Madison & Dane County, WI · 24/7
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
Soot, smoke odor, and structural fire cleanup - handled end-to-end.
IICRC Certified
S500 / S520 standards
EPA Lead-Safe (RRP)
Certified renovator
Insurance Approved
Direct billing
BBB Accredited
Local & trusted
5.0 ★ Reviews
Madison homeowners
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration in Madison & Dane County
A house fire is one of the most disorienting events a Madison family can face. Even after the flames are out, the work is just beginning: soot is acidic and etches finishes within hours, smoke odor penetrates porous materials at the molecular level, and water from suppression compounds the damage with secondary water and mold risk.
Independent Restoration Services has handled fire losses across Madison and Dane County for years. Our IICRC-certified Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) follow the IICRC S700 Standard from board-up through full reconstruction.
We're one of the only local teams that self-performs every step - emergency board-up, soot and smoke cleanup, contents pack-out, structural deodorization, and the final rebuild - so you don't have to coordinate three different contractors during the worst week of your life.
- Emergency board-up and tarping
- Soot, smoke, and ash removal
- Thermal fogging & ozone deodorization
- Contents cleaning and pack-out
- Coordination with your insurance adjuster
Common Causes
What causes fire & smoke damage restoration in Madison homes
Cooking fires
The leading cause of residential fires nationwide per the NFPA - typically grease ignition or unattended stovetops.
Heating equipment
Wood stoves, space heaters, and chimney fires spike during Wisconsin winters.
Electrical faults
Aging knob-and-tube wiring in older Madison homes, overloaded circuits, and failed appliances.
Smoking & candles
Discarded smoking materials and unattended candles remain a top ignition source.
Lithium-ion battery fires
E-bike, scooter, and power-tool battery fires are an emerging cause and burn extremely hot.
Garage & vehicle fires
Often spread to attached structures before the fire department arrives.
Warning Signs
How to tell you have a problem
- Visible char or structural fire damage
- Soot residue on walls, ceilings, vents, and contents
- Persistent smoke odor in HVAC, fabrics, and porous surfaces
- Yellow-brown staining on ceilings (protein soot from kitchen fires)
- Water damage from fire suppression
- Damaged electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems
What To Do Right Now
Before our crew arrives
- 1
Wait for the fire department's all-clear
Never re-enter until officials confirm structural and air safety.
- 2
Don't touch soot
Skin oils set soot into surfaces and finishes, turning a cleanable mark into permanent staining.
- 3
Don't run the HVAC
Soot circulating through ductwork spreads contamination to unaffected rooms.
- 4
Photograph everything
Document the scene before any cleanup or pack-out begins.
- 5
Call for emergency board-up
An unsecured fire-damaged property is a target for theft and weather damage. We board up 24/7.
- 6
Notify your carrier
File the claim and request emergency mitigation authorization.
How It Works
Our Process
- 1
Secure the property
Board-up and tarping to keep your home or business safe.
- 2
Damage assessment
Detailed scope and photos for your carrier.
- 3
Cleanup & deodorize
Soot removal, HEPA filtration, and odor neutralization.
- 4
Restore
Surface refinishing, content restoration, and rebuild coordination.
Professional Equipment
The equipment we bring on every job
Consumer-grade tools won't reach professional dry standard or meet industry remediation requirements. Our crews arrive fully equipped from a Madison-based fleet - no waiting on rented gear from out of town.
- HEPA-filtered air scrubbers and negative-air machines
- Thermal foggers for porous-surface deodorization
- Hydroxyl generators for occupied-space odor neutralization
- Ozone generators for unoccupied severe odor
- Ultrasonic cleaning tanks for contents
- Soda blasting and dry-ice blasting for char removal
- Specialty soot sponges, surfactants, and degreasers
Standards & Certifications
Held to documented industry standards
Our fire restoration follows the IICRC ANSI/IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration. Soot is identified by type (dry, wet, protein, fuel-oil) before cleaning because each requires different chemistry - using the wrong product can permanently set the residue.
Local & Independent
Why Madison homeowners choose a local restoration team
Fire restoration takes weeks or months. You want a team you can drive to, not a 1-800 number that routes to a different state. We meet on-site, communicate directly with your adjuster, and walk the rebuild with you at every stage.
Our office is in Madison and our crews are locals. References from past Dane County fire jobs are available on request.
Insurance & Pricing
Direct insurance billing - and what to expect on cost
Fire claims have multiple components: structure, contents, additional living expenses (ALE), and code upgrades. We document each separately so nothing is missed at settlement.
We coordinate directly with your adjuster, contents specialist, and any independent appraisers. Our scopes are written in Xactimate and reconcile cleanly.
Typical project ranges
Fire losses range widely. A small kitchen grease fire with smoke spread might be $8,000-$25,000 total. A whole-house structural fire with contents pack-out and rebuild commonly runs $80,000 to several hundred thousand. Insurance covers the vast majority on a covered loss.
Related Services
Specialized fire & smoke damage restoration services
Smoke & Odor Damage Cleanup
Soot removal, HEPA filtration, and ozone/hydroxyl odor neutralization.
Learn more →Odor Removal & Deodorization
Smoke, pet, biohazard, and mold odors - neutralized, not masked.
Learn more →Emergency Board-Up & Roof Tarping
Same-day board-up and tarping after fire, storm, or vehicle impact.
Learn more →Contents Cleaning & Pack-Out
Restore your belongings - clean, deodorize, and store securely.
Learn more →Reconstruction & Rebuild
One team from mitigation through full rebuild - no second contractor.
Learn more →Air Duct & HVAC Cleaning
NADCA-style cleaning to remove smoke, soot, and contaminants from ductwork.
Learn more →Service Area
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration across Dane County, WI
Locally dispatched from Madison to every community in our service area.
Fire & Smoke Damage in MiddletonFire & Smoke Damage in FitchburgFire & Smoke Damage in Sun PrairieFire & Smoke Damage in VeronaFire & Smoke Damage in WaunakeeFire & Smoke Damage in McFarlandFire & Smoke Damage in StoughtonFire & Smoke Damage in MononaFire & Smoke Damage in DeForestFire & Smoke Damage in Cottage GroveFire & Smoke Damage in OregonFire & Smoke Damage in Mount HorebFire & Smoke Damage in Cross PlainsFire & Smoke Damage in WindsorFire & Smoke Damage in Maple BluffFire & Smoke Damage in Shorewood HillsFire & Smoke Damage in BellevilleFire & Smoke Damage in Black EarthFire & Smoke Damage in MarshallFire & Smoke Damage in Cambridge
Other restoration services we offer
Insurance Carriers
We work directly with your insurance company
We bill most major homeowner and commercial carriers directly, including:
Don't see your carrier? We work with many more insurance companies across Wisconsin. Call (608) 218-5869 to confirm yours.
FAQ
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration FAQ
Additional resources
- FEMA: After a Fire
- City of Madison Fire Department
- Insurance Information Institute: Fire Insurance Claims
External links to authoritative agencies, standards bodies, and government resources.
Reviews
What Madison Says About Us
5.0
Need restoration help right now?
We're available 24/7 across Madison and Dane County. Call now or request a free estimate.