Finding a quality contractor to work on your home can be challenging, but after a natural disaster, it’s even more complicated. With more homeowners needing urgent repair work, contractors are quickly overloaded with requests and opportunities for less-than-honest dealings abound. Read more

Filing a homeowners insurance claim can be a daunting task. To get you through the process with minimal stress, we’ve provided the following step-by-step guide. Read more

Following a disaster such as an earthquake or a wildfire, people are anxious to get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible. For many, this includes cleaning up, repairing and rebuilding their homes. Unfortunately, there are many bad actors out there ready and willing to take advantage of overwhelmed disaster victims. Read more

It’s well-known that wildfires cause substantial air pollution. However, even after the air has cleared, the smell of smoke can linger in homes within the fire’s immediate and surrounding vicinities. The odor is not only unpleasant, it’s unhealthy for your respiratory system and notoriously difficult to remove.

In this piece, we’ll explain methods for removing smoke odors from your home and belongings. You can get started with some DIY tasks, but for certain jobs, you may need to bring in a professional. Read more

One of a wildfire’s greatest threats is its harmful impact on air quality. Even after the flames have been extinguished, air quality in the immediate and surrounding areas can remain unhealthy for some time. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and your home from fire-related air pollution. Read more

Assessing fire damage can be an overwhelming experience for homeowners, even for those whose homes came through a wildfire event relatively unscathed. Use this list to make sure you’re addressing all possible areas of fire damage in your home.

Before You Start

Photos: Make sure you have a camera or smartphone on hand when you return home. Before you settle in, take photos of all areas inside and outside that were affected by the wildfires, even if the damages seem minor. Photos will be essential later when filing claims with your insurance company or in any legal disputes that arise.

Exterior Areas

Roof: Inspect your roof to see if there’s any damage from heat or embers. Read more

When a major leak, flooding or similar water-related emergency occurs in your home, knowing how to respond can make all the difference in preventing (or at least minimizing) subsequent water damage. Follow this 5-step response procedure: Read more