Smoke damage cleanup: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What smoke damage cleanup is

Smoke damage cleanup removes soot residue and smoke odor from walls, ceilings, contents and HVAC systems. The crew uses specialized cleaners, air scrubbers and deodorizing treatments after a fire or a smoky event. Smoke can travel far from the source, so the cleanup often reaches rooms that did not burn.

Signs you need it

  • A nearby fire, a kitchen fire or a cooking accident left a smoke smell in rooms that did not burn
  • You see a yellow or gray film on walls, ceilings, light fixtures or window frames after a smoky event
  • Smoke odor returns when the heat or air conditioner turns on, which means the ductwork has residue
  • Your clothes, furniture, curtains or bedding smell of smoke, even after washing or airing
  • A wildfire, a neighbor's fire or a wood stove event has left a lingering odor and visible residue inside the home

What the pro does

  • The crew assesses the type of smoke, such as wood, plastic or wet smoke, which changes how it cleans and how it smells
  • They test the surfaces to choose the cleaning method, and protect the floors, the furniture and the contents
  • They clean the soot from walls, ceilings, trim and cabinets using the cleaners that suit each surface
  • They run air scrubbers and deodorizing treatments through the home, and treat the wall cavities where the smoke has gone
  • They clean or replace the HVAC filters and the ductwork, and inspect the coils and the blower for residue
  • They clean the contents, such as textiles, electronics and hard goods, and check the odor after each treatment

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Area affected by the smoke, including rooms that did not burn but were exposed
  • Type of smoke and the level of residue, which changes the cleaning method
  • Number of contents to be cleaned, such as textiles, electronics, furniture and fine art
  • HVAC and duct cleaning needed, including the coils, the blower and the return and supply ducts
  • Deodorizing methods, air scrubbers and the number of treatments needed
  • Wall cavity treatment and the access needed to clean behind finishes
  • Repainting or resurfacing needed after cleaning

What a written quote should spell out

  • Rooms affected and the smoke type identified
  • Surfaces to be cleaned, with the cleaning method for each
  • Contents to be cleaned, with the items listed and the method for each
  • HVAC and duct cleaning included, with the filter replacement and the coils listed
  • Air scrubbing and deodorizing treatments, with the number of treatments
  • Repainting, resurfacing or replacement listed separately

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What type of smoke is this, and how does that change the cleaning method?
  • Will you clean the HVAC system and the ductwork, and what does that involve?
  • How will you treat the wall cavities, and will you open any walls?
  • Which contents can be cleaned, and which will you recommend replacing?
  • How do you measure the odor level before and after the treatment?
  • Will you re-test the odor after the work, and is that included?
  • Do you hold a cleaning or restoration certification, and what do you do to protect an occupied home during the work?

Red flags

  • They use a fogger or an ozone generator as the main treatment without cleaning the surfaces
  • They say the odor will go away on its own after a few weeks
  • They do not clean the HVAC system and the ductwork when the smoke reached them
  • They will not test the surfaces or explain their cleaning method

What you can do yourself

You can open windows for ventilation when the weather is safe, wash washable textiles after testing a small hidden spot first, and take the air filters out for disposal. Do not use strong cleaners or mix them, and do not run the HVAC system until the filters and the ductwork have been checked. Call a licensed smoke restoration contractor for soot on the walls, the ceilings and the HVAC, because these need the right method to avoid spreading residue.

Licenses and permits

Smoke damage cleanup is commonly done by licensed or registered restoration contractors, and HVAC cleaning may need a licensed HVAC technician. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department for the rules on restoration work and any permit for the repairs.

Smoke damage cleanup questions

Can I just paint over smoke stains?

Not reliably. Smoke residue can bleed through paint, and the odor can stay in the wall. Ask the crew to clean the surface first and to seal it with a primer that blocks residue before the finish paint goes on.

Why does the smoke smell come back?

Usually the residue is still in the wall cavities, the insulation or the ductwork. Ask whether the HVAC was cleaned and whether the cavities were treated, not only the surfaces you can see.

Can my clothes and furniture be saved?

Many items can be cleaned, but heavy smoke can leave odor in porous materials and textiles. Ask the crew to test a sample and tell you which items they recommend cleaning and which they recommend replacing.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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