After a fire, Esquives helps Bay Area homeowners rebuild — structural repairs, smoke and soot remediation, and full reconstruction from permits to move-in.
Once everyone is safe and the fire department has cleared the property, contact your insurance company and then reach out to a licensed general contractor right away. Avoid entering heavily damaged areas, don't turn on utilities until they have been inspected, and don't discard burned items yet because the adjuster may need to see them. A contractor can help you secure the site, board up openings, and start documenting damage for your claim right away.
We work directly with your insurance adjuster by providing detailed photo documentation, measurements, and line-item estimates in formats adjusters expect — making the claim process as straightforward as possible. You remain in control of the claim, but we handle the technical scope and pricing questions your adjuster needs answered. We also coordinate inspections, revise estimates when scope changes, and provide change order documentation so the rebuild stays aligned with your policy approvals throughout.
We typically handle structural assessment, demolition of unsafe materials, smoke and soot cleaning, odor treatment, framing, insulation, drywall, flooring, paint, finish work, and coordination of trades like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. We do not handle contents cleaning, inventory of personal belongings, or policy coverage disputes, though we can refer specialists. Code-required upgrades and design changes beyond a like-kind rebuild can be included, but they’re usually treated as additional work outside the basic insurance scope.
Fire-damaged framing is evaluated by measuring char depth and pattern: members with surface-level charring on otherwise sound wood can often be cleaned, sealed, and kept; deeper char, structural compromise, or heavy moisture from firefighting typically requires full replacement. We work with a structural engineer and local building officials in cities like San Jose and Morgan Hill to confirm which members meet code for retention. Safety comes first — when there is any doubt about structural integrity, we recommend replacement.
We remove all visibly charred and heavily smoke-impacted materials first, then thoroughly clean remaining surfaces with specialized soot removal products and HEPA filtration. We often use odor counteractants and sealants on framing and other porous surfaces after cleaning. Odor issues usually arise when materials were left in place or just painted over, so we focus on full decontamination instead of masking smells.
A residential fire damage rebuild in California typically takes 2–4 months for smaller fires affecting one or two rooms, and 6–12+ months for major fires requiring extensive structural work, code upgrades, and Bay Area permitting. Insurance approval timelines are often the biggest variable — we provide the documentation your adjuster needs early to avoid delays. We give you a realistic milestone schedule after the initial assessment so you can make informed decisions about temporary housing and your return date.
Yes, in California any structural work, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and most significant interior rebuilds require permits. We handle the permit application, plans, and inspections with your local building department, whether it’s San Jose, Morgan Hill, Los Angeles, or another city. The inspection schedule can affect the total timeline, but it ensures the home is rebuilt to current code.
We can absolutely incorporate upgrades—such as better layouts, higher-end finishes, or fire-hardening improvements—while we rebuild. Insurance typically pays for like-kind replacement, and any upgrades beyond that are usually paid by you as separate work. We can show you clear cost breakdowns so you know what’s covered by your claim and what is out-of-pocket.
For significant fire damage, it’s usually not safe or comfortable to stay in the home, especially if utilities are disconnected or there’s heavy smoke and structural damage. The work involves demolition, drying, cleaning, and construction with noise, dust, and inspections. We can help you and your insurer understand the scope so they can address temporary housing arrangements if your policy allows.
Burned framing, charred sheathing, melted electrical wiring, damaged plumbing, and warped HVAC components usually require full replacement. Insulation, drywall, carpet, and most porous materials that absorbed smoke or water from firefighting are also commonly removed. Hard surfaces like tile or cabinets may sometimes be cleaned and saved if they haven’t been structurally compromised or heavily smoke damaged.
You can safely gather important documents and undamaged valuables if the fire department and your insurer have cleared it, but avoid disturbing soot-covered areas or moving structural components. Soot particles are corrosive and can be harmful if inhaled, and disturbing them can make professional cleaning harder. For structural assessment, heavy demolition, and deep smoke cleaning, it’s best to wait for a licensed contractor with the proper equipment and protection.
Yes, we document the damage and the restoration process with photos, measurements, and detailed scope descriptions from day one. We can provide copies of these records, invoices, and any change orders to you and your adjuster. This helps support your claim and makes it clear what work was necessary to restore the property to a safe, livable condition.
Esquives General Contractors · Morgan Hill, CA · (408) 809-1212 · sales@esquivescontractors.com · Mon–Fri 6:00am–5:00pm, Sat 6:00am–2:00pm · CSLB License #1056641 · Licensed, bonded & insured.