When you need it
- Before any cleaning or demolition starts
- When an insurer, property manager or contractor needs an independent scope
- When you need to know what can be cleaned and what must be replaced
Why it matters
The insurer pays for what can be shown
Without a complete photo record and measurements, damage that was removed or cleaned is hard to prove afterwards.
The wrong method makes it worse
Greasy wet-smoke soot and kitchen-fire residue spread deeper into surfaces under normal wet cleaning. Testing first prevents permanent stains.
Hidden risks
Older buildings can contain asbestos, and heat can weaken concrete and steel without visible failure. Both must be checked before demolition.
Our procedure
Complete photo record
Wide, mid and close-up photos of every room, ceiling, wall and floor, named by room so they can be found later.
Measurements and damage sketch
Room sizes and a sketch of the damage zones.
Moisture map and thermal scan
Readings at fixed, photographed measuring points: the baseline for drying.
Soot type identification
Dry soot, wet smoke, protein residue or oily soot. The type decides the cleaning method.
Test patches
Small test cleans confirm the method for each surface before the real work starts.
Decision per material
Clean, seal, replace, test or send for an engineer's assessment, with the reason written down.
Neighbours and building
Neighbouring units, the stairwell and ventilation checked for smoke and soot spread.
Asbestos and structure
In older buildings, materials are surveyed for asbestos before any demolition. Structural warning signs go to a structural engineer.
Damage report and estimate
Findings, damage mechanism, decisions, quantities and photos, plus an itemised estimate by phase.
Soot type decides the method
| Soot type | Looks like | First method |
|---|---|---|
| Dry soot | Powdery; fast, hot fires | HEPA vacuum, dry sponge |
| Wet smoke | Sticky, smears; smouldering plastics | Dry pass first, then degreaser |
| Protein residue | Near-invisible film, strong smell; kitchen fires | Degreaser, repeat cleaning, odour treatment |
| Oil / fuel soot | Dense, greasy, dark | Specialist cleaning agents |
Clean, seal or replace
| Material group | Examples | Decision | How it is confirmed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-porous | Glass, glazed tile, metal, stone worktops | Clean | Rinse check; metal inspected for corrosion |
| Semi-porous | Painted walls, laminate, plastics, lacquered wood | CleanSeal | Smell test after cleaning; shellac primer if odour remains |
| Porous | Plaster, raw wood, insulation, chipboard, textiles | ReplaceSeal | Removed if soaked, charred or deeply smoked |
| Electrical | Wiring, sockets, appliances, electronics | TestReplace | Checked by an electrician or technician, never powered on to test |
| Structure | Load-bearing timber, concrete, steel | Assess | Structural engineer decides |
Equipment
- Camera with consistent photo naming
- Laser distance meter
- Pin and pinless moisture meters, thermo-hygrometer
- Thermal camera
- Test cleaning kit, pH strips
What you receive
- Damage report with photos
- Moisture map
- Clean / seal / replace table per material
- Itemised estimate by phase
Order it on its own
Questions
Do you only assess if you also do the work?
No. The assessment is a standalone service with a fixed scope and a written report.
How long does an assessment take?
A typical apartment takes a few hours on site. The written report follows after that. Larger objects take longer.
Do you check for asbestos yourselves?
We identify where a survey is needed and do not start demolition without it. The survey and any removal are done by qualified, licensed specialists.