Foundation & structural / Minden, NV
Rebuilding a home after fire
Fire took the roof framing and walls of a family's home. Gary Wake shored what was sound, stripped the charred timber, reframed the rafters and walls, rewired the whole house, and handed back rooms that smell like new paint instead of smoke.
- Project
- 11 of 18
- Category
- Foundation & structural
- Location
- Minden, NV
- Scope highlights
- 6
- Photographs
- 10
Structural fire restoration
Charred rafters cut out, framing rebuilt, and a family's home handed back whole
After an interior fire damaged the roof framing, walls, and electrical system of this residence, Gary Wake shored the structure, stripped out every piece of smoke-damaged timber, reframed and rewired the house from the studs out, and restored every room.
Erasing fire & smoke damage
Never sealing smoke behind new drywall: stripping to sound wood and rebuilding right
Charred rafters, compromised load-bearing studs, and destroyed wiring
After the fire, the house was studs, joists, and soot. Load-bearing walls and roof framing were compromised, the wiring was gone, and parts of the subfloor could not be trusted. The family needed it rebuilt safely and quickly, without shortcuts hiding behind new drywall.
Structural shoring, new framing and shear panels, full rewiring, and fresh finishes
Temporary shoring went in first. Then the charred framing came out down to sound wood, rafters and studs were sistered or replaced, and new subflooring was laid. The house was rewired end to end, insulated, drywalled, and finished with new paint, trim, carpet, a kitchen with oak cabinets, and a living room with a painted brick fireplace.
Fire restoration scope delivered
6 highlights- 01Fire damage demolition and debris removal
- 02Temporary structural shoring
- 03Replacement roof rafters and wall studs
- 04New subfloor installation
- 05Whole-house electrical rewiring
- 06Drywall, paint, trim, carpet, and kitchen finishes
Restored rooms & structural framing sequence
Walk the rebuilt rooms first, then see the stripped studs and framing work
See the finished kitchen, fireplace living room, bedroom, and hallway first, followed by the post-fire strip-out and structural reframing.
The home restored: fresh kitchen, living room & bedrooms
New drywall, texture, paint, carpeting, tile flooring, and oak cabinetry returning the home to the family.
Finished hallway with new lighting & carpetSmooth drywall, fresh paint, six-panel doors, and plush carpeting in the rebuilt hall 
Rebuilt oak kitchen & terracotta tile floorCustom oak cabinetry, tile counters, and new appliances in the restored kitchen 
Living room & painted brick fireplaceRestored masonry hearth, new ceiling fan, and fresh carpeting in the living room
Reframing the walls, shear panels & whole-house rewiring
Sistering and replacing rafters and wall studs, installing structural plywood shear panels, and pulling brand-new electrical circuits throughout.
Reframed hallway & squared door headersNew kiln-dried framing lumber replacing fire-damaged interior partitions 
Structural shear panels & new electrical boxesPlywood shear wall sheathing and fresh romex wiring roughed in before inspection 
Front elevation & roofline restoredExterior siding, fascia, and roof framing repaired and painted along the street side 
New sectional garage door & trimGarage wing restored with a new overhead door and weather-tight exterior trim
After the fire: stripping down to bare studs & joists
Removing all fire-damaged drywall, insulation, wiring, and charred wood so no smoke odor or weakened framing remains.
Interior stripped to open ceiling joistsDamaged plaster, insulation, and wiring removed down to the structural skeleton 
Scorched sheathing cleared to the slabEvery smoke-stained board exposed and cataloged for structural replacement
More projects
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Planning something similar?
Tell Gary about your house and what you are picturing for it. He explains the work in plain terms, puts every detail in a written contract, and responds within 2 business days.