How Much Does Smoke Remediation Cost?

Smoke remediation costs an average of $3,000, but prices vary widely depending on the underlying cause, the type of smoke damage, and the methods required for remediation. You could pay as little as $200 to remove minor cigarette smoke odors or as much as $12,000 for more extensive services after a house fire.

Smoke Remediation Cost Factors

Smoke remediation costs vary so much because a few key factors can dramatically affect your pricing.

Extent of the Damage

The extent of the smoke damage is the most significant cost factor to consider. Removing smoke odors from a single room costs between $200 and $1,200. If a single room was dedicated to smoking, you’re looking at a maximum of $1,200 to remove smoke odors and stains. If you have smoke damage from a house fire or wildfire that affected your entire home, that maximum could easily exceed $10,000.

Type of Treatment

There are many different ways to get rid of smoke odors, soot stains, and other smoke damage, and the methods your professional uses will impact​​ your smoke restoration costs. You’ll see the highest costs for ozone smoke removal and thermal fogging have the highest costs, while deodorizing can be the most affordable treatment option.

It’s best to have a professional decide which services are right for your home, as the best approach often includes multiple services. The table below can give you an idea of pricing based on what you believe you’ll need.

Source of the Smoke Damage

The source of the smoke damage affects both the remediation methods your professional uses and the extent of the work you’ll need. For example, cigarette smoke can leave stains and pervasive odors, but it often has much less of an impact on your home’s interior than smoke from a major house fire, so the remediation efforts will be less extensive and cost you less overall.

HVAC Cleaning and Testing

If you have a heating or cooling system that uses ductwork, it’s a good idea to include HVAC duct cleaning in your remediation to prevent the odors and damage from persisting and spreading to other areas of your home. HVAC duct cleaning costs an average of $390, and prices can range from $150 to $800.

Timeline

How quickly you need services will play a small role in your smoke remediation costs. If you have smoke damage from a house fire, wildfire, or some other unexpected emergency, you’ll pay a bit more for rush services to get the job done quickly. Most contractors will charge 10% to 15% more for emergency services, especially if you need the work done on a weekend or holiday.

Smoke Remediation Ongoing Costs

While you’re budgeting for your initial smoke remediation service, consider the following ongoing costs, which can add to your total over time if the initial service doesn’t work.

Routine Deodorization Treatments

Ongoing deodorization treatments can help get rid of lingering odors, especially from cigarette smoke, that are reduced but not fully eliminated during the initial treatment. If you have pervasive smoke damage from years of indoor smoking, you should plan on one to two additional treatments over the following year. These will each cost between $200 and $600.

Air Purification

Air purification is another great way to reduce the lingering effects of smoke damage, as it can pull contaminants and odors out of the air and reduce the risk of them spreading to other parts of your home. The average cost to install a whole-home air purification system is $2,600.

For the most accurate budgeting, account for $50 per year in running costs and $20 to $40 per year for filter replacements. Ongoing maintenance and repairs can add to that cost on an as-needed basis.

Relocation Costs

In some cases, it’s not safe to live in a house with smoke damage if the issue is extreme enough, so you may need to pay for alternative living costs. Your homeowner’s insurance will typically cover this, at least for some time, but if that coverage ever runs out, you may need to pay out of pocket. Prices for alternative housing vary widely depending on where you live and can fall anywhere between $500 and $3,000 per month.

DIY Smoke Remediation vs. Hiring a Pro

It’s possible to DIY some smoke remediation efforts, like performing deep cleans, using deodorizers on furniture and carpeting, and throwing away items that are smoke damaged. You can also paint and seal walls and do minor wall and ceiling repairs yourself to remove damaged sections if you have experience working with drywall.

For more extensive remediation, including thermal fogging, ozone smoke removal, and duct cleaning, you should always call in a smoke restoration company near you to do the work. Not only will an experienced pro be able to do a more thorough service, but they’ll also have specialized equipment that can make the job go more quickly and keep everyone safe throughout the smoke damage restoration process. Working with smoke-damaged materials, especially after a house fire or wildfire, can be dangerous, so hiring a pro will also help keep you and your family safe.

Cost of Common Smoke Remediation Add-Ons

If your smoke damage was a result of a house fire, the likelihood is that you’ll need additional repairs related to the fire damage. In the case of a minor house fire, you might need to consider the cost to remediate water damage or damage from fire extinguisher chemicals, which can add between $1,000 and $6,000 to your total. In the case of a major house fire, you’ll see those same remediation costs, but you’ll also have additional repairs and build-back that can easily climb over $20,000.

Below are some common repair items you may need, along with pricing.

• Bathroom remodel cost: $6,600–$17,600

• HVAC repair cost: $130–$2,000

• Kitchen remodel cost: $14,600–$41,500

• Flooring repair cost: $2–$30 per sq. ft.

• Cost to replace drywall: $1.50–$3 per sq. ft.

• Cost to replace windows: $300–$2,500 per window

• Roof repair cost: $400–$1,900

• Structural repair cost: $2,000–$8,500

How to Save Money On Smoke Restoration Costs

Smoke remediation can be an expensive undertaking, sometimes costing as much as $12,000. There are a few things you can do to help keep costs down.

• DIY what you can. Some smoke remediation projects are relatively easy to do yourself, like painting and sealing stained walls, deep cleaning carpets, and removing smoke smells from wood furniture. Consider doing these projects yourself if it’s safe to do so to keep labor costs down.

• Have a professional create a plan of action. Getting rid of smoke stains and odors is challenging, so having a professional decide what services you need is the best course of action for a permanent resolution.

• Go above and beyond. To that same point, doing a bit more than what you think you need is usually a good idea. Smoke odors are pervasive, and while up-front costs will be higher for more extensive services, you’ll spend less on trip fees and service fees getting everything done at once rather than doing the minimum and seeing if it solves the issue.

• Contact your insurance company first. If your smoke damage is a result of a wildfire or house fire, contact your insurance company before getting estimates and hiring a smoke remediation company. Homeowner’s insurance will likely cover all of the cost or a good portion of it.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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