Key takeaways
- National range: $1,270–$5,376 per typical job, about $3,250 on average.
- Cheapest states: Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. Most expensive: Hawaii, California and Alaska.
- Biggest price driver: Water category — clean, gray or black water changes safety steps and what must be thrown out.
- Best way to save: Stop the water source and call fast — speed is the biggest money-saver.
How much does water damage restoration cost in 2026?
| Job | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Average restoration job | $1,270–$5,376 | National average about $3,250 |
| Clean water (Category 1) | $3.30–$4.10 per sq ft | Supply line, rain, sink overflow |
| Gray water (Category 2) | $4.10–$7.00 per sq ft | Dishwasher, washing machine |
| Black water (Category 3) | $7.00–$7.50+ per sq ft | Sewage, floodwater — more items replaced |
| Basement, 1 inch of clean water | $500–$1,500 | Extraction and drying |
| Drywall repair | $300–$850 | Per affected area |
| Ceiling repair | $350–$1,300 | Often after roof or plumbing leaks |
| Subfloor (150 sq ft section) | $250–$700 | Under flooring |
| Mold remediation add-on | $1,373–$3,325 | If drying was delayed |
| Restoration labor | $70–$200 per hour | Varies by region and urgency |
Water Damage Restoration Cost questions, answered
- What is the cost of average restoration job? The typical cost of average restoration job is $1,270–$5,376. National average about $3,250.
- What is the cost of clean water (Category 1)? The typical cost of clean water (Category 1) is $3.30–$4.10 per sq ft. Supply line, rain, sink overflow.
- What is the cost of gray water (Category 2)? The typical cost of gray water (Category 2) is $4.10–$7.00 per sq ft. Dishwasher, washing machine.
- What is the cost of black water (Category 3)? The typical cost of black water (Category 3) is $7.00–$7.50+ per sq ft. Sewage, floodwater — more items replaced.
- What is the cost of basement, 1 inch of clean water? The typical cost of basement, 1 inch of clean water is $500–$1,500. Extraction and drying.
- What is the cost of drywall repair? The typical cost of drywall repair is $300–$850. Per affected area.
- What is the cost of ceiling repair? The typical cost of ceiling repair is $350–$1,300. Often after roof or plumbing leaks.
- What is the cost of subfloor (150 sq ft section)? The typical cost of subfloor (150 sq ft section) is $250–$700. Under flooring.
- What is the cost of mold remediation add-on? The typical cost of mold remediation add-on is $1,373–$3,325. If drying was delayed.
- What is the cost of restoration labor? The typical cost of restoration labor is $70–$200 per hour. Varies by region and urgency.
What changes the price
- Water category — clean, gray or black water changes safety steps and what must be thrown out.
- Affected area — square footage and number of rooms.
- Materials — hardwood, carpet pad, drywall and insulation often must be removed.
- Time — water left 48+ hours raises the odds of mold and higher bills.
- After-hours response — nights, weekends and holidays cost more.
- Rebuild — mitigation (drying) is separate from reconstruction.
How to save without cutting corners
- Stop the water source and call fast — speed is the biggest money-saver.
- Photograph everything before cleanup for your insurance claim.
- Ask whether the company bills by insurance-standard pricing software.
- Don't pay out of pocket for covered losses before talking to your insurer.
- Fix small leaks immediately; slow leaks are usually not covered.
Water Damage Restoration Cost by state
Labor and material prices vary by region. These estimates apply each state's approximate cost index to the national range.
| State | Estimated range | vs. U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,100–$4,600 | 14% below |
| Alaska | $1,500–$6,600 | 22% above |
| Arizona | $1,200–$5,000 | 7% below |
| Arkansas | $1,100–$4,600 | 15% below |
| California | $1,500–$6,600 | 22% above |
| Colorado | $1,300–$5,400 | about average |
| Connecticut | $1,400–$6,000 | 12% above |
| Delaware | $1,300–$5,600 | 4% above |
| District of Columbia | $1,400–$5,900 | 10% above |
| Florida | $1,200–$4,900 | 8% below |
| Georgia | $1,100–$4,800 | 11% below |
| Hawaii | $1,700–$7,000 | 30% above |
| Idaho | $1,200–$4,900 | 8% below |
| Illinois | $1,400–$5,900 | 10% above |
| Indiana | $1,200–$5,100 | 6% below |
| Iowa | $1,200–$5,000 | 7% below |
| Kansas | $1,100–$4,800 | 10% below |
| Kentucky | $1,100–$4,800 | 10% below |
| Louisiana | $1,100–$4,700 | 13% below |
| Maine | $1,200–$5,100 | 5% below |
| Maryland | $1,300–$5,400 | about average |
| Massachusetts | $1,500–$6,300 | 18% above |
| Michigan | $1,200–$5,300 | 2% below |
| Minnesota | $1,300–$5,700 | 6% above |
| Mississippi | $1,100–$4,600 | 15% below |
| Missouri | $1,200–$5,200 | 3% below |
| Montana | $1,200–$5,000 | 7% below |
| Nebraska | $1,100–$4,800 | 10% below |
| Nevada | $1,300–$5,500 | 3% above |
| New Hampshire | $1,300–$5,400 | about average |
| New Jersey | $1,500–$6,300 | 17% above |
| New Mexico | $1,100–$4,800 | 11% below |
| New York | $1,500–$6,500 | 20% above |
| North Carolina | $1,100–$4,700 | 13% below |
| North Dakota | $1,200–$4,900 | 8% below |
| Ohio | $1,200–$5,100 | 5% below |
| Oklahoma | $1,100–$4,700 | 13% below |
| Oregon | $1,300–$5,600 | 5% above |
| Pennsylvania | $1,300–$5,600 | 4% above |
| Rhode Island | $1,400–$5,900 | 10% above |
| South Carolina | $1,100–$4,700 | 13% below |
| South Dakota | $1,100–$4,700 | 12% below |
| Tennessee | $1,100–$4,800 | 11% below |
| Texas | $1,100–$4,800 | 11% below |
| Utah | $1,200–$5,000 | 7% below |
| Vermont | $1,200–$5,200 | 4% below |
| Virginia | $1,200–$5,100 | 6% below |
| Washington | $1,400–$5,800 | 8% above |
| West Virginia | $1,200–$5,000 | 7% below |
| Wisconsin | $1,300–$5,400 | about average |
| Wyoming | $1,200–$4,900 | 9% below |
More water damage restoration questions
How much does water damage restoration cost?
A typical restoration job costs about $1,270–$5,376. Clean-water jobs are priced around $3.30–$4.10 per square foot nationally, and sewage cleanups cost more.
What should I do first after a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve, turn off power to wet areas, photograph everything, then call your insurer and a restoration company. Start drying within 24–48 hours.
Does homeowners insurance cover burst pipes?
Usually yes for sudden, accidental leaks like a burst pipe. Gradual leaks, poor maintenance and flooding from outside are typically excluded.
How fast does mold grow after water damage?
Mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours on wet drywall, carpet pad and wood, which is why fast drying matters.
Can wet drywall be saved?
Often yes if it was soaked by clean water and dried within 24–48 hours without sagging or swelling. Drywall wet with gray or black water should be removed.
How long does it take to dry a house after water damage?
With professional dehumidifiers and air movers, most structures dry in 3–5 days. Rebuilding drywall, flooring and cabinets takes longer.
Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Flooding from rising water needs a separate flood policy through the NFIP or a private insurer, and NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period.
How much does it cost to fix a water-damaged ceiling?
A small patch is relatively inexpensive, but larger repairs that include drying, new drywall, insulation and paint cost more. Fix the leak source first or the damage returns.
Timeline, permits and DIY
How long it takes
Drying usually takes 3–5 days. Rebuilding drywall, flooring and cabinets adds 1–4 weeks.
Permits
Drying needs no permit, but rebuild work such as electrical, plumbing or structural repairs may.
DIY or hire a pro?
A small clean-water spill dried within 24–48 hours can be DIY. Anything that soaks drywall, flooring or insulation, or any sewage, needs professional drying.
Questions to ask contractors
Ask every bidder the same questions so you can compare quotes apples to apples.
- Can you bill my insurance directly?
- Will you take daily moisture readings and share the drying logs?
- Is rebuild included, or is that a separate contractor?
- Are your technicians IICRC certified?
Maintenance that prevents costly repairs
- Inspect washer, toilet and sink supply lines yearly
- Know where the main water shutoff is
- Consider leak sensors or an automatic shutoff valve
Water Damage Restoration Cost FAQs
How much does water damage restoration cost?
The national average is about $3,250, and most jobs cost $1,270–$5,376. Sewage or flood damage and large areas cost more.
How much does water damage restoration cost per square foot?
About $3.15–$7.40 per square foot overall: $3.30–$4.10 for clean water, $4.10–$7 for gray water and $7–$7.50+ for black water.
Is water mitigation different from restoration?
Yes. Mitigation stops the damage — extraction, drying and dehumidifiers. Restoration (reconstruction) repairs drywall, floors and finishes afterward.
Does insurance pay for water damage restoration?
Usually for sudden, accidental leaks like a burst pipe. Floods, long-term leaks and neglect generally aren't covered by standard homeowners policies.
Water Damage Restoration Cost in popular cities
← Back to the water damage restoration guide
Sources: LawnStarter — Water damage restoration cost (2026). Ranges are rounded estimates; see our editorial policy.