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Water Damage Restoration Cost Calculator (2026)
Enter the wet area and where the water came from. The estimate covers drying, drywall flood cuts, and flooring, the same line items restoration companies bill.
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Water extraction, drying, and dehumidifiers | $1,500 |
| Cut out and replace wet drywall | $560 |
| Replace carpet and pad | $2,000 |
Installed prices including labor and materials. Your quotes can differ with site conditions.
Have an estimate from a restoration company? Check if it is fair →
Water damage restoration cost: example jobs
| Job | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Burst supply line, one 12 × 12 room, tile floor | $450 – $750 | $560 |
| Dishwasher leak into kitchen, 2 ft flood cut, vinyl plank | $2,050 – $4,500 | $3,050 |
| Finished basement, water heater failure, carpet | $5,250 – $11,800 | $7,800 |
| Washer overflow on second floor, hardwood | $3,900 – $8,350 | $5,650 |
| Sewage backup in basement, 4 ft flood cut, carpet | $6,200 – $13,200 | $8,850 |
Cost by item
Restoration bills have two parts: mitigation (extraction, drying, removing ruined materials) and rebuild (new drywall, paint, flooring). Many companies only do mitigation, so ask whether the quote includes both.
| Item | Unit | Price range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction and drying, Category 1 | per sq ft | $0 – $10 | $0 |
| Extraction and drying, Category 2 | per sq ft | $0 – $10 | $10 |
| Extraction and drying, Category 3 | per sq ft | $10 – $10 | $10 |
| Drywall removal and replacement | per sq ft of wall | $0 – $10 | $0 |
| Carpet and pad replacement | per sq ft | $0 – $10 | $10 |
| Vinyl plank / laminate replacement | per sq ft | $10 – $10 | $10 |
| Hardwood replacement | per sq ft | $10 – $20 | $10 |
| After-hours emergency response | per job | $150 – $600 | $300 |
| Contents pack-out and storage | per job | $500 – $4,000 | $1,500 |
Water categories explained
The industry standard (IICRC S500) sorts water by contamination, and the category drives the price:
- Category 1, clean water: supply lines, faucets, ice makers, rain through a window. Materials can often be dried in place.
- Category 2, gray water: dishwasher and washer discharge, toilet overflow without feces, aquarium water. Needs antimicrobial treatment, and carpet pad is usually thrown out.
- Category 3, black water: sewage, rising floodwater, anything that sat long enough to grow bacteria. Porous materials that got wet must be removed, and crews work in protective gear.
Clean water becomes Category 2 after about 24–48 hours, which is why waiting raises the bill.
What to do in the first 24 hours
- Shut off the water at the main valve, and turn off power to wet areas if it is safe to reach the panel.
- Photograph and video everything before moving anything. Insurers need it.
- Call your insurer to open a claim, then a restoration company. Many work directly with insurers.
- Move furniture and rugs off wet floors, and put foil or blocks under furniture legs.
- Keep receipts for anything you buy, such as fans or hotel stays.
Ask for moisture readings. A good company logs moisture levels every day until materials reach dry standard. The log protects you from walls closed up while still wet, which leads to mold.
Insurance and water damage
Most homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, but not the thing that broke (the pipe or appliance itself), gradual leaks, or outside flooding. Sewer backup coverage is usually a separate endorsement costing $40–$250 a year. Your deductible, often $1,000–$2,500, comes off the total.
Frequently asked questions
How much does water damage restoration cost?
Drying a single room after a clean-water leak often costs $500–$1,500. A finished basement with drywall and carpet replacement commonly runs $5,000–$15,000. Sewage (Category 3) jobs cost the most, at $10 – $10 per square foot before rebuilding.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Standard policies usually cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe or appliance failure. They usually do not cover gradual leaks, flooding from outside (that needs flood insurance), or sewer backups unless you have a sewer backup endorsement.
How long does water damage restoration take?
Drying usually takes 3–5 days with commercial dehumidifiers and air movers. Rebuilding drywall and flooring adds 1–3 weeks depending on materials and insurance approval.
What is a flood cut?
Restoration crews cut wet drywall off in a straight line, usually 2 or 4 feet above the floor, so the wall cavity can dry and wet insulation can be removed. It is cheaper than trying to dry drywall in place and prevents hidden mold.
How soon does mold grow after water damage?
Mold can start growing within 24–48 hours on wet drywall, wood, and carpet pad. That is why fast extraction and drying matters more than almost anything else for the final cost.
Can I dry water damage myself?
For a small clean-water spill caught right away, fans, a rented dehumidifier, and a wet vac can work. Anything that soaked into walls, carpet pad, or subfloors, or any gray or black water, should be handled by a restoration company with moisture meters.