How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost?
Published  CST
Water damage restoration teams use specialized equipment and expert techniques to remove standing water, dry out the affected areas, and restore the home to its previous condition. The details of the water damage restoration process, as well as the cost, depend on the particular case of water damage—where it occurred in the home, the source of damage, which home materials were impacted, and more.
In the year 2025, on average, water damage restoration costs $2,000 to $6,000, according to HomeGuide. But severe situations can result in much higher costs. For example, water damage that is Category 3, has affected multiple rooms, or requires mold remediation or structural repairs, can reach up to $15,000–$30,000. If the entire home is impacted by a water emergency, restoration can cost $50,000 or more.
If you’re wondering about what your own estimated costs might be, this guide breaks down how restoration companies price out water damage restoration jobs. You can review the categories and cost ranges below to get a better idea of where you stand.
What Factors Determine the Cost of Water Damage Restoration in 2025?
Restoration teams take many components of water damage cases into consideration. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a non-profit organization that develops and promotes standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. They establish and maintain best practices, guidelines, and standards for professionals in these fields, ensuring they adhere to recognized industry standards. These are some of the top factors that impact how much you’ll spend.
Water Damage Class
The classes of water damage determine the level of damage and the estimated rate of water evaporation. While cases vary based on other factors, you can generally expect Class 1 water damage to cost less than Classes 3 or 4.
- Slow Rate of Evaporation (Class 1): Includes limited damage and affects a portion of a room and materials with low permeance.
- Fast Rate of Evaporation (Class 2): Includes significant damage and applies to at least one entire room, impacting both low-permeance materials as well as carpeting and cushioning.
- Fastest Rate of Evaporation (Class 3): Includes severe damage, usually coming from overhead and saturating the walls, ceilings, and floors.
- Specialty Drying Situations (Class 4): Reserved for situations of severe water damage impacting stone, hardwood, brick, and other materials with very low permeance.
Water Damage Category
The categories of water damage are based on the level of contamination of the water. The most contaminated category, black water, requires biohazard cleanup services and tends to be more expensive.
Clean Water (Category 1)
The most sanitary water, from sources such as rainwater, melting ice, uncontaminated toilet water, and water from supply lines.
Grey Water (Category 2)
Significantly contaminated water, from sources like overflowing washing machines, broken aquarium water, and toilet water containing urine.
Black Water (Category 3)
The most contaminated water, from sources such as sewage leakage, flooding, and toilet overflow containing feces.
Size of Affected Area
Is the water damage limited to one room, or has it impacted multiple areas of the home? Some restoration companies factor in square footage to determine the cost of a restoration job.
Local Labor and Material Rates
The cost of local labor and your home’s structural materials varies based on where you live in the United States. Cities in California, for example, may have higher costs than towns in landlocked states. In addition, the likelihood of storms and weather events in a given area can drive up water damage restoration costs.
Mold Development
Has the water damage led to mold development? Your restoration company will check for mold and, if present, proceed with mold remediation, which will be factored into the final cost.
Reconstruction Needs
While restoration includes removing water, drying the space, and preventing mold, reconstruction addresses physical repairs and rebuilding. Reconstruction costs vary based on the extent of damage.
Water Damage Restoration Reconstruction Cost Breakdown
Many of the estimates here are based on data gathered by Angi, which pooled restoration experts across the United States. From this data, as well as your case of water damage, you can make your own estimates. For example, if only a small portion of your flooring has been damaged, and it is Category 1 water, you might expect to be on the lower end of the price range for flooring damage.
On the other hand, water damage restoration that requires significant home reconstruction typically falls on the higher end of price ranges. Reconstruction is the most expensive and time consuming phase of water damage recovery, sometimes including custom materials, insurance delays, and, in California, code compliance issues.
Plumbing and Electrical Repairs
Plumbing repairs can include leaking or burst pipes, clogged drains, leaking faucets, and sewage backups. Plumbing problems sometimes lead to electrical issues, particularly in cases when water gets into outlets. The combination of water damage, plumbing, and electrical repairs, such as rewiring, can cost anywhere from $350 to $4,000 or more. Angi also provides additional ranges for bathroom fixtures that are common sources of water damage:
Toilet repairs: $140–$400
Bathtub or shower repairs: $200–$800
Structural Repairs
If your water damage impacts foundational parts of your home, you will need structural repairs. This may include framing, beams, and other foundational repairs. Costs are determined by the amount of the damage and engineering needs and can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Mold Remediation
Water damage that is not addressed for 24-72 hours can create an additional mold problem that requires remediation. On average, mold remediation costs about $2,300—but similar to water damage restoration, the specifics of your mold case will determine your final cost.
Flooring Replacement
Flooring damage is common in basement flooding and other sources of water damage. The job may require partial or whole flooring replacement. Expect to pay on average between $200–$3,000. Costs will vary depending on whether the subfloor needs to be replaced and the type and cost of your flooring material–carpet, laminate, hardwood, vinyl, or tile.
Roof Repairs
If you’re dealing with storm damage or a severely weathered roof, there may be a greater likelihood of water leaking through to the interior of your home structures. Roof restoration can range from $400 for smaller jobs to $2,000 or more for severe damage.
Ceiling Repairs
Your ceiling does not need to be actively leaking to need repairs. Any sign of moisture requires an inspection by a water damage professional. Ceiling repairs are anywhere from $450 to $1,600.
Cabinetry and Millwork
If a ceiling leak, plumbing leak, or other source of moisture impacts your cabinetry, the restoration team will help you determine whether repair or replacement is the best course of action. HomeGuide provides an average of $120–$600 for cabinet repairs, but new cabinets to replace damaged ones can cost thousands of dollars or more.
Drywall and Insulation Replacement
Similar to cases of water damage on ceilings, drywall moisture must be addressed quickly to avoid worsening damage to your walls. If the drywall or insulation has been affected by mold, it must be replaced. On average, one wall is $300–$850.
Painting and Refinishing
For many home parts, painting or refinishing is the final step of repair that improves the furniture’s appearance and protects its surfaces. Costs vary depending on the size and type of furniture that needs painting or finishing. Expect small coffee tables, dining chairs, and similarly sized items to cost a few hundred dollars. Larger furniture items, such as a dresser, may be a couple of thousand dollars.
Appliance Repairs
In cases of severe water damage, you may need to replace impacted appliances altogether. Repairs to a washing machine, dishwasher, or other appliance will vary, but Angi estimates $175–$500 per appliance.
This is not an exhaustive list of repair types you may need, and restoration companies may work with their own cost ranges. Call your local restoration company, and a technician will be able to provide the most accurate estimate based on your case.
Choose Flood Response for Professional Water Damage Restoration
Even in minor cases of water damage, dealing with an unexpected water emergency can be stressful. Flood Response, a trusted restoration company serving Southern California communities, eases some of that cost anxiety by offering, advocacy, transparency and professionalism throughout the restoration process.
Since 2002, our IICRC-trained and certified technicians have restored the properties of families and business owners, helping rebuild their lives in the face of disaster. We act quickly to remove any water in your building, dry the area, and mitigate the damage. Flood Response also works directly with insurance companies, communicating on your behalf so you can focus on recovery.
Contact Flood Response for emergency water removal in Southern California (Coachella Valley). Call us (760) 343-3933 for immediate water removal. For non-immediate water damage restoration services, feel free to request a quote.
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Sources
https://homeguide.com/costs/water-damage-restoration-cost
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-repair-water-damage.htm
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-mold-remediation-service-cost.htm
https://homeguide.com/costs/cabinet-repair-cost
https://www.angi.com/articles/custom-cabinets-cost.htm
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