IICRC-Certified. Calm, Expert Guidance. Calgary's trusted fire damage restoration team, with you from the first call to the final nail.
Call Red Dot Restoration after a fire. We'll assess the damage honestly, explain exactly what comes next, and take it from there so you don't have to figure it out alone.
A house fire is one of the most disorienting things a Calgary homeowner can go through. In the hours after, it's hard to know where to start: what's salvageable, who to call, what your insurance covers, or whether it's safe to go back inside. Fire damage restoration in Calgary is more complex than most people expect, because a fire creates three problems at once.
There's the damage from the flames themselves, smoke and soot damage that spreads far beyond the burn zone, and water damage from firefighting efforts that needs to be addressed immediately.At Red Dot Restoration, we understand that what you need right now isn't a sales pitch. It's a steady, experienced team that can walk you through this clearly. Our IICRC-certified technicians respond 24/7, secure your property, assess all three damage types, and work directly with your insurance adjuster from day one. We'll tell you honestly what can be saved, what needs to go, and what the path forward looks like.
We respond 24/7 and arrive ready to stabilize your property immediately. If the fire has compromised your roof, walls, or windows, we board up and tarp all openings to protect your home from weather, animals, and unauthorized entry while the restoration process begins. This step is critical because an unsecured, fire-damaged home deteriorates rapidly and can lead to complications with insurance.
Our certified technicians conduct a thorough inspection of all fire, smoke, soot, and water damage, including areas that aren't immediately visible, such as wall cavities, attic spaces, and HVAC ductwork. Every finding is photographed, documented, and compiled into a detailed report in Xactimate format, ready for your insurance adjuster.
Firefighting efforts leave behind significant water that must be extracted and dried immediately to prevent secondary damage and mould growth. We deploy industrial extraction equipment and commercial-grade drying systems, monitoring moisture levels daily until your structure meets drying standards
Soot begins corroding surfaces within hours of a fire. We use professional-grade cleaning agents and techniques specific to the type of soot present, because wet smoke, dry smoke, and protein residue each require a different approach. All affected surfaces, including walls, ceilings, framing, fixtures, and contents, are cleaned methodically and thoroughly.
Smoke odour doesn't disappear with cleaning alone. It penetrates porous materials and can linger for months if not treated properly. We use thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators, and ozone treatment where appropriate to neutralize odour molecules at the source, not just mask them at the surface.
Furniture, clothing, personal belongings, and household items affected by smoke, soot, or water are carefully inventoried and assessed. Where salvageable, items are cleaned and restored. Those requiring specialist treatment are packed out to our facility for cleaning and safe storage until your home is ready. Belongings that cannot be restored are documented for your insurance claim.
Once your home is clean, dry, and cleared, our in-house rebuild team restores it to pre-loss condition. From replacing drywall and insulation to repainting, flooring, cabinetry, and full structural reconstruction, we handle every phase in-house. You don't get handed off to a second contractor. We see your home from the day of the fire to the day you walk back in.
Fire and smoke damage situations in Calgary homes don't always look the same. Here are the situations we most commonly help homeowners with:
Kitchen fires are the most common type of residential fire we see in Calgary. Unattended cooking, grease fires, and faulty appliances are frequent causes. Even a contained kitchen fire produces smoke and soot that travels quickly through ventilation systems and spreads to rooms well beyond the kitchen. Don't assume the damage ends where the flames did. We assess the full extent, including hidden smoke penetration and restore your kitchen and home completely.
Calgary winters push heating systems hard. Space heater fires, furnace malfunctions, chimney fires, and electrical failures tied to heating equipment are all situations we respond to regularly, particularly between November and March. These fires often start in less-visible areas like utility rooms, attics, and wall cavities, and can cause significant structural damage before they're even detected.
Not every fire call involves major structural damage. Sometimes it's a contained fire caught early, a neighbouring suite fire, or a smoke event from a malfunctioning appliance, but the smoke and soot damage throughout the home is extensive and requires professional treatment. If your home smells of smoke or has visible soot deposits, the damage is real and needs to be properly addressed to prevent ongoing corrosion and lingering odour.
Smoke odour that persists after a fire, or even after a previous restoration attempt, is one of the most common calls we receive. Smoke molecules embed themselves in drywall, insulation, flooring, soft furnishings, and HVAC systems. Surface cleaning alone rarely resolves the problem. Our odour elimination process goes beyond masking the smell. We neutralize it at the source using industrial equipment so the odour is genuinely gone, not temporarily covered.
A fire doesn't just damage your home's structure. It affects everything inside it. Furniture, clothing, electronics, documents, and irreplaceable personal items can all be impacted by fire, smoke, soot, and water. We carefully inventory and assess every affected item, restore what can be saved, and document what cannot for your insurance claim. Items requiring specialist treatment are packed out and stored safely at our facility while your home is being restored.
This is the part of fire damage that surprises most homeowners. Fire suppression, whether from your sprinkler system or the fire department's hoses, leaves behind significant water that needs to be extracted and dried immediately. If not addressed within hours, secondary water damage and mould growth follow. We treat water damage from firefighting as an urgent priority from the moment we arrive on site.
One of the first questions Calgary homeowners ask us after a fire is: "What will my insurance cover?" The honest answer is that fire damage is one of the most commonly covered events under standard Alberta home insurance policies, but the specifics depend on your policy, your insurer, and the cause and circumstances of the fire.
In Alberta, home insurance could cover fire and smoke damage restoration when the event resulted from a sudden and accidental cause, such as:
• An accidental kitchen or cooking fire
• An electrical fire or wiring failure
• A heating system malfunction (furnace, space heater, or fireplace)
• An appliance fire (dryer, dishwasher, etc.)
Intentional acts, fires resulting from illegal activity, and damage from fires that occur in a home left vacant beyond your policy's vacancy clause may be covered at reduced limits or excluded. Smoke damage from a neighbouring property or wildfire smoke may be treated differently depending on your specific policy.Red Dot Restoration has extensive experience navigating fire-damage insurance claims with major Alberta insurers. Our team uses Xactimate, the industry-standard estimating software used by adjusters, so our documentation is in exactly the format your insurer expects. We:
• Help you understand what your policy likely covers before we begin
• Document all fire, smoke, soot, and water damage thoroughly with photos and a detailed scope of work
• Communicate directly with your adjuster when needed
• Handle the paperwork so you can focus on your family and your home
Not sure if you’re covered? Call for an inspection. Get a straight answer.
Disclaimer: Every fire damage situation and every insurance policy is different. Red Dot Restoration can help you understand the process, document the damage, and communicate with your adjuster, but final coverage decisions are always made by your insurance provider.
Red Dot Restoration provides fire damage restoration across Calgary and the surrounding region, including:
Calgary (NW, NE, SW, SE) · Airdrie · Okotoks · Chestermere · Cochrane · High River · Strathmore · Langdon · Bragg Creek · Banff · Canmore
We also provide specialist fire and smoke damage restoration for property managers, condominium managers, and commercial spaces, with detailed reporting, insurance documentation, and minimal disruption to operations.
Visit our Commercial Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration page.
When disaster strikes, Red Dot Restoration delivers
Property damage can feel overwhelming. These FAQs are here to give you clarity, confidence, and a clear next step when it matters most.
Fire damage restoration costs in Calgary vary significantly depending on the size of the affected area, the severity of the fire, and the extent of smoke, soot, and water damage involved. Smaller contained fires may fall in the range of $10,000 to $30,000, while more extensive structural damage and full rebuilds can range considerably higher. Red Dot Restoration provides a thorough on-site assessment and written estimate before any work begins, so you have a clear picture of the scope and cost from the start.
Fire damage is one of the most commonly covered events under standard Alberta home insurance policies. In most cases, accidental fires, including kitchen fires, electrical fires, and heating equipment failures, are covered, along with resulting smoke, soot, and water damage from firefighting efforts. The specifics depend on your policy and insurer. Red Dot Restoration works directly with your adjuster, using Xactimate, and can help you understand what your situation likely entails from the moment we assess your home.
Disclaimer: Every fire damage situation and every insurance policy is different. Red Dot Restoration can help you understand the process, document the damage, and communicate with your adjuster, but final coverage decisions are always made by your insurance provider.
The timeline depends on the severity and scope of the damage. Emergency stabilization and initial cleanup typically begin within the first 24 to 72 hours. Structural drying following firefighting water damage takes 3 to 5 days in most cases. Full restoration and rebuild, including replacing drywall, flooring, cabinetry, and finishes, can take several weeks to several months, depending on the extent of the losses. We provide a clear project timeline after our initial assessment so you know what to expect at every stage.
In most cases, following a significant fire, temporary relocation is necessary, at least during the initial cleanup, drying, and soot removal phases. Smoke residue and soot present ongoing air quality concerns, and the restoration process involves equipment, demolition, and controlled conditions that make the home unsuitable for living in. For minor smoke or soot events without structural damage, remaining in part of the home may be possible. Your insurance policy may cover temporary accommodation costs while your home is being restored, and we can help you document this as part of your claim.
Fire damage refers to the direct destruction caused by flames, including charred structures, burned materials, and compromised framing. Smoke damage refers to the penetration of smoke into walls, ceilings, contents, and HVAC systems, causing discolouration, corrosion, and persistent odour. Soot is the fine black residue deposited by smoke. It is acidic and begins corroding surfaces within hours of a fire. All three typically occur together, and each requires a specific treatment approach, which is why professional assessment covers all three rather than just the visible burn area.
Soot begins chemically reacting with and corroding surfaces within hours of a fire. Metal fixtures can tarnish and pit, plastics can permanently discolour, and painted surfaces become increasingly difficult to clean the longer treatment is delayed. This is why the first 24 to 48 hours after a fire are critical. Acting quickly directly affects how much can be saved and the overall cost of restoration.
Yes, when treated properly with professional-grade equipment, smoke odour can be fully eliminated rather than just masked. Surface cleaning alone is rarely sufficient because smoke molecules embed themselves in porous materials, including drywall, insulation, wood framing, flooring, and soft furnishings. Red Dot Restoration uses thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators, and ozone treatment where appropriate to neutralize odour at the source. If your home still smells of smoke after a previous restoration attempt, call us. Persistent odour is a solvable problem.
First and most importantly, do not re-enter your home until fire services have declared it safe to do so. Once it is safe, call your insurance company to report the claim and call Red Dot Restoration. Do not attempt to clean soot or smoke damage yourself, as improper cleaning can permanently set stains and make restoration more difficult. Don't run your HVAC system, as this can spread soot and smoke residue through your ductwork. We'll handle the assessment, securing your property, and documentation so you can focus on your family.
IICRC Certified · Free Home Inspections · Insurance Claims Welcome · 24/7 Emergency Response · Calgary & Area
Call Red Dot Restoration for a fire damage assessment. We'll secure your property, explain the path forward honestly, and manage your insurance claim so you can focus on what matters most.