🔥 Structural fire damage to your home or business? Call (480) 204-9035 — RCS Builders responds 24/7 across Greater Phoenix
Structural Fire Damage Specialists
24/7 Emergency Response
Fire
Damaged the
Structure. We
Assess Every Inch and
Rebuild It Right.
Structural fire damage is the most serious and most consequential damage a building can sustain. When fire reaches the framing — wall studs, roof rafters, floor joists, load-bearing assemblies — the integrity of the entire structure is in question. You cannot see structural fire damage from the surface. Char that appears superficial on the outside of a framing member can mean the interior fiber is compromised. A wall that is still standing after a fire may be carrying load on members that have lost significant structural capacity. Assessing structural fire damage correctly — and rebuilding it to current code — requires a licensed general contractor with fire damage restoration experience. RCS Builders is both. We assess every structural member, document every compromised component, coordinate engineering where required, and rebuild your structure completely — from framing through final finishes. One call. Done right.
IICRC Certified • Xactimate Estimating • Licensed & Insured • 30+ Years in the Valley • amily Owned Since 1994
500°F
Temperature at Which Wood Framing Begins Losing Structural Capacity
1,100°F
Temperature at Which Steel Connections Fail
Hidden
Where Most Structural Fire Damage Lives — Inside the Assembly
Permit
Required for All Structural Fire Damage Repair in Arizona
1
Licensed GC Who Handles Cleanup and Rebuild — RCS Builders
⚠️ A Structure That Is Still Standing After a Fire Is Not Necessarily Safe to Occupy
One of the most dangerous assumptions after a fire is that a building is structurally sound because it did not collapse. Fire compromises structural members in ways that are not visible from the surface — wood framing loses structural capacity well before it chars through, steel members lose load-bearing capacity at temperatures reached in residential fires, and connections between structural members fail from heat exposure before any visible damage appears at the surface. In Phoenix, where homes are built on slab foundations with wood frame construction that provides little compartmentalization, fire can compromise structural integrity across a significant portion of the structure in a short period. Do not occupy a fire-damaged structure until it has been assessed by a licensed general contractor. Do not allow anyone to enter a fire-damaged structure until structural safety has been confirmed. The building that is still standing may not be safe to stand in.
How Fire Compromises Structure
How Fire Damages Structural Systems — Every Failure Type We Assess and Repair
Structural fire damage is not a single event — it is a series of progressive failures across multiple structural systems simultaneously. Here is every failure type we assess and repair across Phoenix homes and commercial buildings.
01
Wood Framing — Char Depth & Residual Capacity
Wood framing loses structural capacity as it chars — but the relationship between visible char depth and remaining load capacity is not linear and cannot be assessed visually. A stud with 1/4-inch of char may retain adequate load capacity. The same stud with 1/2-inch of char at the same location may not. Structural assessment of fire-damaged wood framing requires physical probing, char depth measurement, and engineering evaluation of remaining section capacity — not visual inspection alone. We assess every fire-affected framing member individually and document every replacement decision.
Cannot Be Assessed Visually
02
Load-Bearing Wall Damage
Load-bearing walls that sustain fire damage require the most careful structural assessment of any residential fire damage scenario. A compromised load-bearing wall that continues to carry roof and floor load is a collapse risk. Before any demolition of a fire-damaged load-bearing wall begins, temporary shoring must be installed to transfer load. We install temporary shoring before any load-bearing wall demolition — this is not optional and it is not something every contractor gets right.
Shoring Required · Critical Step
03
Roof Framing — Rafters, Trusses & Ridge
Roof framing that sustains fire damage — rafters, trusses, ridge board, and sheathing — must be assessed before any determination of repair versus replacement is made. Fire-damaged roof trusses are particularly complex — trusses are engineered systems where damage to any individual member affects the load distribution of the entire truss. Damaged trusses typically require full replacement rather than repair. Roof framing assessment requires access from inside the attic — not inspection from below the ceiling.
Truss Replacement Common
04
Floor Joist & Subfloor Damage
Fire events that occur above a crawl space or above a lower floor send heat and flame into floor joist assemblies — compromising the structural members that support the floor above. Fire-damaged floor joists and subfloor sheathing must be assessed for remaining load capacity and replaced where compromised. This structural layer is hidden between floors and requires access from below for full assessment.
Hidden Between Floors
05
Structural Connections — Hangers, Hardware & Fasteners
Metal structural hardware — joist hangers, truss clips, hurricane straps, and hold-down anchors — lose load capacity at temperatures regularly reached in residential fires. Metal connectors that have been exposed to fire temperatures must be replaced regardless of visual appearance — a connector that looks intact may have lost its rated capacity from heat exposure. All structural hardware in fire-affected assemblies is replaced as a standard component of structural fire repair.
Replace All Hardware
06
Masonry & CMU Wall Damage
Masonry walls — concrete block, brick, and CMU — sustain fire damage through thermal shock, mortar joint failure, and spalling of the masonry units themselves. Masonry that has been through a fire event may appear intact while the mortar joints have failed and the wall has lost its structural integrity. Masonry fire damage assessment requires probing of mortar joints, testing of individual units, and engineering evaluation of load capacity in affected sections.
Engineering Required
07
Steel Framing & Connection Failure
Commercial buildings and some residential structures use steel framing — and steel loses structural capacity significantly at temperatures reached in building fires. Steel does not burn, but it softens and deflects under load at fire temperatures — permanently deforming and losing rated load capacity in the process. Fire-damaged steel members must be assessed by a structural engineer before any determination of repair versus replacement. Visible straightness is not a reliable indicator of retained load capacity in fire-exposed steel.
Engineering Required · Commercial
08
Foundation & Slab Exposure
Concrete slab foundations and stem walls that sustain direct fire exposure — from burning material on the slab surface or from structural collapse — can experience thermal cracking, spalling, and rebar corrosion initiation that compromises long-term foundation integrity. Foundation fire damage assessment requires physical inspection, crack mapping, and in significant events, engineering evaluation of affected sections before rebuild begins on top of the foundation.
Assessment Required
Hidden Structural Damage
Where Structural Fire Damage Hides — Why Every Cavity Must Be Opened Before Rebuild
Structural fire damage is almost never fully visible from the surface. Here is where hidden structural damage lives — and why every assessment includes demolition to access the structure before any rebuild decision is made.
1
Inside Wall Assemblies — Behind Finished Surfaces
The finished drywall surface of a wall that sustained fire exposure tells only a partial story about the structural condition of the framing inside. Char depth on studs and plates, connection failure at top and bottom plates, and insulation loss all occur inside the wall cavity — invisible from either finished surface. Every wall in the fire-affected area must be opened and every framing member assessed before any rebuild begins.
2
Inside Roof Assemblies — Above the Ceiling
Roof framing damage — rafter char, truss damage, sheathing degradation — lives above the finished ceiling surface. A ceiling that appears intact from below may have fire-damaged rafters above it that have lost structural capacity. Attic access and full attic inspection of all framing in the fire-affected area is a required component of every structural fire assessment.
3
At Structural Connections — Top Plates, Rim Joists & Ledgers
The connections between structural members — where walls meet roofs, where floors attach to walls, where beams bear on posts — are the most structurally critical points in the building and the most vulnerable to fire damage. Connection failures in these locations are concealed inside the assembly and require demolition to access and assess. A building can sustain connection failure at multiple critical points while appearing structurally intact from the interior.
4
In the Garage Ceiling — Firewall & Structural Interface
The garage ceiling assembly — where the garage firewall meets the roof framing above — is a frequent location of concealed structural fire damage in garage fire events. The interface between the fire-rated drywall, the top plate of the firewall, and the roof rafters above is a complex structural connection that must be fully opened and assessed after any garage fire event that produced heat or fire at ceiling level.
5
At Party Walls in Multi-Unit Buildings
In multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, structural fire damage can travel through party wall assemblies from one unit into adjacent units — compromising structural members in spaces where the fire did not directly occur. Party wall structural assessment after any fire event in a multi-unit building requires access to both the fire-origin unit and all adjacent units sharing structural connections with the affected space.
6
In Concealed Spaces — Soffits, Chases & Furred Ceilings
Architectural concealed spaces — decorative soffits, mechanical chases, furred ceiling cavities — frequently contain structural framing that is not part of the primary structural system but is still a required component of the finished assembly. Fire damage in these concealed spaces is invisible from finished surfaces and requires demolition to access. These spaces are commonly missed in insurance adjuster assessments.
How We Assess Structural Damage
How RCS Builders Assesses Structural Fire Damage — The Process That Protects Your Claim and Your Safety
Structural fire damage assessment is a systematic process — not a visual walk-through. Here is exactly how we conduct every structural fire assessment.
Step 1 — Emergency Stabilization First: Before any assessment work begins in a structurally compromised building, temporary stabilization is installed as required — shoring under compromised load-bearing assemblies, temporary bracing of walls, and roof tarping to protect exposed structure from weather. Safety before assessment.
Step 2 — Systematic Demolition for Access: Finished surfaces — drywall, ceilings, flooring — are removed in a controlled, systematic sequence to expose every structural member in the fire-affected area. Assessment does not happen from the surface. Every member must be visible and accessible before it is evaluated.
Step 3 — Individual Member Assessment: Each exposed framing member is assessed individually — char depth measured, residual section calculated, connection hardware inspected. Every member is marked retain or replace before rebuild begins. This documentation is photographed and submitted to the insurance carrier.
Step 4 — Engineering Coordination Where Required: Load-bearing wall modifications, truss replacements, steel member assessment, and foundation damage all require a licensed structural engineer of record. We identify engineering requirements on the first assessment visit and engage the engineer before rebuild planning begins. Engineer documentation is a required component of the permit set.
Step 5 — Permit Application and Inspection Plan: All structural repair work requires a building permit and phased inspections — foundation, framing, mechanical rough-in, and final. We pull the permit, prepare the inspection plan, and coordinate all required inspections throughout the rebuild. No wall is closed before the framing inspection is passed.
What We Do
Complete Structural Fire Damage Repair — Assessment Through Permitted Rebuild
📡
Structural Fire Damage Assessment
Systematic demolition and individual member assessment of all fire-affected structural systems — walls, roof, floors, connections, and foundations. Every member marked retain or replace. Full documentation photographed and submitted to insurance carrier. Engineering coordination initiated where required.
First Step
🧯
Emergency Stabilization & Shoring
Temporary shoring installed under compromised load-bearing assemblies before any demolition begins. Roof tarped over exposed structure immediately. Temporary bracing of walls where required. No structural work begins in an unsecured building.
Safety First
🔨
Controlled Structural Demolition
All fire-damaged framing, sheathing, connections, and hardware removed in systematic sequence. Concealed spaces opened and assessed. Debris removed. Structure cleaned and prepared for engineering review and rebuild.
Deck Inspection Required
📐
Engineering Coordination
Licensed structural engineer engaged for all load-bearing wall modifications, truss replacements, steel member assessment, and foundation damage evaluation. Engineer stamped drawings prepared and submitted as part of permit application. Engineering documentation maintained throughout construction.
When Required
📋
Permits & Inspections
All required structural repair permits pulled — building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical as applicable. Inspection plan coordinated with local building department. All phased inspections — foundation, framing, rough mechanical, final — scheduled and passed before proceeding to subsequent phases.
Fully Permitted
🏗️
Structural Framing Rebuild
New framing installed to current code — wall studs, plates, rafters, trusses, floor joists, sheathing, and all structural connections. All structural hardware replaced. Temporary shoring removed after new framing is loaded and inspected. Framing inspection passed before any rough mechanical or insulation work begins.
Code Compliant
🪚
Envelope, Insulation & Finish Work
Exterior envelope restored — roofing, siding, windows, and doors. Insulation installed per current energy code. Drywall, texture, paint, flooring, and all finish trades completed under one coordinated project scope. Smoke-sealing primer applied to all surfaces in smoke-affected areas.
Complete
📋
Insurance Documentation & Claim Management
Xactimate estimates covering full structural assessment, engineering costs, demolition, permitted framing rebuild, and all finish work. Structural fire claims are the highest-value and most contested fire claims — we document every member assessment decision and supplement aggressively throughout.
Fully Handled
Immediate Action Guide
Structural Fire Damage to Your Home — Do These Things Right Now
Step 1
Do not re-enter the structure until it is cleared
Do not enter a building that has sustained structural fire damage until a licensed general contractor or structural engineer has assessed and cleared it for safe entry. A building that is still standing is not necessarily safe to be inside. Stay out until you have professional confirmation of structural safety.
Step 2
Do not allow anyone else to enter
Keep family members, neighbors, and anyone else out of the structure until it has been assessed. Curiosity and the instinct to recover belongings are understandable — but a structurally compromised building is dangerous for anyone inside it.
Step 3
Document everything from a safe distance
Photograph and video the exterior of the structure from a safe distance — every face of the building, every area of visible damage. If you can safely re-enter after professional clearance, document every interior space. This documentation establishes the pre-assessment condition of the structure for your insurance claim.
Step 4
Call RCS Builders — (480) 204-9035 — 24/7
Tell us the address, the approximate scope of the fire, and whether the fire department has cleared the structure. We assess structural fire damage across Greater Phoenix and can mobilize immediately for significant structural events.
Step 5
Call your insurance carrier to report the claim
Report the fire to your homeowner's or commercial property insurance carrier immediately. For significant structural fire events, do this before any cleanup or stabilization work begins — the carrier needs to be aware and may want to send their own adjuster before work starts.
Step 6
Do not remove any debris or materials before assessment
Do not allow anyone to remove fire debris, damaged materials, or fallen structural members before a complete assessment is conducted. Debris removal before assessment destroys the evidence base for the insurance claim and can destabilize the structure further.
Step 7
Secure the structure against unauthorized entry
Once the area is safe to approach, secure all open openings — broken windows, damaged doors, and any breach in the exterior envelope — to prevent unauthorized entry and weather damage to the exposed structure. We handle emergency board-up as our first on-site action.
Structural Fire Damage Is Covered. We Build the Claim From the Inside Out.
Structural fire damage — including framing assessment and replacement, engineering costs, temporary shoring, demolition, permitted rebuild, and all associated finish work — is covered under standard homeowner's and commercial property fire insurance policies. Structural fire claims are the largest and most contested fire claims in Arizona. Carriers consistently underscope structural damage by limiting assessment to visible surface conditions — refusing to include concealed member damage, connection hardware replacement, engineering costs, and code upgrade requirements that are identified only after demolition. We build every structural fire claim from the inside out — starting with individual member assessment after demolition and working outward to the full scope. We include engineering costs, shoring costs, permit costs, and code-required upgrades. We supplement aggressively when adjusters attempt to scope from the surface.
- Individual structural member assessment documented after demolition
- Every retain vs. replace decision photographed and documented
- Temporary shoring costs included in scope
- Engineering costs identified and included where required
- All structural hardware replacement included — not just visible members
- Code upgrade requirements identified and included
- Permit and inspection costs included in estimate
- Complete Xactimate estimates — structural and all associated work
- Direct adjuster communication and aggressive supplementing throughout
- Works with all major Arizona homeowner's and commercial carriers
Available 24/7
Client Stories
Real Structural Fire Damage Jobs. Across Phoenix.
★★★★★
"A fire in our garage burned through the firewall and into the roof framing above. RCS shored the roof, opened everything up, and found damage further than the adjuster scoped. They fought for the full structural repair and got it covered. The rebuild is perfect."
Greg & Lori T. — Val Vista Lakes, Gilbert AZ
Roof Framing · Structural Assessment · Insurance Supplemented
★★★★★
"Our kitchen fire burned into the wall cavity and damaged a load-bearing wall. RCS installed shoring before they touched anything, coordinated the structural engineer, pulled the permits, and rebuilt everything correctly. I didn't know what I didn't know — glad I called them."
Monica T. — Fulton Ranch, Chandler AZ
Load-Bearing Wall · Engineering · Permitted Rebuild
★★★★★
"A fire at our commercial property damaged steel framing in the rear of the building. RCS brought in the structural engineer, assessed every member, and rebuilt the affected section completely. Back in operation ahead of schedule."
Saul E. — Scottsdale Waterfront, Scottsdale AZ
Commercial · Steel Framing · Engineering Coordinated
★★★★★
"We had a total loss fire at a rental property. RCS managed the full structural demolition and rebuild from the ground up — permits, engineering, framing, everything through final inspection. One contractor, one claim, one point of contact."
Thomas W. — Power Ranch, Gilbert AZ
Total Loss · Full Rebuild · One Contractor
Questions & Answers
Structural Fire Damage — Frequently Asked Questions
The building is still standing — does that mean it's structurally safe?
Not necessarily. Wood framing loses structural capacity as it chars — but the loss of capacity begins well before the member burns through. A wall that is still standing after a fire may be carrying load on framing members that have lost significant structural capacity from char depth and heat exposure. Steel members soften and permanently deform at fire temperatures without any visible change in shape. Do not occupy or enter a fire-damaged structure until a licensed general contractor or structural engineer has assessed and cleared it. Standing does not mean safe.
Does insurance cover structural fire damage including engineering costs?
Yes — structural fire damage is covered under standard homeowner's and commercial property fire insurance policies. Engineering costs are a covered component of the structural repair scope when engineering is required — load-bearing wall modifications, truss replacement, and steel member assessment all require a structural engineer of record. We document engineering requirements clearly and include engineering costs in the Xactimate estimate from the first submission.
Do you need to tear out my walls to assess structural damage?
Yes — for any wall that has sustained fire exposure. Structural assessment from the finished surface is not adequate for fire-damaged framing. The char depth, connection condition, and hardware integrity of every fire-affected member must be assessed from direct access — which requires removing the finished surface. This demolition is a covered insurance scope item. We document every member we access and assess before any material is discarded.
What is temporary shoring and why is it required before demolition?
Temporary shoring is a system of posts, beams, and bearing plates installed to carry the load of the structure above while a compromised load-bearing wall or assembly is being demolished and rebuilt. Removing a load-bearing wall without first transferring its load to temporary shoring risks structural collapse of the assembly above. We install temporary shoring before any demolition of a compromised load-bearing assembly — this is a non-negotiable safety and engineering requirement.
Do I need a structural engineer for my fire damage repair?
It depends on the scope. Structural damage that involves load-bearing wall modification, roof truss replacement, steel member assessment, or foundation damage requires a licensed structural engineer of record — both for the safety of the repair and as a requirement of the building permit. We identify engineering requirements during the initial assessment and engage the engineer before rebuild planning begins. Not every structural fire repair requires engineering — but every load-bearing and complex structural repair does.
How long does structural fire damage repair take?
Structural repair timelines depend on scope and permit complexity. A single-wall structural repair — one load-bearing wall, engineering, permit, and rebuild — typically takes 4–8 weeks from assessment through finished drywall. Multi-wall or roof framing events run 8–16 weeks. Total loss structural rebuilds are full construction projects that run 4–8 months depending on engineering, permitting, and finish selection timelines. We provide a detailed project schedule at the start of every job.
My fire damage is in a commercial building — do you handle commercial structural repair?
Yes — we handle structural fire damage repair in commercial buildings including retail, office, warehouse, multifamily, and mixed-use properties across Greater Phoenix. Commercial structural repairs involve additional complexity — occupancy requirements, ADA compliance, commercial electrical and mechanical code, and more extensive permitting — that we manage as part of the project scope.
Can you handle the structural repair and the finish rebuild under one contract?
es — and this is one of the core advantages of working with RCS Builders. We are a licensed general contractor and IICRC-certified restoration company under one roof. The structural repair and the finish rebuild — drywall, flooring, paint, cabinetry, and all finish trades — are managed under one project manager, one contract, and one insurance claim. No handoff to a second contractor. No coordination gap between structural and finish phases.
Dealing with smoke and soot throughout the home in addition to structural damage? See our Smoke & Soot Damage Cleanup page. For the complete rebuild scope after structural repairs are complete, see our Fire Damage Rebuild & Reconstruction page. Full scope of fire damage services at our Fire Damage Restoration hub.
Service Area
Structural Fire Damage Repair Across Greater Phoenix
Based in Tempe. Assessing and repairing structural fire damage across all of Maricopa County — residential and commercial — 24/7.
San Tan Valley
Paradise Valley
Fountain Hills
Apache Junction
Sun Lakes
Peoria
Avondale
Goodyear
Surprise
Maricopa
Gold Canyon
Carefree
Ahwatukee
Ocotillo
Arcadia
Cave Creek
Phoenix
Tempe
Chandler
Mesa
Gilbert
Scottsdale
Queen Creek
Laveen
Glendale
Structural Fire Damage.
Assessed Correctly.
Rebuilt Right.
Structural fire damage cannot be assessed from the surface and cannot be rebuilt without permits. RCS Builders opens every cavity, assesses every member, coordinates engineering where required, pulls every permit, and rebuilds your structure completely — safely, correctly, and under one insurance claim.
(480) 204-9035
Available 24/7 · Greater Phoenix Valley · Licensed General Contractor · IICRC Certified