What happens when you call
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Tell us what happened. 30 seconds - what burned and whether the home is secure.
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You're connected with a local restoration crew while you're on the line.
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The crew confirms timing and your arrival time - board-up comes first if the house is open.
What Boston crews handle
What's different in Boston?
Boston winters write the playbook: ice dams pond meltwater under roof shingles until it finds the ceiling, and deep freezes burst pipes in triple-decker walls that were never insulated to modern standards. The housing stock is old - original galvanized lines, plaster walls that hold moisture - and spring thaws push groundwater into stone-foundation basements.
Northern policies cover sudden freeze-burst pipes as long as the home was reasonably heated - and ice-dam water damage to the interior is typically covered even though the roof maintenance itself may not be. Sewer and sump backup need their own endorsement.
Your call goes to a crew based in the Boston area. Serving Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, Newton, Brookline, and all of Suffolk County.
Common questions
Can we stay in the house?
Depends on smoke spread and structural safety - the crew tells you straight after inspection. If you can't, most policies pay for temporary housing (loss-of-use coverage).
Is fire damage covered by insurance?
Typically yes. Fire is a core homeowner's peril, and coverage usually includes smoke damage, water from firefighting, board-up, and rebuilding, subject to your limits and deductible - check your declarations page for those. Ask the contractor about documentation and coordination with your adjuster.
Should I start cleaning up myself?
It's best to wait on soot cleanup. Wiping soot the wrong way can drive it deeper, and moving debris before photos may reduce what your claim can show. Waiting on cleanup doesn't mean delaying safe steps to prevent further damage, like board-up or tarping once it's safe. Photograph first.