yellow means restricted entry, and red means no one enters until an engineer or official evaluates it. The placard system differs from one jurisdiction to the next in Michigan, MI, so read the notice and call the number on it.
A red tag doesn't stop mitigation from the outside. Crews can still board, tarp and fence, and many work with a structural engineer to get the red tag lifted.
Utility shutoffs after a fire
During the fire, crews often pull the electric meter and shut the gas. Once a utility has been shut off for a fire, the provider usually will not restore service until the system is inspected, and sometimes a licensed electrician or plumber must sign off first.
For that reason, restoration crews usually arrive with generators to power the scrubbers and dehumidifiers. Call your electric, gas and water providers yourself to report the fire and ask what they need to restore service.
If the water is still on and a pipe burst in the heat, find the main shutoff and close it. You'll usually find it near the meter or where the supply enters the building.
Working with your insurance adjuster
Report the loss to your insurer the same day and get a claim number. Nearly every policy expects you to prevent additional damage, and that is the purpose of emergency mitigation. You don't have to wait for the adjuster to approve boarding, tarping or drying, though you should keep every receipt.
Independent contractors across Michigan, MI usually produce two separate invoices: one for mitigation (board-up, extraction, drying, soot cleanup) and one for restoration (rebuilding). Adjusters review each differently, so keeping them apart avoids delays. Ask for dated photos, daily moisture logs, and a contents inventory, and request copies of everything sent to the insurer.
If the home isn't livable, many policies include additional living expenses (sometimes called loss of use) for temporary housing, meals and similar costs. Limits vary from policy to policy, so ask your agent what applies and keep all receipts.
Permits and local building departments
Cleaning and mitigation usually don't need a permit. Structural repairs, rewiring, new framing, a new roof and HVAC replacement nearly always require one. In Michigan, MI, local city and county building departments issue permits, which means forms, fees and inspection timing differ by location.
An experienced local contractor will know the nearby office and will typically pull the permit under their own license. Confirm the permit is posted and inspections are passed before anyone closes the walls. The insurer may want the final inspection sign-off before it releases the last check.
Older homes can raise extra questions once walls are open. If the building is old enough to contain asbestos in drywall texture, flooring or duct wrap, or lead in the paint, testing may be required before demolition. Repairs may also have to meet the current code rather than the code the house was built under, which some policies cover as ordinance or law coverage, so ask your agent.
Rentals: who handles what
With a rental property, the structure and the renter's belongings typically fall under different policies. The landlord's policy generally covers the structure and the owner's fixtures, while a renter's policy covers the tenant's furniture, clothing and relocation costs.
Owners should put access, timelines and habitability decisions in writing for tenants. Tenants should photograph their own belongings before the pack-out and get a copy of the contractor's contents inventory. Landlord and tenant obligations after a fire are set by Michigan, MI law and your lease, so check the lease and ask a local attorney or housing office if anything is unclear.
The landlord or the tenant can call us. In most cases the owner signs for the building work and the tenant handles the contents claim, and one crew can do both if everyone agrees.
Getting a small business back open
A shuttered business loses money every day, which makes fast mitigation even more important. Ask your commercial carrier about business interruption coverage and track lost income starting on day one.
Food service, salons, clinics and grocers usually need a health or fire inspection before they can reopen. Have the contractor write a phased schedule that shows what has to be done ahead of each inspection.
Back up the point-of-sale system, payroll records and customer files before anyone moves the computers. If you lease the space, notify the landlord right away, since the lease normally says who pays for which repairs.
Why the first 24 to 72 hours matter: soot keeps etching surfaces, wet materials start to grow mold, and odor soaks deeper into porous materials every day it sits. Starting mitigation quickly is usually the single biggest factor in how much of your home can be cleaned rather than replaced.
What callers across Michigan, MI told us afterward
Shared with permission. Names shortened for privacy.
Our dryer vent caught fire late at night, and when the firefighters finally cleared us I couldn't think at all. The dispatcher asked me five or six simple questions and told me to get the incident number before the engine left. The contractor was there the next morning, boarded the laundry room, and had extraction going before my adjuster even called back.
I own two rental duplexes and one tenant had a kitchen fire. The best part was that the contractor split the mitigation bill from the rebuild estimate. The adjuster signed off on the first invoice in a week, and the neighboring tenant stayed put because the crew sealed off the shared wall and attic.
We were renters, and the fire began in the apartment under ours. I didn't know my renter's policy would pay for a hotel until the dispatcher suggested I ask my agent. The crew packed out our clothes and the kids' things and gave me a typed inventory, which made the claim a lot easier.
A grease fire shut down my restaurant on a Friday. The contractor set up plastic walls so we could get the dining room cleaned and inspected while they kept working on the kitchen. They wrote out exactly what needed finishing before the health inspection, and we passed on the first try.
The first contractor I talked to couldn't begin for close to a week. I called back, said that wouldn't work, and the dispatcher connected me with a different crew who started the next day. No pushback and no runaround, which was exactly what I needed.
Fire damage questions from Michigan, MI callers
How fast can a Fire Damage Cleanup technician arrive in Michigan, MI?
We begin dispatching as soon as you call, and someone answers at any hour. Arrival depends on which independent crews are free and how far they have to drive to reach your property. In most of Michigan, MI it is often the same day, and the dispatcher will tell you what to expect before you hang up.
Do you provide upfront pricing?
We don't set prices, since Unify Fire Solutions is a referral line and not the contractor. The independent contractor provides a written, line-item estimate before work starts, and you should ask for one before signing anything. Emergency board-up or water extraction may begin right away to prevent more damage, but ask the crew to explain those charges in writing too.
What emergency services are available?
Contractors in our network typically handle board-up, roof tarping, water extraction, structural drying, soot cleanup, HEPA air filtration and odor treatment. Many also offer contents pack-out and storage, HVAC and duct cleaning, and full rebuilding after the cleanup. Tell the dispatcher what you're seeing and we'll match you with a crew that does that work.
Do contractors in MI work directly with my insurance company?
Most independent crews in MI deal with adjusters every week. They build a file with photos, moisture logs and a line-item estimate, and with your OK they'll send it to the adjuster. Keep in mind the policy is between you and your insurer, so you make the final decisions and should keep copies of everything.
Do I need a permit for fire damage repairs in Michigan, MI?
Cleanup and drying generally don't need one, while structural, electrical, roof and HVAC work nearly always does. Permits in Michigan, MI are issued by your local city or county building department, and requirements vary by location. A local contractor will usually pull the permit and schedule inspections for you.
Can I stay in my house after a fire?
It depends on the fire department's release, any building placard, and whether utilities can be safely turned back on. Even with a small fire, smoke residue and odor can make sleeping in the home unhealthy, especially for kids, older adults and anyone with asthma. Check with your insurer about additional living expense coverage for a hotel or rental.
Should I call my insurance company or a contractor first?
Do both the same day, in whichever order you can. Your policy almost certainly requires you to prevent further damage, so you don't have to wait for the adjuster before boarding up or removing water. Write down the claim number, save all receipts, and pass the number to the contractor so their documents line up.
What should I throw away after a fire?
Throw out food, medicine and cosmetics that were exposed to heat, smoke or firefighting water. Before you toss anything else, photograph it and list it for the claim; the contractor can help decide what is salvageable. Clothing, dishware and solid furniture that look ruined can often be cleaned.
Is it safe to clean up soot myself?
Scrubbing soot with a damp cloth tends to grind it into paint and fabric, and the residue can carry acids and fine particles that are bad to inhale. If you go inside to grab essentials, wear an N95 mask and gloves and don't run fans or the HVAC. Leave the cleaning to the crew, who will test the residue and choose the right chemistry.
Does Unify Fire Solutions serve every part of Michigan, MI?
Our network reaches cities, suburbs and rural communities throughout Michigan, MI. In remote areas the nearest crew may be farther away, so the dispatcher will be upfront about expected timing. Call +1-833-336-1630 with the property address and we'll let you know who can reach it.
Statewide Fire Damage Cleanup coverage in Michigan, MI
One phone number reaches independent crews anywhere in Michigan, MI, from dense metro neighborhoods to farmhouses at the end of a gravel road.
Around the larger metros, several contractors are often within reach, which lets the dispatcher match on a specialty like commercial kitchens or condo towers. Suburban crews see plenty of attached garage fires, dryer vent fires and kitchen fires in single-family houses. In rural parts of Michigan, MI, the nearest crew may travel farther, and they often arrive with generators and trailers because utility restoration can take longer.
- Single-family homes
- Condos and townhouses
- Apartment buildings
- Rental duplexes
- Mobile and manufactured homes
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Offices
- Warehouses
- Churches and schools
- Detached garages
- Barns and outbuildings
Common causes we hear about include kitchen fires, dryer vents, space heaters, electrical faults, candles, lightning strikes, grills, garage fires, furnace puff-backs and fire spreading from a neighbor's property. No matter how it started, the first call is the same.
You can call even if you live elsewhere and the fire is at a rental you own or a relative's house. The dispatcher can coordinate with a neighbor, a tenant or a property manager on site, and the contractor can send photos and the written estimate to you by email before anything beyond emergency stabilization begins.
