Home-hardening questions to ask before fire season

How this usually starts

Homeowners typically start by describing the property, the visible issue, the city, timing, and any photos or previous inspections. A qualified local provider can then decide whether the project is a fit and what kind of inspection or estimate is appropriate.

This guide is intentionally conservative: it helps you prepare better questions and request help, but it does not replace a professional inspection, engineering judgment, official code guidance, or a contractor estimate.

Local context to check

• Use this checklist to sort visible maintenance items before contacting providers; it is not an inspection report or code determination.
• Some items may be handled by landscapers, tree crews, handymen, roof/gutter providers, pest contractors, or other specialists rather than one fire-prep provider.

Cost and scope drivers

• Number of exterior maintenance items, ladder or roof access, debris volume, vegetation work, and whether specialty materials or trades are needed.
• Whether a provider can handle the full list or only a subset such as brush, weeds, gutters, decks, or vents.

What to document before requesting help

• Photos of gutters, vents, roof valleys, decks, fences, vegetation near siding, combustible storage, and access routes.
• A prioritized list of what feels urgent now versus what can be planned as a later upgrade.

Questions to ask before hiring

• Which checklist items do you self-perform, and which should go to another trade or official authority?
• Can you separate safety-critical cleanup from cosmetic or optional work?
• What should I verify with official wildfire-preparedness resources before assuming the work is complete?

FAQ