Northern Nevada lives with wildfire. The Caughlin, Washoe Drive, Waterfall, Little Valley and Davis fires all burned homes, and smoke from fires across the Sierra settles over Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe most summers. Many smoke claims come from homes the fire never reached.
Document early
- Photograph ash on window sills, decks, patio furniture and vehicles.
- Wipe a few surfaces with a white cloth and photograph the residue.
- Check HVAC filters and supply registers.
- Note odor in closets, cabinets and soft furnishings.
- Keep records of evacuation dates and air-quality alerts.
Why cleaning scopes are disputed
Insurers often offer a light cleaning and a filter change. A complete scope may include HEPA vacuuming and wet cleaning of all surfaces, duct cleaning or replacement, attic insulation removal, carpet and upholstery cleaning, contents cleaning and odor treatment. The difference can be large, and it is a disagreement about scope and cost, which is what appraisal addresses.
Testing
Residue testing by a qualified professional can help define the scope. It is not always necessary, but it can be persuasive when the insurer doubts smoke reached the interior.
Build an illustrative scope
Our smoke & ash cleaning estimator shows how a fuller scope adds up, using unit prices you can edit.