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Water Damage Restoration Cost: What to Expect

How dirty the water is, how far it spread, and how long it sat are what drive the bill. Here is what national cost data shows and how to read an estimate.

Updated November 2026 · 5 min read

Quick answer

Angi's cost data puts the average water damage restoration job at $3,869, with most between $1,384 and $6,387. Small jobs can be as low as $450 and large ones as high as $16,000. By area, it runs about $3.50 per square foot for clean water, $5.25 for gray water and $7.50 for black water (Angi).

How much does water damage restoration cost?

  • Average job: about $3,869 (Angi).
  • Typical range: $1,384 to $6,387 (Angi).
  • Full range: as low as $450 and as high as $16,000 (Angi).

These are national figures. Your price depends on your area, the size of the job, and what has to be replaced.

Why does the type of water change the price?

Dirtier water means more protective gear, more removal and more cleaning. Angi's per-square-foot averages (Angi):

  • Clean water (Category 1, such as a supply line): $3.50
  • Gray water (Category 2, such as a washer overflow): $5.25
  • Black water (Category 3, such as sewage): $7.50

See clean, gray and black water for how the categories work, and sewage backup cleanup for what has to be thrown out.

Water still coming in or standing? A local restoration company can start water removal now.

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What does it cost by room or material?

Ranges from Angi:

  • Drywall: $300 to $850 per wall, averaging about $550
  • Flooring: $200 to $3,000 per room
  • Basement: $500 to $2,800. About an inch of clean water from a burst pipe might run $500 to $1,500, while two feet of sewage backup can cost $2,800 or more.
  • Roof: $400 to $2,000, averaging about $1,100

For other parts of the job, see the ceiling repair cost guide, the burst pipe repair cost guide and the mold remediation cost guide.

What makes the bill bigger?

  • Time. Wet materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold (EPA). After that, more drywall, pad and insulation tend to come out instead of being dried.
  • Water category. Gray and black water cost more per square foot than clean water (Angi).
  • How far it spread. Water that ran into walls, under flooring or to a lower floor means more rooms to dry and more material to remove.
  • Rebuild. Drying and removal are one job, and replacing drywall, flooring and cabinets is another. See mitigation vs. restoration.

Will insurance pay for it?

It depends on the cause. Homeowners insurance may cover sudden and accidental water damage, depending on the cause and your policy. Gradual damage from wear and tear or lack of maintenance is generally not covered (Angi; Insurance Information Institute).

Angi suggests contacting your insurer before starting repairs, because the insurer will want the damage assessed to decide what it will cover (Angi). Drying usually can't wait, so photograph everything and ask the insurer what it needs. See does homeowners insurance cover water damage?

How do you read a restoration estimate?

  • Water removal and drying: extraction, then dehumidifiers and air movers billed by the day.
  • Removal: wet carpet pad, drywall cut above the water line, insulation.
  • Cleaning: antimicrobial treatment, especially for gray or black water.
  • Monitoring: moisture readings each day until materials are dry.
  • Rebuild: often a separate estimate.

Ask for daily moisture readings in writing, and ask why anything is being removed instead of dried. See how long water damage takes to dry.

Common questions

What is the average cost of water damage restoration?

Angi's cost data puts the average job at $3,869, with most between $1,384 and $6,387. Small jobs can be as low as $450 and large ones as high as $16,000.

How much does water damage cost per square foot?

Angi's averages are about $3.50 per square foot for clean water, $5.25 for gray water and $7.50 for black water.

Why is sewage cleanup more expensive than a clean water leak?

Sewage is black water, which needs protective gear, more removal of porous materials and disinfection. Angi's per-square-foot average for black water is more than double the clean water figure.

Does the restoration price include rebuilding?

Often not. Water removal and drying are one job, and replacing drywall, flooring and cabinets is usually a separate estimate. Ask what's included before you sign.

Related guides

Local water damage help

Each state page lists the towns we cover, with local shut-off and sewer numbers and flood notes.

Sources:

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