Water damage drying
Fire & smoke cleanup
Mold remediation
Storm response
Sewage cleanup
ReconstructionFree visual inspection and a written scope of work before any mitigation begins - photos, moisture readings, and drying logs go in your claim file
The scope we write is the scope we bill. Anything new gets shown to you, in writing, before we touch it.
Get your free estimateTrusted Fire Damage Restoration for San Francisco Homeowners
A fire changes the way a house feels. Even a small kitchen fire leaves soot in places you wouldn’t expect, and the smell settles into drywall, fabrics, and the space between floors. We’re Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco, an independently owned and operated restoration company working to the Cedarwell Care Promise. We’ve been responding to Fire Damage Restoration - San Francisco calls since 2006, with a live person answering the phone 24 hours a day. Rick Sumner and our IICRC-, RIA-, and IFA-credentialed technicians arrive with shoe covers already on, drop cloths ready, and a written price in hand before any work begins. If your home has fire or smoke damage, call (831) 400-3496. We’ll walk you through what happens next, step by step, without rushing you.
Fire Damage Restoration Company
Fire Damage Restoration Company work starts the moment the fire is out, because the damage keeps moving even after the trucks leave. Soot is acidic, smoke particles burrow into surfaces, and water from the fire department’s hoses creates a second problem behind the first. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco handles the full sequence: board-up, water extraction, soot cleanup, structural drying, smoke odor removal, and the final repairs that make a home feel lived-in again. Most Daly City Fire Damage Restoration jobs and San Francisco projects run between $4,000 and $18,000 depending on the square footage affected and whether structural repairs are needed, and you see that number in writing before we touch anything. That written price, plus the 365-Day Done Right Promise, is part of how we work on every job, from a single-room grease fire to a full-floor rebuild.
Full-Scope Restoration
We manage the whole process from the first call through the final walkthrough, including direct coordination with your insurance adjuster. Photo documentation happens before, during, and after, so the scope is clear and the claim file is complete. You get a photo of the clean-up before our crew leaves the property.
Written Price Before Work Starts
Every Tidemark job includes a written price delivered before any equipment comes off the truck. No surprises on the final invoice, no vague estimates that creep upward. It’s the same standard we’ve held since 2006, and it’s how a restoration company should operate.
Restoration work we handle
Smoke Damage Restoration
Smoke Damage Restoration addresses what you can’t always see: the microscopic particles that travel through wall cavities, ductwork, and insulation long after the flames are out. Smoke from a fire in one room can leave residue in closets two floors up, and that residue is both acidic and persistent. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco uses professional-grade air scrubbers, thermal fogging, and HEPA filtration to remove smoke particles from the air and surfaces rather than just masking them. Smoke damage restoration in San Francisco typically runs $2,500 to $8,000 for a standard room, more when ductwork cleaning and full textile restoration are included. We explain every step of the chemical process before applying anything, because you deserve to know exactly what’s being used in your home.
Air and Surface Treatment
Our technicians use HEPA air scrubbers from XPOWER and B-Air to pull smoke particles out of the air while treating surfaces with appropriate cleaning agents. We name every product we use and explain why it’s needed for your specific surfaces. Pet-safe options are used wherever there is a choice, because your animals live in this house too.
Textile and Content Cleaning
Clothing, curtains, upholstery, and bedding hold smoke odor long after surfaces are wiped down. We inventory, photograph, and process salvageable textiles using methods matched to the fabric type. Items that can’t be restored are documented for your insurance claim rather than quietly thrown away.
Fire Damage Repair
Fire Damage Repair is the structural work that follows cleanup: replacing drywall, repairing framing, refinishing floors, and restoring the home to its pre-fire condition. The repair phase can’t start until the property is fully dried and sanitized, or you’ll seal contamination inside the walls. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco coordinates the full sequence so the repair crew isn’t waiting on the drying crew and vice versa. Fire damage repair in San Francisco typically ranges from $6,000 to $30,000 depending on the extent of structural compromise, and that number depends heavily on whether load-bearing elements were touched by heat. Our IICRC-credentialed technicians document every repair with photos so your adjuster sees exactly what was replaced and why.
Structural Assessment and Repair
Before any repair begins, we check framing, subfloor, and ceiling joists for heat damage that isn’t visible on the surface. Charring on a stud, for example, can compromise load capacity even when the drywall covering it looks fine. We mark, document, and repair these elements to code.
Finishing and Surface Restoration
The final phase brings the room back: new drywall, fresh paint matched to your existing walls, flooring replacement if needed. We match materials to the rest of the house rather than leaving a visible patch. The goal is a room that feels like it was always that way.
Fire Damage Cleanup
Fire Damage Cleanup covers the immediate aftermath: removing debris, hauling out damaged materials, wiping soot off every surface it touched, and getting the house to a stable point where restoration can properly begin. Cleanup is often the step where homeowners feel the most overwhelmed, because the scope feels enormous and every surface seems affected. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco sends a full crew with the right equipment and a clear plan, and the work starts with a written price you approve first. Basic fire damage cleanup in San Francisco typically runs $1,800 to $5,000 for a contained fire in a kitchen or bedroom. We protect your floors with drop cloths before the first piece of equipment comes inside, and shoe covers go on at the door, every time.
Debris Removal and Disposal
Fire debris isn’t simple trash: it can contain sharp edges, hazardous residues, and materials that need special disposal. Our crew is trained to sort salvageable items from unsalvageable ones, and we document everything with photographs before it leaves the property. That documentation matters when your insurance claim is being reviewed.
Surface Wiping and Initial Soot Removal
Soot left on surfaces for more than a few days becomes harder to remove and more likely to stain permanently. We begin surface cleaning on day one, using the right chemical for each material. The faster this happens, the more of your home’s finishes can be saved.
Smoke Odor Removal
Smoke Odor Removal is often the last thing a homeowner thinks about and the first thing they notice when it isn’t done right. The smell isn’t just unpleasant; it’s evidence that smoke particles are still embedded in the materials around you. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco uses a combination of hydroxyl generators, ozone treatment in unoccupied spaces, thermal fogging, and surface sealing to remove odor at its source rather than covering it with fragrance. Smoke odor removal in San Francisco typically runs $1,200 to $4,500, depending on the square footage affected and whether ductwork cleaning is needed. We never use masking agents; if the odor is still detectable after treatment, we keep working under the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Source Removal vs. Masking
Spraying air freshener or running a deodorizer machine for a day doesn’t remove smoke odor; it buries it temporarily. Our process targets the particles themselves, pulling them from carpet fibers, drywall pores, and furniture upholstery. The difference is noticeable within 48 hours.
Duct and HVAC Treatment
Smoke travels through your heating and cooling system, depositing particles inside ductwork that then recirculate every time the system runs. We inspect and clean ducts as part of smoke odor removal when needed, and we explain whether your system requires it. This step is frequently missed by less thorough restoration companies.
Fire and Water Damage Restoration
Fire and Water Damage Restoration addresses the combination most homeowners don’t expect: the fire itself, and the water used to put it out. Fire hoses can dump hundreds of gallons into a structure, and that water soaks into drywall, flooring, and subfloor exactly like a flood would. If the water isn’t extracted and dried properly, you’re adding mold to the smoke damage. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco handles both in sequence, because we’re a water damage restoration company first. Combined fire and water restoration in San Francisco typically runs $8,000 to $25,000, with the water extraction and drying phase accounting for a meaningful portion of that. We use Dri-Eaz, Phoenix, and Injectidry drying equipment, the same machines used by leading restoration specialists, and our technicians are IICRC-credentialed in both fire and water restoration.
Water Extraction After Fire Suppression
Water from fire hoses pools in the lowest points of the structure, including places you can’t see: under cabinets, inside wall cavities, beneath vinyl flooring. We extract the standing water first, then use moisture meters to map the tide mark and determine exactly how far the water traveled. Drying past that mark, not just to it, is what prevents secondary damage.
Coordinated Drying and Dehumidification
Our Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers and Phoenix air movers run on a schedule calculated for your specific wall materials and the humidity levels in your San Francisco home. We adjust the equipment daily based on moisture readings, and we explain those readings when you ask. The drying phase can’t be rushed without leaving moisture behind, and we won’t take shortcuts that cost you later.
Soot Removal
Soot Removal is more specialized than wiping down walls, because soot isn’t a single substance. It’s a mixture of carbon particles, oils, and chemicals that varies depending on what burned: protein fires leave a nearly invisible film that smells terrible, synthetic fires leave an oily black residue, and grease fires leave a sticky coating that smears if touched wrong. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco identifies the soot type first, then matches the cleaning method to it. Soot removal in San Francisco typically runs $1,500 to $5,000 for the initial treatment, which includes contents cleaning in the affected room. Using the wrong cleaner on the wrong soot type can permanently set stains, which is why our technicians start every job with a soot analysis rather than a generic approach.
Soot Type Identification
Different soot types require different chemistry. We test the residue before choosing a cleaning agent, because a formula that works on protein soot can make petroleum soot worse. This step takes minutes and can save thousands in ruined finishes.
Surface-by-Surface Treatment
Painted drywall, wood trim, tile, glass, and metal each respond differently to soot removal. Our technicians treat each surface with the appropriate method and product, and we protect surfaces that don’t need treatment with plastic sheeting and drop cloths. Ask before we move anything is how we operate, and that includes your furniture.
Brands We Service
Our technicians work daily with professional restoration equipment from Dri-Eaz, Phoenix, and Injectidry, the same machines used by leading restoration specialists across the country. We know these systems inside and out: how to set dry-down calculations on a Dri-Eaz dehumidifier for San Francisco’s microclimate, how to position Phoenix air movers in a Victorian living room without blocking doorways, and how to use Injectidry systems to pull moisture from behind plaster walls without tearing them open. That equipment knowledge translates directly to faster drying times and lower total costs.
Our certifications through IICRC, RIA, and IFA set the industry benchmark for water, mold, and fire restoration, and those credentials matter when your insurance adjuster reviews our scope documentation. Whether your home has been touched by a small stove fire or a full structural event, we bring the right tools and the right training to your San Francisco doorstep. And if you have equipment from any other manufacturer, that’s fine too; our process works regardless of brand.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- You can smell smoke days after the fire. Smoke odor that persists for more than a day or two means particles are embedded in porous materials, not just floating in the air. The longer they sit, the deeper they penetrate, making removal harder and more expensive.
- Soot is visible on walls, ceilings, or inside cabinets. Soot is acidic and begins etching surfaces within hours. If you see black or yellow film on painted walls, especially near the fire source, the clock is already running on permanent staining.
- Water from fire hoses has soaked into flooring or walls. If you can see water staining, buckling, or softness underfoot, the moisture has likely traveled farther than what’s visible. Untreated moisture in San Francisco’s climate can support mold growth within 48 to 72 hours.
- The electricity was affected in any way. Fire can damage wiring inside walls even where no flame touched. If breakers trip, outlets feel warm, or lights flicker after the fire, stop using those circuits and call a professional before anything else.
- Your insurance company is asking for documentation. The claim process moves faster when a professional restoration company has already started photo documentation and scope reporting. We handle that process every day and can coordinate directly with your adjuster.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Assess the full scope and give you a written price. We arrive, walk the property with you, and document everything with photographs and moisture readings. Before any work begins, you get a written price in hand. No exceptions, no surprises, on any Tidemark job.
- 2
Secure the property and protect your belongings. Board-up, tarping, and ventilation happen first if needed. Then we lay drop cloths on every floor we’ll walk on and put shoe covers on at the door. Furniture and fixtures that can be moved safely are moved with your permission, never without it.
- 3
Extract water and begin structural drying. If fire suppression left water behind, we pull it out with extraction equipment and set up Dri-Eaz dehumidifiers and Phoenix air movers. Daily moisture meter readings tell us when the structure is truly dry, not just dry on the surface.
- 4
Remove soot and treat smoke odor. Our technicians identify the soot type and clean each surface with the matching chemistry. HEPA air scrubbers run throughout the process, and thermal fogging or hydroxyl treatment follows to clear the odor at its source.
- 5
Repair and restore, then walk through with you. Drywall, paint, flooring, and any structural repairs are completed, then we do a final walkthrough with you. Before the crew leaves, you receive a photo of the clean-up so you can see exactly what was done and how the space was left.
How Much Does Fire Damage Restoration Cost in San Francisco?
A typical Fire Damage Restoration - South San Francisco project runs between $4,000 and $18,000, with smaller contained fires landing lower than that range and full-room structural rebuilds exceeding it. A kitchen grease fire limited to the stove area might run $2,000 to $5,000, while a fire that damaged framing and required water extraction plus full soot removal could reach $20,000 or more. The biggest cost factors are square footage affected, whether structural elements like studs or joists were touched by heat, and whether fire hoses introduced water that needs extraction and drying.
What affects the price: the type of soot, the age of the home, whether ductwork needs cleaning, and how quickly cleanup begins. Older San Francisco homes with plaster walls and original wood trim often require more careful, time-intensive work than newer construction with standard drywall. How to avoid overpaying: get a written price before work starts, which we provide on every job, and ask whether the scope includes drying equipment removal, not just placement. The faster the assessment happens, the less the damage spreads, and our estimates are free. Call (831) 400-3496 and we’ll give you a specific number for your home, not a generic range.
Our Service Area Near San Francisco
Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco serves the city and the surrounding Bay Area communities, including Berkeley, Daly City, San Mateo, and Oakland, typically arriving within 60 to 90 minutes for emergency calls. Our technicians also regularly work in Hayward, Piedmont, Vallejo, Richmond, San Leandro, Walnut Creek, and Alameda. If you’re in any of these areas, a live person answers at (831) 400-3496 and can dispatch a crew the same day. We know the neighborhoods, the building styles, and the fire codes in each. See our dedicated pages for Fire Damage Restoration in Oakland and Fire Damage Restoration in Hayward for area-specific details, or return to the home page to explore our full range of restoration services.
Serving San Francisco, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Francisco area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Damage Restoration in San Francisco
Fire damage restoration is the complete process of returning a fire-damaged home to its pre-loss condition, including debris removal, soot cleanup, smoke odor elimination, water extraction from fire suppression, structural drying, and repairs. It requires specialized equipment and training because fire damage combines chemical residue, moisture, and structural compromise in ways that a standard cleaning crew isn’t equipped to handle. In Fire Damage Restoration - Alameda and San Francisco, the process is guided by local building codes and often coordinated with insurance adjusters. Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco has handled fire restoration since 2006 and provides a written price before work begins.
Most fire damage restoration projects in San Francisco take between 3 and 10 days for cleanup and drying, with full repairs extending the timeline to 2 to 6 weeks depending on structural work. The drying phase alone typically runs 3 to 5 days, because moisture trapped in walls and subfloor can’t be rushed without risking mold growth. We give you a realistic timeline during the initial assessment and update it daily as the work progresses. Repair work that requires permits in San Francisco can add to the schedule, and we coordinate that with your adjuster.
A typical fire damage restoration project in San Francisco costs between $4,000 and $18,000, with contained single-room fires running lower and full structural rebuilds exceeding that range. Soot removal alone typically runs $1,500 to $5,000, while smoke odor removal adds another $1,200 to $4,500. The exact number depends on square footage, soot type, water damage from fire hoses, and whether framing or electrical work is required. Call (831) 400-3496 for a free estimate specific to your home, and you’ll see the written number before any work starts.
Yes, Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco regularly serves Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Daly City, and the surrounding Bay Area communities, typically arriving within 60 to 90 minutes for emergency dispatch. Our technicians know the building styles and fire patterns in each of these cities, from Oakland bungalows to Hayward townhomes. You can read more on our Fire Damage Restoration in Oakland and Fire Damage Restoration in Hayward pages, or call (831) 400-3496 to speak with a live person now.
Yes, our phone line is answered by a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, not a voicemail or a callback queue. Fires don’t wait for business hours, and neither does the damage they leave behind, so we dispatch crews on weekends, holidays, and overnight when needed. Calling (831) 400-3496 any time connects you with someone who can start the process immediately. The initial assessment is free, and the written price comes before any work begins.
Every Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco job is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the restoration isn’t done right, we make it right. That guarantee covers our water damage, mold, and fire restoration work, and it’s in place long after the crew has left your home. This isn’t a marketing line; it’s the standard we’ve held since 2006 as part of the Cedarwell Care Promise network. If something doesn’t hold up, call us and we’ll come back.
If it’s safe to enter the property, the best preparation is to leave everything in place and avoid wiping surfaces or touching soot, because the wrong cleaning product can set stains permanently. Secure pets and children in an unaffected area, and make a list of any items that are irreplaceable or need priority handling. Take your own photos if you can, but don’t enter areas with structural damage or electrical concerns. Then call us at (831) 400-3496 and we’ll handle the rest, including direct coordination with your insurance adjuster.
Schedule Your Fire Damage Restoration Service in San Francisco Today
You don’t have to figure out the next step alone. Call Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco at (831) 400-3496 and you’ll speak with a live person who can dispatch a crew today, any hour of the day. We’ll assess the damage, give you a written price before any work starts, and walk you through the entire process. Your estimate is free, and our 365-Day Done Right Promise covers everything we do.
Written by Rick Sumner, Owner at Tidemark Water Damage San Francisco, serving San Francisco since 2006.