Although a critical part of all life, water can wreak some of the worst damage on your home. Whether you have a leaky pipe or a flooded basement, water damage can lead to mold, mildew, and in some extreme cases, a complete home renovation. Thankfully, homeowners insurance often covers most of the bill, but you may still be responsible for some water damage restoration costs.
The cost of water damage restoration can range from a couple of hundred dollars to tens of thousands, so it can be difficult to figure out just how much your water emergency will cost. That’s why we use real data from reputable databases, such as RS Means, and review dozens of water restoration companies to source our cost data.
Have a water emergency and need a professional quickly? Use our tool below to connect to the industry’s best water damage restoration companies.
- Water damage restoration costs anywhere from $150 to $100,000, but most homeowners pay between $1,300 to $6,000 for a water emergency.
- Water damage is categorized by the type of water, with clean water being the least expensive to clean up and black water being the most expensive.
- Water damage can lead to mold if not caught quickly and dealt with professionally, and mold restoration can cost at least $1,000 to $3,500.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Water Damage?
Depending on where you have water damage and how bad the water damage is in your home, the cost to remove the water and repair your home can be anywhere from $150 to $100,000. However, most homeowners pay between $1,300 to $6,000. Additionally, most home insurance plans cover water damage as long as you submit a claim right away, including damage from the following:
- Burst pipes
- Accidental water leaks
- Water damage after a house fire
- Water damage from a roof leak
- Water damage from heavy rain
- Ice dams
| Low End | National Average | High End |
| $150 | $1,300–$6,000 | $100,000 |
How Do Water Damage Restoration Costs and Fees Differ by Category Type?
All water damage is not created equal. Some types of water can lead to significantly more damage (and cost) than others. Clean water is typically the least expensive to clean up, but if you have black water, it’s nearly impossible to estimate the repair cost.
| Type of Water | Average Price Range |
| Clean water | $3–$4 |
| Gray water | $4–$7 |
| Black water | $7+ |
Cost data include the material costs and labor, if applicable.
Clean Water
Clean water, also known as Category 1, is not contaminated by chemicals or biohazardous materials, such as fecal matter. If you have clean water damage, you’re lucky because it’s the least expensive to clean up at $3 to $4 per square foot of damage.
Most clean water damage is due to leaky faucets, leaking toilets, or cracks in your water heater. To remedy clean water damage, all that has to be done is drying. However, you may need to replace carpet, hardwood floors, bathroom cabinets, or drywall in many cases.
Gray Water
Gray water, or Category 2, is any water that may have come in contact with substances that could be harmful, such as food particles or laundry detergent. This water poses a higher risk of contamination, so it’s more expensive to clean up at $4 to $7 per square foot.
Gray water damage comes from appliances such as your dishwasher, toilet overflow, or laundry machine and is typically caused by overflows and appliance door failures. Similar to clean water damage, you’ll have to dry the affected area and may need to replace floors and cabinets that were impacted by the water damage.
Black Water
Category 3, or black water damage, is the most expensive type of water damage to repair. Black water is any water known to have been in contact with contaminated water, such as sewage or groundwater. Because black water poses a health risk, anything the water comes in contact with must be removed and replaced. This includes drywall, flooring, furniture, and even clothing. Because of these extensive repairs, it’s difficult to give an accurate estimate, but you can expect repairs to cost at least $7 per square foot or more.
Black water damage usually stems from the flowing:
- Sewage backups from a drain or septic system
- Plumbing system leaks
- River, lake, or groundwater flooding
Wondering how water damage restoration works after a hurricane? Check out the video below:
How Does Class Type Affect Water Restoration Pricing?
When you get a professional restoration company to your home, they will categorize the water damage according to a class. There are four different classes that increase in severity, with the first class being the easiest to fix and the fourth being the most severe.
| Type | Average Price Range |
| Class 1 | $150 – $500 |
| Class 2 | $500 – $1,000 |
| Class 3 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Class 4 | $20,000 – $100,000 |
Cost data include the material costs and labor, if applicable.
Class 1
If you have Class 1 water damage, it means that just one area of a room has water damage and very little damage has occurred. You may have caught a water leak in its early stages or were able to get an overflowing toilet under control quickly. It usually costs between $150 to $500 to repair Class 1 water damage, and if you have DIY experience, you may be able to do most of the repairs yourself.
Class 2
With Class 2 water damage, you have up to 12 inches of standing water in at least one room. In most cases, the water has gotten into the floors and may have damaged furniture, but can easily be handled by a water damage restoration professional. You can expect to pay at least $500 to $1,000 for this type of water damage.
Class 3
Class 3 water damage is more expensive to clean up because it likely has permeated into the floors, subfloor, drywall and ceiling. You should get a professional water restoration company to handle this type of damage because they have the tools and equipment to remove the water and dry your home. It costs an average of $1,000 to $3,000 to clean up Class 3 water damage.
Class 4
Class 4 water damage is reserved for the most severe type of water damage, often caused by prolonged flooding due to high water or hurricanes. Class 4 water damage is when water has penetrated the structural materials of your home, which can cost between $20,000 and $100,000 to repair.
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Which Factors Impact Water Damage Restoration Cost Estimates?
The class and type of water damage are just two factors that influence the total cost of your water damage restoration project. Your quote may look a little different depending on where you live, the extent of the damage, and the cost of labor.
Damage Extent
As can be expected, a leaky faucet costs much less to repair than a flooded basement. The extent of the water damage is the most important cost factor to consider, as it influences the damage class. You may avoid extensive repair costs if you can catch water damage in its early stages.
Labor Costs
On average, you’ll pay $70 to $200 per hour for water damage remediation. This cost covers the labor required to remove the water and dry your space. You may pay separately for these services if you need more repairs to your floor, drywall, or ceiling.
Geographic Location
Where you live may be a role in what you’ll pay to repair a water emergency. If you live in a rural area, you may have to pay more for a water restoration to your home. In addition, you may have fewer companies in your immediate area, so you may not have the opportunity to get several quotes like someone who lives in a more urban area.
On the flip side, someone who lives in a larger city may have access to several restoration companies, meaning the companies have to keep their costs competitive to win bids. This is why we always recommend you get at least two quotes before you choose a company; you may find that one is more affordable than another.
Find Water Damage Restoration Cost Estimates In Your State
Are There Additional Costs When Dealing With Water Damage Issues?
Water removal costs are only one portion of the total cost of water repairs. Whenever you have water where you shouldn’t, you’re at risk for mold, not to mention expensive repairs of anything touched by the water.
Mold Remediation
Mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours after any moisture has penetrated an area. Mold poses serious health risks, so getting on top of mold is important before you notice any signs. On average, mold removal costs between $1,000 to $3,500, but it can cost more depending on how much mold you have in your home.
Repairs
If you have standing water or a leak that got out of hand, you may have to pay to repair your floor, ceiling, drywall, and more. The extent of repairs you need depends on how severe your water damage was, so you can expect to pay more to repair your basement than one bathroom.
Most repairs, such as wood floor water damage, cost less than $5,000, but if you had an entire basement flood, the remodel cost anywhere from $700 to more than $75,000. Check out the table below to see the average water damage repair costs:
| Type of Repair | Average Cost to Repair |
| Basement | $700 to $75,000 |
| Bathroom fixtures | $150 – $300 |
| Ceiling | $300 – $1,500 |
| Drywall | $300 – $1,000 |
| Floors | $200 – $500 |
| Natural disaster | $500 – $2,500 |
| Leaking plumbing or burst pipes | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Roof | $400 – $1,800 |
Cost data include the material costs and labor, if applicable.
Emergency Fees
If you have a plumbing emergency, you may pay more for someone to come to your home. Even though all the best plumbing companies have emergency services, you may also pay more if you need an emergency plumber out to your home on a holiday or weekend. This cost can be up to two to three times the normal hourly rate, so you could pay between $120 to $600 per hour for emergency services.
How Important Is Water Damage Restoration? Is It OK to Delay Repairs?
It’s dangerous to delay any water damage repairs. If you don’t take care of a plumbing problem early on, mold, mildew, and other serious problems can occur. If you even suspect a small leak, we recommend you contact a professional as quickly as possible.
Preventing Growth of Harmful Mold or Mildew
If water damage is left standing for even 24 hours, mold spores can start to develop. If you continue to push off water damage repairs, those spores can quickly spread throughout the affected area and further into your home.
The main concern with mold is the health risks. Mold is a known allergen and can lead to respiratory problems in adults and children. If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, mold can do even more damage.
But mold is more than a serious health risk; it can even lead to structural damage to your home. With all these risks, repairing water damage as quickly as possible is important.
Preventing Further Water Damage to Your Property
Regardless of the extent of the damage, leaky faucets and standing water can do major damage to your property. Water can lead to warped and buckled floors, damaged drywall, cracked ceilings, and more serious structural damage. Pests are also attached to moist areas, so if you delay repairs, you’re virtually welcoming these critters into your home by not taking care of water damage. Further, some insurance companies require you to submit a claim as soon as you notice a problem if you want to get coverage.
Professional vs. DIY Water Damage Restoration: Which Is Most Cost Effective?
Water damage is a serious issue; unless you catch it early enough, it is not a DIY project any homeowner should undertake. Water damage can lead to more serious problems if left unchecked or improperly fixed. It’s best to leave this repair project to the professionals.
Doing Water Damage Restoration Yourself
If you have a leaky faucet or pipe and catch the problem early, you can do some repairs yourself. However, any more damage than that requires the expertise of professional plumbers and water restoration experts. When you have severe water damage, you need a team to quickly remove the water, fix the leak, and provide large fans and equipment to quickly dry your space. Once the emergency has been resolved, water restoration professionals will also make sure there’s no mold or further damage to your home.
Hiring a Professional for Restoration
As soon as you see signs of water damage, it’s time to contact a water restoration professional. These experts can be at your home quickly and get leaks under control.
Follow the steps below to get in touch with a water restoration professional:
- Find local experts near you: Use the tool below to get connected to a water restoration company.
- Get a quote from a few options: If you have the time and options, get at least two quotes to compare costs and timelines.
- Contact your home insurance provider: As soon as you notice a problem, you should contact your home insurance provider to see if you qualify for coverage.
- Consult them about their recommendations: Water damage is serious business, so ask each expert what they recommend for remediation and how they plan to fix your water damage.
- Choose a quote: After you’ve gathered at least two quotes, choose the one that works best for your needs, timeline, and budget.
Need emergency services, or are you ready to contact a water damage restoration company? Use the tool below to get started.
So, Are Water Damage Restoration Costs Worth It?
Whether you have a small water leak or a completely flooded basement, it’s worth it to get it fixed. Water damage restoration costs anywhere from $150 to more than $100,000, but luckily your insurance will cover most, if not all, of it. You should never leave water leaks unchecked, as delays can lead to mold growth, pests, and further damage. Instead, call your local water restoration company as soon as you notice a problem.
FAQs About Water Damage Restoration Costs
Is water damage restoration expensive?
Water damage restoration can cost anywhere from $150 to $100,000 to fix. However, most major water damage problems are covered by your homeowners insurance.
What needs to be replaced after water damage?
Anything that came in contact with water will likely need to be replaced after the water has dried. Water damage can penetrate through floors, walls, and ceilings, but you may also need to replace furniture and clothing if the water damage is severe enough.
How is water damage caused?
Water damage is caused by leaking or bursting pipes, overflowing appliances, flooding, and natural disasters.
What are the steps to water damage restoration?
When you call a professional water damage restoration company to your home, they will perform the following steps:
- Complete a water damage inspection to determine the type of water and class.
- Extract or remove water from the affected area.
- Dry and dehumidify the room(s).
- Sanitize all surfaces.
- Repair and reconstruct all damage.
