Fire Restoration and Demolition in Los Angeles
Your go to restoration and demo team
Fire restoration starts with safe, complete demolition of everything the fire destroyed. Before rebuilding can begin, the burned structure must be fully cleared — including fire-damaged framing, ash, debris, and any hazardous materials like lead paint disturbed by the fire. Xpress Demolition is a licensed demolition service in Los Angeles providing fire restoration demolition, debris removal, and site preparation for homeowners and contractors across LA County and the San Fernando Valley.
We are CSLB licensed (B, C-21), EPA-certified for lead abatement, and have been working fire-damaged properties in Los Angeles since 2019. If you’re rebuilding after a house fire — or recovering from the January 2025 LA wildfires — we can clear the site and get you ready to build. Call us for a free estimate: 323-334-0777.
What Fire Restoration Demolition Involves
Every fire restoration project follows a structured sequence. Cutting corners at any step creates delays, failed inspections, or health hazards on the rebuild.
Step 1 — Site Assessment and Permit Pulling
We inspect the fire-damaged structure, document hazardous materials present, and pull the required demolition permits from the city or county. In Los Angeles, a grading permit may also be required depending on the lot.
Step 2 — Hazmat Testing and Lead Abatement
Fire disturbs lead paint in pre-1978 homes, making it airborne and creating an EPA RRP Rule obligation. As EPA-certified lead abatement contractors, we test, contain, and remediate lead hazards before demolition begins — keeping your family, neighbors, and crew safe. Learn more about our lead abatement services.
Step 3 — Demolition
We demolish the structure using equipment appropriate to the scope — from hand tools for selective interior work to excavators for full house demolition. We follow SCAQMD Rule 1403 governing demolition air quality in Los Angeles County.
Step 4 — Debris Removal and Hauling
All debris, ash, and contaminated material is loaded and hauled to a certified disposal facility. Fire debris from wildfire properties must be handled under specific CalRecycle guidelines and may require a separate household hazardous waste (HHW) pass before we can proceed.
Step 5 — Site Clearing and Grading
Once the lot is clear, we grade and prep the site for the next phase — whether that’s a new foundation, ADU build, or full residential reconstruction. We coordinate with your architect or GC to ensure the graded site meets permit requirements.
Step 6 — Final Inspection
The cleared lot is inspected by the city or county before the property owner can pull building permits for reconstruction. We document all work and provide the certifications your permit application requires.
Lead Abatement — Required for Most LA Fire Restoration Projects
Most homes built in Los Angeles before 1978 contain lead paint. When fire damages these structures, lead becomes a serious airborne and surface hazard — on the property and on neighboring lots. The LA County Department of Public Health requires lead testing and certified remediation before standard demolition can begin on affected properties.
Xpress Demolition holds EPA lead abatement certification, which means we are licensed to test, contain, and remove lead-contaminated materials under federal and state law — not just demo around them. This is a requirement many demolition crews in LA cannot meet. Hiring an uncertified contractor for fire restoration on a pre-1978 home puts you at legal and financial risk.
Verify any contractor’s license before hiring: Check CSLB license status here. Xpress Demolition CSLB license: #1072657.
Serving LA Wildfire Recovery Areas
The January 2025 LA wildfires destroyed more than 13,000 structures across Altadena, Pacific Palisades, Sylmar, and surrounding communities. Thousands of homeowners are now navigating the fire restoration and demolition process for the first time — dealing with insurance adjusters, the Army Corps of Engineers debris removal program, permit offices, and rebuild timelines simultaneously.
Xpress Demolition works directly with homeowners who opted out of the government debris removal program, or whose properties require additional selective demolition, lead abatement, or site preparation that the government program does not cover. We serve:
- Altadena and Pasadena
- Pacific Palisades and Malibu
- Sylmar and Granada Hills
- Chatsworth, Northridge, and the wider San Fernando Valley
- Burbank, Glendale, and La Cañada Flintridge
Our team speaks English, Spanish, Hebrew, Russian, and Armenian — so we can communicate directly with homeowners across LA’s diverse communities without language barriers during an already stressful process.
Why Fire Restoration Requires a Licensed Demolition Contractor
Fire restoration demolition in Los Angeles is not a job for an unlicensed hauler or a general cleanup crew. The city, county, and state all have specific requirements that apply:
- CSLB C-21 license — required in California for demolition work. Our B (General Building) and C-21 licenses cover the full scope of residential demolition and fire restoration work.
- EPA lead certification — mandatory before demolishing pre-1978 structures with lead paint disturbed by fire.
- SCAQMD compliance — air quality regulations apply to demolition in LA County.
- Permit requirements — fire demolition requires permits from LADBS or your local city; unpermitted work can delay your rebuild by months.
- Proper debris disposal — fire debris cannot go to a standard landfill; it must go to a licensed facility under CalRecycle guidelines.
Working with Xpress Demolition means all of these are handled — licenses, permits, disposal, and certifications — so your insurance company and permit office have everything they need to move forward.
How Long Does Fire Restoration Demolition Take?
Timeline depends on the size of the structure, scope of damage, and whether lead abatement is required. For a typical single-family home in Los Angeles:
- Permit: 1–3 weeks — LA city and county fire demolition permits vary; some areas have expedited review for fire recovery properties.
- Lead testing and abatement: 3–7 days — required before demolition begins on pre-1978 homes.
- Demolition and debris removal: 1–5 days — depending on structure size and equipment access.
- Grading and site prep: 1–2 days additional, if required.
Total timeline from first call to cleared lot: typically 2–5 weeks. We will give you a realistic schedule on your first call — not a number chosen to win the bid.
Get a Free Estimate for Fire Restoration in Los Angeles
Xpress Demolition provides free on-site estimates for fire restoration and demolition throughout Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley. We are CSLB licensed, EPA lead-certified, and available to respond quickly to fire recovery jobs.
Call 323-334-0777 or submit your project details online. We’ll schedule a site visit and provide a written estimate — typically within 48 hours.
We also offer a full range of demolition services in Los Angeles including commercial demolition, selective interior demo, excavation, and ADU site preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fire Restoration and Demolition
What is fire restoration demolition?
Fire restoration demolition is the complete removal of fire-damaged structures, debris, ash, and hazardous materials from a property before rebuilding can begin. It is the first physical phase of any fire restoration project after insurance assessment and permitting.
Do I need a permit for fire demolition in Los Angeles?
Yes. Los Angeles requires a demolition permit from LADBS (or your local city building department) before any fire demolition work begins, even for partial teardowns. For wildfire-affected properties, some areas have expedited permitting — we can advise based on your specific location.
Is lead abatement required for fire restoration?
If your home was built before 1978, lead paint is likely present. Fire disturbs and aerosolizes lead, creating a hazmat situation that requires EPA-certified abatement before demolition. This is a legal requirement, not optional. See our lead abatement services page for more information.
Can I use a regular demolition contractor for fire debris removal?
Only if they are CSLB licensed (C-21 or B), EPA lead-certified (for pre-1978 structures), and comply with SCAQMD air quality regulations and CalRecycle fire debris disposal rules. Many general haulers and unlicensed crews do not meet these requirements.
What does fire restoration demolition cost in Los Angeles?
Cost depends on the size of the structure, scope of damage, whether lead abatement is required, and site access. We provide free on-site estimates — contact us to schedule yours.
Do you work with insurance companies for fire restoration?
Yes. We provide detailed written estimates and documentation that your insurance adjuster will need to approve the demolition scope. We work directly with homeowners and their adjusters throughout the process.
What areas do you serve for fire restoration in Los Angeles?
We serve all of Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley, including Altadena, Pasadena, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sylmar, Chatsworth, Northridge, Burbank, Glendale, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, and surrounding areas.
Looking for “fast fire cleanup near me”? Xpress Demolition is your trusted partner.
Don’t Wait—Act Now!
Areas We Serve
Fast, Reliable, and Same-Day Solutions
We offer emergency fire cleanup services in:
- Pacific Palisades
- Pasadena
- Altadena
- Nearby cities throughout Los Angeles County