Service 04 · Smoke Restoration

Smoke damage restoration in Los Angeles.

Smoke residue removal, deodorization, HVAC decontamination. Even when there was no fire on your property, smoke damage is real — and treatable. Call (818) 486-6546, 24/7.

CSLB #1078518
IICRC S700 Certified
24/7 Emergency Dispatch
55-Minute Response Target

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★ 5.0 from 108+ Google reviews · 200+ jobs completed since 2019 · Woodland Hills HQ · CSLB #1078518 · B-General + HAZ Certified

Had an actual fire? See Fire Damage Restoration — that page covers fire scenarios, with smoke damage handled as part of the fire job. This page focuses on smoke damage as a standalone restoration service.

Section 01 · Smoke without fire

Smoke is real damage — even without fire.

Most people think smoke damage only happens during a fire. The reality: smoke is one of the most common restoration calls we get, and most involve no fire on the affected property.

Smoke is a complex chemical mixture — carbon particles, acids, aldehydes, ketones, VOCs. When it contacts surfaces, those chemicals embed into porous materials (drywall, fabric, upholstery, carpet, wood). Without proper restoration, the embedded residue keeps releasing odor and corroding metal for months or years.

Surface residue

Visible film on walls, ceilings, and hard surfaces. Cleanable with the right approach for the residue type.

Odor saturation

Embedded smell that returns whenever humidity or temperature changes activate the residue. Surface cleaning alone won’t fix it — it needs deodorization.

HVAC contamination

Smoke particles draw into the air system and settle on coils and ductwork. Every time the HVAC runs, particles re-circulate. The most overlooked smoke damage.

If you smell smoke when you walk in, or the smell returns when the AC turns on, your property has smoke damage that needs restoration.

Section 02 · Residue types

Different smoke, different treatment.

Smoke from different sources leaves different chemical residues. The wrong cleaning approach can permanently set residue into materials. We identify the type before treatment.

Dry smoke

Source: Fast-burning, high-heat fires (paper, wood, structural)
Characteristics: Dry, powdery, gray/black; relatively easy off non-porous surfaces
Treatment: HEPA vacuuming, dry-sponge cleaning, light wet cleaning

Wet smoke

Source: Slow-burning, low-heat fires (plastics, rubber, foam)
Characteristics: Sticky, smeary, dark brown/black; hard to remove without smearing
Treatment: Solvent-based cleaning, multiple passes, smear-prevention technique

Protein smoke

Source: Burning food (kitchen / range incidents)
Characteristics: Nearly invisible film, strong odor, yellow-brown tint on light surfaces
Treatment: Enzymatic agents, targeted deodorization, sealing of porous materials

Cigarette & tobacco

Source: Long-term indoor tobacco use
Characteristics: Yellow-brown tar film on all surfaces; odor persists for years
Treatment: Tar-cutting agents, multiple deodorization passes, sealing, mandatory HVAC cleaning

Wildfire smoke

Source: Wildfires within several miles of the property
Characteristics: Mixed wood, vegetation, plastics, vehicle materials, asphalt; ash often present
Treatment: Surface + ash removal, critical HVAC decontamination, mixed-source deodorization

Fuel oil soot

Source: Furnace puffback, oil-burner malfunction
Characteristics: Heavy, oily, dark, deeply embedded; spreads through HVAC distribution
Treatment: Solvent-based cleaning, sealing of affected surfaces, mandatory HVAC cleaning

Why type identification matters: dry methods on wet smoke spread the residue and stain permanently; wet methods on dry smoke drive particles deeper; generic cleaning on protein smoke leaves the odor source untreated. We identify the residue first, then deploy the right approach.

Section 03 · Scenarios

The smoke calls we get most.

Seven situations cover most standalone smoke work. The protocol stays IICRC S700 — the residue and scope change with the source.

Wildfire smoke, no direct fire

Property didn’t burn but smoke penetrated every gap during a nearby wildfire. Common in foothill and canyon neighborhoods after seasonal fires. Often Class 1–2.

Specific issue

Significant HVAC contamination — wildfire smoke embeds most aggressively in the air system.

Kitchen smoke, no structural damage

A cooking incident produced significant smoke but no fire damage — grease flare-ups, burned food, broiler accidents.

Specific issue

Protein smoke is hardest to spot visually but the most aggressive in odor saturation.

Neighbor’s house fire

Your property takes smoke damage from the next-door fire even though no flames reached you. Insurance involves your policy plus their liability.

Specific issue

Documentation must clearly attribute the damage to the neighbor’s incident.

Long-term cigarette smoke

A property previously occupied by heavy smokers — visible yellowing on walls and ceilings, persistent odor. Common in real estate and rental turnovers.

Specific issue

Odor survives surface cleaning because tar is deeply embedded in porous materials.

Cannabis smoke

Long-term indoor cannabis use leaves residue similar to cigarette smoke with a distinct chemical profile. Increasingly common in California rentals.

Specific issue

Same treatment protocols as tobacco smoke — cleaning, deodorization, sealing.

Vehicle smoke from a garage

An engine fire, exhaust issue, or vehicle electrical fire produces smoke in the attached garage that migrates into the residence.

Specific issue

Petroleum-based smoke residues require specific cleaning agents.

Industrial / commercial exposure

Property near an industrial fire, refinery incident, or major commercial fire. Wide-area smoke can affect entire neighborhoods.

Specific issue

Often requires coordinated multi-property restoration.

Different smoke situation?

If you smell smoke and don’t see your scenario here, it’s still treatable. Tell us the source and we’ll identify the residue and scope it honestly. Call (818) 486-6546 or book a free assessment.

Section 04 · Wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is not house-fire smoke.

When a wildfire burns nearby, smoke pushes into intact homes through every gap and the HVAC return — carrying combustion products from burned plastics, treated lumber, lead paint, asbestos siding, vehicle batteries, and electronics. We treat every wildfire smoke job as hazmat-adjacent: HAZWOPER-trained crews, HEPA containment, and third-party clearance testing (we coordinate independent hygienists — we don't test or inspect ourselves).

Palisades Fire

Jan 7, 2025

Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Brentwood, Topanga. Homes that survived the burn still pulled days of toxic smoke through HVAC returns.

Eaton Fire

Jan 7, 2025

Altadena, Pasadena. USC research notes more than 70% of homes in the footprint were built before 1979 — the lead-paint era.

Woolsey Fire

Nov 2018

Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills. Homes that "smelled fine" months later failed swab tests — drapery, attic insulation, and HVAC stayed contaminated.

Thomas Fire

Dec 2017

Ventura, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Camarillo blanketed with ash for weeks. We still get calls on Thomas-era residue in attics and crawlspaces.

Cleaning alone often isn't enough. An Eaton-area resident report (released Nov 6, 2025 through Rep. Judy Chu's office) documented self-submitted homes where most had already been professionally cleaned — yet the majority still tested for lead above the EPA standard. We document, re-clean, and coordinate independent clearance testing through third-party hygienists — so the home isn't just cleaned, it's verified.

70%+Eaton-footprint homes built pre-1979 (USC) — lead-paint era

63%self-submitted Eaton homes still over the EPA lead standard after professional cleaning

~60×average lead level vs. the EPA rule in that resident report

Sources EPA — Wildfire Smoke CDPH — Wildfire Ash Safety PubMed — wood-smoke toxicology (PMC6624307)

Section 05 · Hazmat specialty

The contaminants standard cleaning leaves behind.

Wildfire and older-home smoke jobs aren't just soot. Three hazards drive how we contain, clean, and clear a property — and why we follow IICRC S700 and coordinate independent third-party hygienists for any required testing rather than testing ourselves.

Lead-based paint

Pre-1979 housing

Lead paint was common in homes built before 1979. Fire heat and cleaning can disturb it into dust. We contain, HEPA-clean, and clear — with independent lead testing where needed.

Asbestos

Drywall · flooring · insulation

Older drywall, flooring, and insulation can contain asbestos. Disturbing it without containment releases fibers. Suspect materials are isolated and handled under hazmat protocol.

Lithium-ion debris

EV / scooter / e-bike

Wildfire debris includes lithium-ion batteries from vehicles and electronics. EPA Phase-1 removal across the Palisades and Eaton burn zones (completed Feb 26, 2025) cleared more than 1,000 lithium-ion batteries plus asbestos, gas cylinders, fuels, and medical waste.

Our crews are HAZWOPER-trained and work under HEPA negative-air containment. We follow ANSI/IICRC S700:2025 and the canonical scope: we don't perform testing or inspection — independent third-party hygienists handle any required clearance testing. CSLB #1078518 · IICRC Certified · Est. 2019 · 55-minute response target across LA, Ventura & Orange County.

Section 06 · How we restore

Eleven steps, per IICRC S700.

Every job follows the same path, same licensed crew start to finish — residue identification through final odor confirmation.

Step 01

Emergency Call + Dispatch

24/7 line answered immediately. We ask about smoke source, exposure duration, current odor severity, HVAC status, and any health concerns.

Step 02

On-Site Assessment

Visual assessment of affected and adjacent areas to scope the restoration work. Source identification. Residue classification per IICRC S700. White-sponge testing to gauge embedded vs. surface damage. Written scope.

Step 03

Third-Party Air Quality Testing

For severe exposure or health concerns, we coordinate with third-party industrial hygienists for air-quality testing. We don’t perform testing ourselves — that’s a separate specialty.

Step 04

Insurance + Authorization

With your written authorization, we coordinate documentation with your carrier. Sudden smoke events are typically covered; long-term gradual exposure often is not.

Step 05

Content Pack-Out

For severe smoke damage, contents are removed for off-site cleaning. Inventory documented with photo records.

Step 06

Surface Cleaning

Residue type determines approach — HEPA for dry, solvent for wet, enzymatic for protein, tar-cutting for cigarette. Specific to what we identified.

Step 07

Deodorization

Multi-stage: source removal first, then thermal fogging, ozone, hydroxyl, or encapsulation sealing — matched to the smoke and the materials.

Step 08

HVAC Decontamination

Critical for smoke. Air handler cleaning, duct cleaning, filter replacement. We coordinate HVAC contractors for major system cleaning.

Step 09

Sealing

For residue that can’t be fully removed from porous materials, sealing primers stop it from off-gassing. Followed by paint.

Step 10

Reconstruction

Drywall replacement, paint, flooring — when surface restoration isn’t enough. Same licensed B-General team. No handoff.

Step 11

Final Walkthrough

Re-inhabit only after odor confirmation. Some clients request third-party air-quality testing as final clearance — we coordinate hygienists when asked.

Start to finish

Questions about the process?

Same project manager through every step. Call (818) 486-6546.

Section 07 · The deodorization science

Why surface cleaning alone doesn’t remove odor.

Smoke odor isn’t on the surface — it’s embedded in porous materials. Drywall, ceiling texture, carpet, upholstery, wood, even some paint absorb smoke chemicals.

Without addressing the embedded source, surface cleaning briefly masks the smell — then it returns. Real deodorization addresses the source, not the symptom.

Thermal fogging

Heated deodorizing agents become fog particles that penetrate porous materials, neutralizing odor where it’s embedded. Effective for wet and protein smoke. Property must be unoccupied during treatment.

Ozone treatment

Ozone generators produce O₃ that oxidizes odor molecules at the chemical level. Effective for severe cigarette smoke and persistent odors. Requires a fully unoccupied property — ozone is harmful to breathe.

Hydroxyl generators

Produce hydroxyl radicals (less aggressive than ozone) that neutralize odor. Safe for occupied properties — slower than ozone but no evacuation needed. Effective for moderate smoke damage.

Encapsulation sealing

When residue can’t be fully removed from porous materials, sealing primers (BIN, Kilz Original, or equivalent) stop it from off-gassing. A permanent solution when removal isn’t possible.

Why we sequence multiple technologies: severe smoke rarely responds to one treatment. Typical protocol: surface cleaning first, thermal fogging for porous materials, ozone or hydroxyl for residual odor, sealing for what can’t be fully restored. Sequence matters — sealing before removing residue traps the odor source inside the wall permanently.

Section 08 · HVAC decontamination

HVAC is where smoke damage hides.

The single most overlooked aspect of smoke restoration. Particles draw into the return air system, settle on the coil, line the ductwork, embed in the filter — then re-circulate every time the system runs.

Surface cleaning becomes pointless if the air system keeps re-introducing residue. HVAC decontamination is part of every smoke restoration scope we write.

Filter replacement

Always the first step. Smoke-saturated filters re-introduce odor constantly.

Air handler cleaning

Coil cleaning, drain-pan disinfection, blower-wheel cleaning. Specialized equipment required.

Duct cleaning

Mechanical agitation + HEPA vacuum extraction throughout the duct system. We coordinate HVAC specialists for major duct cleaning.

UV sterilization

When applicable, UV lights at the air handler prevent future microbial growth and help with persistent odor.

Filter + system disinfection

Fresh filter, EPA-registered HVAC disinfectant treatment, and verification.

Mandatory

Severe smoke, wildfire smoke exposure, long-term cigarette smoke, fuel-oil residue, or any case where the smell returns when the HVAC operates.

Recommended

Moderate smoke damage where occupants are sensitive to odor or have respiratory conditions.

Optional

Minor surface smoke damage with no HVAC odor indication. We assess HVAC contamination on every scope.

Section 09 · Results

Real smoke restoration jobs.

Before & after photos from real jobs, added as client-permission photos are gathered.

Before / After · coming soon

Real job photos coming soon — each smoke restoration follows IICRC S700 protocols with residue identification and targeted treatment. Call (818) 486-6546 to discuss your situation.

Section 10 · What it costs

What smoke damage restoration actually costs.

Honest ranges by severity. Most clients pay only their deductible — we bill the carrier directly. The 2024 U.S. national average for fire/smoke restoration was about $12,900; LA-area labor and disposal typically run above the national midpoint.

Light

$1,500 – $5,000

Single room / area cleaning

Scope Surface clean, light residue
HVAC None / minimal

Moderate

$5,000 – $25,000

Whole-home + HVAC

Scope Multi-room, content cleaning
HVAC Full decontamination

Severe

$25,000 – $100,000+

Structural + reconstruction

Scope Wildfire smoke, content pack-out
Rebuild In-house CSLB Class B

Ranges are estimates. Actual cost depends on square footage, residue type (protein and wet smoke are slower), HVAC contamination, presence of lead/asbestos/lithium-ion residue, firefighting-water and resulting mold, content pack-out volume, and whether reconstruction is needed. Most sudden smoke events — including wildfire smoke that drifted into a home that didn't burn — are covered by standard California homeowners policies. We document the loss, bill your insurer directly, and most clients pay only their deductible. CSLB #1078518 · Est. 2019.

Section 11 · Insurance

How insurance works for smoke damage.

Smoke coverage is more variable than fire or water — it turns on the source of the smoke. Here’s the real picture.

Sudden smoke eventUsually covered

Cooking incident, electrical event, neighbor’s fire, wildfire smoke exposure.

Gradual smoke exposureVaries

Long-term cigarette smoke from previous tenants/owners may fall under wear-and-tear exclusions.

Wildfire smoke, no fire damageUsually covered

Standard homeowner’s typically covers wildfire smoke within reasonable proximity.

Industrial smoke exposureLiability

Often a liability claim against the responsible party, plus your insurer for emergency mitigation.

Our process with insurance for smoke jobs

You sign a Limited Authorization to Repair allowing us to coordinate with your carrier
We document everything per IICRC S700 — residue identification and photos
We submit the scope to your adjuster
Adjuster reviews, may request a site visit (often expedited for smoke jobs — they’re time-sensitive)
Once approved, we proceed with the work
We invoice the carrier directly with your written authorization
You typically pay only your deductible

We coordinate with every major California carrier

State Farm Allstate Farmers USAA AAA Liberty Mutual Travelers Mercury Nationwide Progressive Safeco MetLife Hartford Chubb CSAA Pacific Specialty Wawanesa Don’t see your carrier? Call (818) 486-6546 →

Section 12 · Where we restore

Three counties, one dispatch.

We dispatch from Woodland Hills across LA, Ventura, and Orange Counties — including wildfire-prone foothill and canyon neighborhoods. Full coverage in all three (130+ cities).

Los Angeles County

Woodland Hills · Tarzana · Encino · Calabasas · Hidden Hills · Bell Canyon · West Hills · Chatsworth · Sherman Oaks · Studio City · Beverly Hills · Brentwood · Pacific Palisades · Malibu · Topanga · Santa Monica · Pasadena · Altadena · Glendale · Burbank · Sylmar · Santa Clarita · Stevenson Ranch

Ventura County

Thousand Oaks · Westlake Village · Newbury Park · Camarillo · Oxnard · Ventura · Ojai · Santa Paula · Fillmore · Simi Valley · Moorpark

Orange County

Anaheim · Irvine · Newport Beach · Costa Mesa · Huntington Beach · Santa Ana · Yorba Linda

City pages

Local response for smoke damage across LA, Ventura & Orange County

Dedicated city pages with the fastest local response and the city-specific patterns we see most often. More cities as we expand.

Woodland Hills →

HQ — 30-minute response across the Valley

Smoke restoration in Woodland Hills →

View all service areas →

Section 13 · Common questions

Common questions about smoke damage.

The questions we hear most. For more, see the full FAQ.

How fast can you arrive?

Our target on-site response is under 55 minutes anywhere in our service area. Faster response means easier restoration — smoke residue becomes more difficult to remove the longer it sits and embeds.

My property didn’t have a fire, just smoke from somewhere else. Will insurance cover this?

Often yes. Sudden smoke events (wildfire smoke, a neighbor’s fire, accidental indoor smoke) are typically covered under standard homeowner’s policies. Long-term gradual exposure (years of cigarette smoke from previous occupants) may have coverage limitations. We coordinate with your carrier to determine coverage on your specific situation. CSLB #1078518.

How long does smoke damage restoration take?

Light surface smoke (Class 1): 1–3 days. Moderate smoke with HVAC contamination: 1–2 weeks. Severe smoke with content pack-out and sealing: 2–6 weeks. Combined with reconstruction if needed: longer. We give you a realistic timeline on the first assessment.

Do I need to leave my property during smoke restoration?

Sometimes. Thermal fogging and ozone treatments require an unoccupied property during application. Hydroxyl generators allow occupancy. We work around your schedule when occupancy must continue.

Why does the smell come back when my AC turns on?

HVAC contamination. Smoke particles drew into the air system during the smoke event and settled on coils and inside ductwork. Every time the HVAC operates, particles re-aerosolize and circulate. Surface cleaning alone doesn’t address this — HVAC decontamination is required.

Can you restore a property previously occupied by heavy smokers?

Yes. Long-term cigarette smoke is one of the hardest scenarios because residue is deeply embedded in porous materials. Typical scope: aggressive tar-cutting cleaning, multiple deodorization passes, HVAC cleaning, and often sealing of drywall and ceiling textures before repainting. Sellers often request it before listing; new owners often request it after closing.

How does smoke damage from a wildfire differ from a structure fire?

A structure fire leaves soot residue from your own building materials and contents — dry, wet, protein, or fuel-oil residue, each cleaned a specific way. Wildfire smoke is different: it enters an intact home and carries combustion products from burned plastics, treated lumber, lead paint, asbestos siding, vehicle batteries, and electronics. We treat wildfire jobs as hazmat-adjacent — HAZWOPER-trained crews, HEPA negative-air containment, and independent third-party clearance testing — because standard duster cleaning leaves those contaminants behind.

What does smoke damage restoration cost?

Light surface jobs (single room, no HVAC) run $1,500–$5,000. Moderate multi-room work with HVAC decontamination and content cleaning runs $5,000–$25,000. Severe whole-structure wildfire smoke with reconstruction runs $25,000–$100,000+. The 2024 U.S. national average was about $12,900. The biggest cost drivers are residue type, HVAC contamination, hazmat (lead/asbestos/lithium-ion), and whether reconstruction is needed. We bill insurance directly and most clients pay only their deductible.

Do you handle homes affected by the Palisades or Eaton fires?

Yes. We have active and completed work in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, Altadena, Pasadena, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, and Agoura Hills from the recent fires. Wildfire smoke requires hazmat-aware containment, HEPA filtration, and independent clearance testing through third-party hygienists — many Eaton-area homes still tested over the EPA lead standard even after professional cleaning, so we document, re-clean, and coordinate independent re-testing until the home clears. We don’t test or inspect ourselves — independent hygienists handle clearance.

What’s the difference between thermal fogging, ozone, and hydroxyl deodorization?

Thermal fogging vaporizes a heated deodorizer that follows the exact paths the smoke took, penetrating cracks and porous materials — the property must be unoccupied during treatment. Hydroxyl generators use UV light to create radicals that break down odor molecules and are safe to run with occupants in place. Ozone oxidizes odor molecules and is highly effective on heavy/protein odors, but it’s toxic — full evacuation of people, pets, and live plants is required. IICRC S700 guidance reserves ozone for the cases that need it; we match the method to the job.

How much can a contractor ask for upfront in California?

Under California law, on a home-improvement contract over $10,000 a contractor cannot collect more than 10% of the total or $1,000 — whichever is less — as a down payment. Anyone asking for more is breaking the law. You can verify any contractor (including us — CSLB #1078518) at the CSLB license-lookup. We bill your insurer directly so you’re not floating tens of thousands of dollars.

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Section 14 · Ready when you need us

Smoke damage doesn’t air out. We restore it.

Smoke event? Call now.

24/7 dispatch across LA, Ventura, and Orange Counties.

(818) 486-6546

Lingering smoke smell? Book assessment.

Free on-site assessment with residue identification and a written scope.