Smoke Damage Restoration in Austin, TX

If smoke or soot spread through your Austin home, keep people out of the worst rooms and don’t wipe the residue. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves Austin to assess the smoke, soot and odor.

What to do in the first 24 hours in Austin

1. Wait for the all-clear. If there was a fire, stay out until the Austin Fire Department says it is safe (USFA). For non-emergency city help, call 3-1-1.
2. Call your insurer and photograph every affected room, including soot inside cabinets and closets (TDI claim tips).
3. Don’t wipe or scrub soot. It is oily and smears. If you vacuum loose soot, hold the nozzle above the surface and skip brush attachments (UF/IFAS).
4. Turn off the heating and cooling system until it is checked, and change the filter. Running it can spread soot through the house.
5. Ventilate if it is safe. Open windows and run fans when weather allows.
6. Leave utilities off if firefighters shut them off. Austin Energy takes outage reports at 512-322-9100 (Austin Energy).
7. Throw out exposed food, including food in cans or the fridge that was exposed to fumes (USDA).
8. Bag smoky clothing but don’t wash it until your adjuster has seen it, unless the restoration company advises otherwise.

Local numbers to keep handy in Austin

Who	Why you might call	Number
Emergency	Fire, injury or gas leak	911
City of Austin	Non-emergency city services	3-1-1
Austin Energy	Power outages	512-322-9100
Austin Water	Water emergencies	512-972-1000
Texas Gas Service	Gas leaks	1-800-959-5325
Building and Trade Contractor Services	Emergency repair permits	512-974-1500
Emergency electrical inspections	Inspections before power is restored	512-974-2030
Austin floodplain office	Floodplain questions	512-974-2843

What smoke damage restoration involves

Smoke restoration targets residue you can see and odor you can’t.

Stage	What happens	Typical duration
Residue assessment	The crew identifies dry soot, wet or protein residue, or fuel residue, and tests surfaces.	First visit
Dry soot removal	Vacuuming and dry chemical sponges lift loose soot before anything wet touches it.	Early in the job
Washing and degreasing	Cleaners matched to each residue and surface remove what is left.	Days, depending on room count
HVAC cleaning	Ducts and equipment are inspected and cleaned so they don’t recirculate residue.	Before the system runs full time
Odor treatment	Sources are removed first, then deodorizing such as thermal fogging or ozone in an empty home.	Often several rounds
Seal and repaint	Stain-blocking sealer stops odor and stains bleeding through new paint.	Near the end

The industry standard is the ANSI/IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration.

What it typically costs

• How far smoke traveled and how many rooms need cleaning.
• The type of residue. Protein and fuel residue take more labor than dry soot.
• Whether the HVAC system and ducts need cleaning.
• How many belongings and textiles need cleaning or deodorizing.
• Sealing and repainting.

Ozone treatments mean the house must be empty. The EPA warns ozone can damage the lungs and should only be used where no people or pets are exposed (EPA).

How does insurance work for smoke damage restoration in Texas?

Your adjuster decides what your policy covers. The restoration company documents the damage and writes the estimate the adjuster reviews. It can’t negotiate your claim for you.

• Timelines: insurers have 15 business days to acknowledge a claim, then 15 business days to accept or deny it after receiving what they need. They can take 45 more days if they explain why (TDI).
• What to photograph: every affected room, the source of the damage and damaged belongings, before cleanup.
• What the restorer documents: photos, moisture readings or residue notes, a written scope and an itemized estimate.
• Deductible: you pay it. Texas law bars contractors from offering to waive, rebate or absorb it. A contractor also can’t act as your public adjuster (TDI: know the law).
• Living expenses: if covered damage makes the home unlivable, additional living expenses coverage may pay for a hotel and meals (TDI).

Problems with a claim? Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint.

What’s specific to Austin?

• Emergency repair permits. The City of Austin says permits are generally required for repairs after fire and smoke damage, water and plumbing damage, electrical damage and gas line damage. Painting and small drywall repairs are often exempt (City of Austin).
• Electrical inspections. The city runs an emergency electrical inspection line, 512-974-2030, for damage that affects wiring. Austin Energy takes outage reports at 512-322-9100.
• Several gas utilities. Texas Gas Service serves most Austin gas customers. Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy and SiEnergy also serve parts of the city (Railroad Commission of Texas). Check your bill.
• Many renters. About 43% of Austin’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (43.4%, U.S. Census Bureau 2020–2024 estimate). Many households will need their landlord involved (Census QuickFacts).

Frequently asked questions

Related help nearby

• Fire, smoke and water damage help in Austin
• Fire Damage Restoration in Austin
• Water Damage Restoration in Austin
• Flood Damage Cleanup in Austin
• Mold Remediation in Austin
• Smoke Damage Restoration: the full guide
• Soot and smoke cleanup

Last reviewed: October 2026.