Fire Job

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A1cbr

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I wanted to find out how you guys would bid a fire job. From what I have seen it appears that the fire was in one room but there is smoke damage throught out the house. This house built I say in the 60's. There are maybe 8 circuits in this house. It appears the receptacles are in good condition, but the I am planning on replacing the existing light circuits. Their are 4 rooms two baths and a small kitchen. I figure it would take no more than 2 1/2 days to rewire and repair all the damage. I have to give an estimate on this one. There are 4 GFI's, 15 single pole switches, 15 Rec, 6 TV jacks and then a couple of Phone jacks. I will also hang the lights that the customer are getting as well. I figure Materials would run about 500.00. The fire was contained inside the house it did not get into the attic. I am also one person operation. Your advice is welcomed.
 
No it does not seem to be any water damage, It appears the only damage is really in one room. Their is signs that shows their was alot of heat. Light fixtures have melted plastic.
 
T&M. There may be some damage that you are not aware of, and because you would be the last one to touch it, anything that goes wrong will fall on you. T&M and be picky, if it looks bad change it. But be honest. I have done a number of them and it is very dirty work. But I was always honest with the customer and showed them why I was replacing the items. If they can see the damage for themselves then they feel more comfortable with you and your expertise.
 
From the consumer side, I would not expect that you could give me a fixed price for something like this. I don't see how you can price something you can't see until you get into it. T&M.

Now a gut job, that I would expect a fixed price.
 
I do quite a bit of fire work. A careful visual check will show you what all was burned and will need replaced. If something "might" need replaced in your visual estimation, go ahead and figure on replacing it. Don't forget about phone and cable. The biggest thing that will bite you isn't contained in that burned up room. Find out how much, if any, of the rest of the dwelling they'll want brought up to 2005 NEC. I've done fire work in just one or two rooms where I had to bring the rest of the dwelling's electrical into compliance... satisfy 6/12 rule, front and back exterior recs, 2 kitchen small appliance recs, bath circuits with gfci's, afci bedrooms, 4 wire for range and dryer, etc. That's the kind of stuff that will bite you.
 
fire

fire

I would only do this type of job for T&M, have run into this type when the insurance company required the entire dwelling meg'd out with written documentation. I might go as far as to give breakdown of what's included, exclusions w/ hourly rate and % of material mark-up, plus cost of permit.
 
I don't have any trouble with doing a bid on this sort of work. Just spell out what you're going to do. If anybody wants anything else, it's just a change order. It's not that big of a deal. Do your proposal on your terms and not theirs, and don't worry.
 
A1cbr said:
No it does not seem to be any water damage, It appears the only damage is really in one room. Their is signs that shows their was alot of heat. Light fixtures have melted plastic.
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In that case, you really need to get up in the attic or wherever and find out how extensive the heat was everywhere. One of the things I've seen doing structural walkthroughs in New Orleans is previously repaired fire damage where the damage was more extensive than the original repair person assumed.

Paper doesn't ignite until 451F and flashover for wood is higher still. By that time insulation has long since been damaged, even if there is no sign of structural damage. If the fire penetrated the ceiling it's possible that hot gasses had filled the attic, especially near any ventillation areas and, of course, along the ridge or other high points.
 
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