WILDFIRE REBUILDS IN KAMLOOPS AND
BRITISH COLUMBIA'S INTERIOR
Rebuilding After a Wildfire Starts with Understanding What Comes Next
Kellermeier Contracting has first-hand experience with residential wildfire rebuilding in British Columbia’s Interior and can help homeowners understand the construction process, coordinate the professionals involved and navigate the additional steps that may be required before rebuilding begins.
START WITH A BUILDER YOU TRUST
Experience and guidance when the process is more complex
Wildfire rebuilds involve more steps than a typical custom home. An experienced builder can help you understand what information is needed, which professionals may need to be involved and how design, permitting and site conditions may affect the project.
Kellermeier works closely with homeowners, insurers, designers, engineers, building officials and trades to help make a complicated process easier to understand and manage.
A WILDFIRE CAN CHANGE MORE THAN THE HOUSE
Key considerations before rebuilding
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REBUILDING UNDER TODAYS REQUIREMENTS
The new home may not be able to
simply replace the old one
A home built many years ago may have been constructed under different regulations. When rebuilding, the new project will generally need to comply with current requirements, which can affect the design, location, schedule and overall cost.
Building Setbacks
Current setbacks may be different
from when then the original home
was built.
Waterfront + Riparian Areas
New guidelines may affect where the home can be located.
Geotechnical Requirements
A geotechnical engineer may need to assess the property.
Updated Building Standards
The replacement home will need to meet current building requirements.
Septic Systems
Existing systems may need to be assessed, upgraded or replaced.
TIMELINES + COSTS
A wildfire rebuild takes careful time and planning
TIMELINES
A custom home can take 8 to 14 months to construct,
depending on size and complexity. Wildfire rebuilds can require additional time for demolition, site assessment, design, engineering, permitting and servicing work before construction begins.
COSTS
In addition to general construction costs, a wildfire rebuild can involve demolition, debris removal, environmental or geotechnical work, servicing, design changes and construction-cost increases. These factors can add significantly to the overall cost.
FEATURED PROJECT
MONTE LAKE
WILDFIRE REBUILD
Monte Lake, BC | Residential Fire Rebuild
A family home rebuilt after it was destroyed by wildfire, while navigating the additional complexity that comes with rebuilding on a fire-affected site.
THE PROJECT
Rebuild a family home on a Monte Lake property after it was destroyed by wildfire.
THE CHALLENGE
Insurance, geotechnical review, a compromised septic system and additional regulatory requirements.
KELLERMEIER APPROACH
A whole property view, coordination of consultants and clear communication throughout the process.
THE OUTCOME
With the site, servicing and regulatory issues resolved, the homeowners were able to rebuild and return to their Monte Lake property.
WHY KELLERMEIER FOR WILDFIRE REBUILDS
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WILDFIRE REBUILD QUESTIONS
Common questions about wildfire rebuilds
What should I do first if I need to rebuild after a wildfire? Once immediate safety and insurance matters are underway, one of the most useful early steps is to connect with an experienced builder. The builder can help identify which construction, site, design and professional requirements need to be addressed before rebuilding can begin.
Can I rebuild the same house in exactly the same location? Not always. Current setbacks, riparian requirements, site conditions, servicing or updated regulations may affect where and how the replacement home can be built. The property needs to be reviewed based on the requirements that apply to the new project.
Will I need a geotechnical engineer after a wildfire? Some wildfire-affected properties may require or benefit from geotechnical review, particularly where fire, vegetation loss, slope conditions or other site factors may have affected the ground. Whether one is required will depend on the individual property and the requirements of the applicable authorities.
Can an existing septic system be reused? Possibly, but it should not be assumed. The system may need to be assessed to determine whether it was damaged, remains suitable for the new home and can meet current requirements.
How long does a wildfire rebuild take? The construction of a custom home can take approximately 8 to 14 months depending on complexity, but wildfire rebuilding can require considerable work before construction begins. Demolition, site assessment, design, engineering, permitting, insurance and servicing requirements can all extend the overall timeline.
Is rebuilding after a wildfire more expensive than a typical new home? It can be. Demolition, debris removal, site remediation, engineering, new servicing requirements, regulatory changes and construction-cost inflation can all add expenses that would not necessarily exist on a typical prepared building site.
Can we make the replacement home more wildfire resilient? There may be opportunities to incorporate more fire-resistant materials, defensible landscaping and other resilience measures into the new home and property. The appropriate strategy should be based on the site, design and applicable requirements.
Can we build the replacement home to a higher energy-performance standard? Yes. A complete rebuild creates an opportunity to consider energy efficiency and high-performance construction from the earliest design stages. Kellermeier’s team includes Certified Passive House Tradesperson expertise to support those conversations.
REBUILDING AFTER A WILDFIRE?
The process can involve far more than replacing the home that was lost
If you are working through insurance, assessing a fire-affected property or beginning to think about the replacement home, Kellermeier can help you understand the construction process and the steps that may need to happen before rebuilding begins.
