Start with safety and authority.
If the fire is active or anyone is in danger, call 911. Do not enter until fire authorities say the property is safe. Restoration questions come after the emergency response, and structural or utility restrictions should remain part of the plan.
Build the event timeline.
Record the room of origin, approximate timing, what burned, doors or windows that were open, HVAC status, which spaces responders entered, where water was applied, and what instructions were provided. A timeline helps explain how smoke, heat, and water may have moved.
Map connected areas.
List rooms above, below, beside, and connected through hallways, stairwells, attics, wall openings, chases, or mechanical systems. Note visible residue, odor, wetness, discoloration, blistering, debris, and changes to finishes without assuming every observation has the same cause.
Separate material groups.
Framing, drywall, insulation, masonry, metal, glass, painted finishes, cabinets, flooring, textiles, electronics, documents, and furniture do not respond identically. Ask how the proposed approach changes by material and how the company distinguishes cleaning, removal, drying, testing, and replacement decisions.
Ask for the sequence in plain language.
A proposed plan should explain what happens first, what depends on access or evaluation, how clean and affected areas are managed, when contents move, how moisture is addressed, and how odor work relates to residue removal. Uncertainty is acceptable when it is named and explained.