Free Fire Recovery Checklists For The Houston Area
Five free, printable checklists that walk you through recovery one step at a time, from the first night to hiring a contractor.
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All 5 Free Checklists
- First 72 Hours After A House Fire Checklist
- Room-By-Room Fire Loss Inventory Checklist
- Insurance Claim Documents Checklist
- Documents To Replace After A Fire Checklist
- Before You Hire A Contractor Checklist
Each checklist is free. Unlock the full list with your email. Then download it as a PDF.
First 72 Hours After A House Fire Checklist
For anyone in the first three days after a fire.
- Everyone is safe and checked for smoke exposure
- A place to stay tonight (Red Cross at redcross.org/get-help or 2-1-1)
- Insurance company called; claim number written down
- Adjuster's name and phone number saved
- Photos and video of every room taken before cleanup
- Home boarded up and roof tarped if needed
- CenterPoint Energy called before power or gas is restored
- Electricity provider and water service paused
- Urgent medicine replaced with your pharmacist
- Pets safe and cared for
- Landlord notified in writing (renters)
- Mail forwarded or held with USPS
- Fire report request started
- Receipts folder or envelope started
- Family, employer and school notified
+ 12 more items in the full checklist
Where should we send your checklist?
Room-By-Room Fire Loss Inventory Checklist
For listing everything you lost for your insurance claim.
- Kitchen: appliances, cookware, dishes, pantry food
- Living room: furniture, TV, electronics, rugs, décor
- Bedrooms: beds, mattresses, dressers, clothing, shoes
- Bathrooms: towels, toiletries, small appliances
- Kids' rooms: furniture, clothing, toys, school items
- Home office: computer, printer, desk, files
- Garage: tools, lawn equipment, bikes, grills
- Closets and storage: seasonal items, luggage, keepsakes
- Jewelry and watches (with photos or appraisals)
- Electronics with model and serial numbers
- Brand, age and purchase place noted for each item
- Replacement cost looked up for each item
- Proof gathered: photos, bank statements, online orders
- A copy of everything sent to your insurer kept
+ 11 more items in the full checklist
Where should we send your checklist?
Insurance Claim Documents Checklist
For organizing everything your insurer may ask for.
- Policy number and a copy of your declarations page
- Claim number and adjuster contact information
- Houston Fire Department incident report
- Photos and video of the damage
- Room-by-room contents inventory
- Receipts for hotels, meals and other extra living costs
- Board-up and emergency repair receipts
- Written repair estimates from licensed contractors
- Mortgage lender contact information
- Proof of loss form, if your insurer requests one, with its deadline
- Notes from every call: date, name, what was said
- Copies of all emails and letters
+ 9 more items in the full checklist
Where should we send your checklist?
Documents To Replace After A Fire Checklist
For replacing IDs and records lost in the fire.
- Driver's license or ID (Texas Department of Public Safety)
- Birth certificates (Texas DSHS Vital Statistics or the Houston Health Department Bureau of Vital Statistics)
- Social Security cards (Social Security Administration, 1-800-772-1213)
- Passports (U.S. Department of State)
- Marriage and divorce records (county clerk)
- Deed and property records (Harris County Clerk)
- Vehicle titles and registration
- Insurance policies (call each insurer)
- Bank cards and checks
- Medical and prescription records
- School and immunization records
- Tax returns (IRS transcripts)
+ 9 more items in the full checklist
Where should we send your checklist?
Before You Hire A Contractor Checklist
For choosing restoration, board-up and repair companies.
- Two or three written estimates received
- Contractor's license checked where required
- Online reviews and complaints checked
- Proof of insurance requested
- Local address and phone number confirmed
- Everything in writing: scope, price, timeline, materials
- Permits handled by the contractor (Houston Permitting Center)
- No large upfront payment
- Never sign over your insurance check
- Payment schedule tied to finished work
- Lien waivers collected with payments
- Final walkthrough before the last payment
+ 9 more items in the full checklist
Where should we send your checklist?
Common Questions
Are the checklists free?
Yes. Enter your email to unlock the full checklist, then print it or save it as a PDF.
Can I use these checklists with my insurance company?
Yes. The inventory and claim documents checklists are built to help you organize what your insurer asks for.