How much does water damage restoration cost?
National cost data from Angi puts the average water damage restoration job at about $3,822, with most homeowners paying between $1,361 and $6,282. Small clean-water leaks caught early can cost a few hundred dollars. Large sewage or flood losses with major repairs can run well past $10,000.
Those figures are national averages. Your actual cost depends on the factors below, and we give you a written scope before work starts.
What drives the price
- Water category. Clean water from a supply line costs the least to handle. Gray water from a washer or dishwasher costs more, and sewage costs the most, because contaminated materials must be removed and the area disinfected.
- Size of the wet area. More wet square footage means more extraction, more equipment and more labor.
- Materials affected. Drywall and carpet dry faster than hardwood, plaster, concrete or cabinets. Dense materials need longer drying and specialty equipment.
- Days of drying. Equipment is billed per day. Most homes dry in three to five days.
- How fast drying starts. Every day of delay lets water spread further and raises the chance of mold, which adds removal and remediation costs.
- Repairs. Replacing drywall, baseboards, paint and flooring is a separate cost from drying.
Typical costs per square foot by water type
Angi reports these average per-square-foot costs for water damage cleanup:
| Water type | Example sources | Average cost per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Clean water (Category 1) | Supply line, water heater | about $3.50 |
| Gray water (Category 2) | Washer, dishwasher, toilet overflow without feces | about $5.25 |
| Black water (Category 3) | Sewage, outside floodwater | about $7.50 |
Read our guide to water damage categories and classes to understand how your loss will be rated.
East Valley factors that affect cost
- Slab leaks often wet several rooms before anyone notices, and drying concrete takes longer than drying drywall.
- Attic AC overflows soak insulation and ceiling drywall, which usually has to be replaced.
- Monsoon water that came in from outside is treated as contaminated, which raises cleanup costs.
- Vacant seasonal homes often have larger losses, because leaks run for weeks.
How insurance changes what you pay
If your policy covers the cause, you typically pay only your deductible. Sudden events such as a burst pipe or failed water heater are usually covered. Slow leaks, wear and tear and outside flooding usually aren't. Our guide on whether homeowners insurance covers water damage explains the common exclusions.
How to keep costs down
- Shut off the water source right away.
- Call within hours, not days, so drying starts before mold can.
- Photograph everything before cleanup for your claim.
- Don't start tearing out drywall or flooring yourself before the damage is documented.
- Ask for a written scope that separates drying from repairs.
When to call a professional
The cheapest water damage job is the one where drying starts within a day. If water is in your home now, call us and we'll explain the likely scope before any work begins.