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Fire Damage Restoration Pricing in El Dorado, Arkansas 2026

September 18th, 2024

4 min read

By Valeria Chumbiauca

Historic downtown of El Dorado, Arkansas.

After a house fire, most homeowners feel overwhelmed. Besides the emotional impact and the rush to act, there's one big question hanging over everything: How much is this going to cost? Would it be $10,000 or even more than that? Will my insurance cover it?

That uncertainty adds stress to an already difficult situation. And sadly, many homeowners never get a clear explanation of what actually goes into fire damage restoration costs.

At Restore-It, we’ve helped homeowners across El Dorado and nearby communities recover from fire damage for more than 10 years. As an IICRC-certified firm, our work follows recognized national standards. For us, honesty and transparency are part of doing the job right. That’s why we’re going to discuss fire restoration pricing openly with you!

In this guide, you will learn:

  • How fire restoration pricing is calculated
  • What affects your final cost
  • What homeowners in El Dorado typically pay
  • How to avoid unnecessary expenses

By the end, you will understand how fire damage restoration costs work in El Dorado, Arkansas. Plus, you feel more confident about what to do next the next time an incident happens.

How Fire Damage Restoration Costs Are Calculated

Most professional restoration companies, including Restore-It, use industry-standard estimating software called Xactimate. Insurance companies use the same database.

This software calculates the costs based on the region and not the input of restoration companies. This helps make sure prices are based on current, local market rates.

Here’s how the process usually works.

  1. Technicians inspect the home and take measurements. They check the affected rooms, surfaces, and materials to understand the degree of damage.
  2. They identify the work that needs to be done. This may include cleaning, removing smoke odors, drying wet areas, and restoring damaged materials and belongings.
  3. The estimate is adjusted for the details of the job. Things like the type of fire, ease of access to affected areas, level of contamination, and safety needs can affect the final bill.

Most services are priced by square foot, linear foot, number of items, or labor hours. In most cases, rebuilding and structural repairs make up the largest part of the total cost.

Factors That Affect Fire Damage Costs

Every fire is different, but these factors have the biggest impact on pricing:

1. Size of the Home and Affected Areas

Smoke and soot travel quickly. Even if the fire started in one room, smoke and odor can spread through the rest of the house. This often means more areas need to be cleaned and restored.

Larger homes or damage to multiple rooms typically result in higher costs.

2. Materials and Contents Affected

Fire damage is rarely just fire damage. Water from firefighting efforts can cause secondary water damage or mold growth. Soot can permanently stain or corrode surfaces if not treated quickly.

Commonly affected items include:

  • Flooring and subflooring
  • Drywall and insulation
  • Clothing, furniture, and rugs
  • Electronics and appliances

The more materials involved, the higher the overall cost.

3. Type and Source of the Fire

Different fires require different cleaning methods. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fires are categorized as:

  • Class A: Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, fabric)
  • Class B: Flammable liquids
  • Class C: Electrical fires
  • Class D: Combustible metals
  • Class K: Cooking oils and fats

Electrical fires often need special cleaning for wiring and appliances. Kitchen fires usually leave greasy soot that takes more effort to remove.

4. Time and Labor Requirements

Fire restoration requires a lot of hands-on work. Jobs that need more containment, more equipment, or longer travel times can increase labor costs.

Delays in starting mitigation can also make damage worse and more expensive over time.

Will my Insurance Company Cover all Restoration Costs?

In most cases, homeowner’s insurance covers fire damage, including smoke and water damage from firefighting efforts.

However, coverage depends on:

  • Policy limits
  • Deductibles
  • Cause of the fire
  • Documentation of damages

Insurance typically pays for:

  • Mitigation and cleaning
  • Structural repairs
  • Contents restoration (if covered)

You may still be responsible for your deductible. Working with a restoration company experienced in insurance documentation can help prevent underpayment or claim delays.

Make sure to review your policy to determine your specific coverage. If you want to dive deeper into how insurance companies work after a house fire, check our article below.

Real Example: Multi-Room Electrical Fire in El Dorado

No two fires are the same. But that doesn't mean we will leave you in the dark when it comes to pricing. To show how costs add up, here’s a simplified example based on a similar local project.

Scenario:

  • One-story home
  • Electrical fire in the laundry room
  • Five affected rooms
  • Smoke, soot, and water damage

Category 1: Mitigation & Contents Handling

Includes:

  • Emergency service call
  • PPE & job setup
  • Packing materials
  • Clothing and textile cleaning
  • Furniture cleaning
  • Duct cleaning

Estimated total: $8,510.11 (before taxes)

Category 2: Living Room Restoration

Includes:

  • Floor and subfloor removal
  • HEPA vacuuming
  • Dehumidification
  • Surface cleaning
  • Contents manipulation

Estimated total: $5660.91, not including taxes

Category 3: Laundry Room Restoration

Includes:

  • Tear-out of damaged materials
  • Containment setup
  • Air scrubbers & dehumidifiers
  • Antimicrobial treatment

Estimated total: $2816.12, not including taxes.

Category 4: Kitchen, Hallway & Formal Living Room Cleaning

  • Includes detailed surface cleaning, cabinetry cleaning, and HVAC-related cleaning.

Estimated total (combined areas): $4,361.62 without taxes

Total Estimated Restoration Cost:

  • Structural cleaning & mitigation: $14,358.64
  • Contents cleaning & treatment: $6,990.12
  • Total: $21,348.76 (plus applicable taxes)

Even a fire contained to one room can easily exceed $20,000 once smoke and water damage are addressed.

From Uncertainty to Clarity

Dealing with a house fire can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to cave into fear. Now you understand:

  • How pricing works
  • What affects the costs
  • What typical price ranges look like in El Dorado
  • How fast costs can add up
  • What to do to prevent expenses from increasing

The restoration process doesn’t have to feel mysterious when it’s explained clearly.

The most important takeaway? Acting quickly and choosing a restoration company that is open and certified can help keep costs down and limit further damage. If you’d like to know our timeline for fire damage restoration, click below!

Now you are ready to deal with any fire damage restoration project. The next step is simple: Schedule a professional fire damage inspection to get a detailed estimate! Restore-It is available 24/7 for you. Call us and let’s restore your home and peace of mind.