Prepare a smoke damage assessment

Bring a brief that separates facts and assumptions

Provide the event date, confirmed source, property type, areas involved and current access situation. Include heat, suppression water and equipment operation only when known. “Not inspected” should remain distinct from “no impact observed.”

A room list and existing safe photographs can make the discussion more precise. Avoid bringing loose residue samples or disturbing materials to improve the brief. The assessor should establish what information or testing is appropriate.

Agree the deliverable

Ask whether you will receive a written report, itemized scope, estimate, test record or some combination. A useful document states the assessed boundary, findings, limitations, proposed work and questions that require other expertise.

The published S700 scope describes professional fire-residue and odour restoration with explicit limits. Do not assume a general cleaning visit includes wildfire exposure assessment, every specialist material or individual health concerns.

Ask how a recommendation was reached

• What observation or test supports this work item?
• Which alternative was considered and why?
• What material or area remains inaccessible?
• What qualified expertise is needed for an unresolved issue?
• What finding would change the scope?

Connect assessment to authorization

Keep assessment findings, contractor proposal, owner approval and insurer authorization as separate records. They may address different questions. Agree how additional findings, hazards and cost changes are handled before the work boundary expands.

References and scope

1. ANSI/IICRC S700: fire and smoke restoration — IICRC.
   First edition2025; published scope only. Wildfire and exposure evaluation are not comprehensively addressed. The paid standard has not been reproduced.
2. Wildfire impact assessment technical guide, second edition — AIHA.
   Published overview for professional assessment of surviving buildings; not a homeowner sampling protocol.
3. Wildfires and property insurance — Government of Alberta.
   Policy wording and limits vary. Coverage, valuation and payment decisions require the actual policy/claim.

Source links checked September30,2026. General guidance and original planning questions do not establish the condition, exposure risk or clearance of a property.