Restoration is one of the few trades where pricing is largely standardized. Most carriers and most reputable contractors estimate in Xactimate, which publishes regionally-updated unit pricing for every line item. That means the variation between honest estimates is almost never about rate — it is about scope.
Typical cost ranges
| Scenario | Typical range | Main drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Single room, clean water, caught early | $1,200 – $4,500 | Extraction, 3–5 days equipment |
| Multiple rooms, clean water | $5,000 – $15,000 | Area, equipment count, some demolition |
| Category 3 (sewage / floodwater), one room | $3,500 – $9,000 | Material removal, disinfection, disposal |
| Whole floor, contaminated water | $15,000 – $40,000+ | Extensive removal plus rebuild |
| Mould remediation, contained area | $800 – $2,500 | Containment, HEPA, disposal |
| Mould remediation, multi-room | $6,000 – $20,000+ | Testing, clearance, reconstruction |
The five variables that actually move the price
- 1.Water category. Clean supply water can often be dried in place. Category 3 means porous materials are removed and disposed of as contaminated waste — a fundamentally larger scope.
- 2.Elapsed time. Water discovered within hours is a drying project. Water that sat for a week is a demolition and remediation project, and it reclassifies to Category 3 regardless of the original source.
- 3.Affected square footage and cubic volume. Dehumidification is sized by cubic footage, not floor area, so vaulted ceilings genuinely cost more to dry.
- 4.Material types. Concrete, plaster and hardwood hold moisture far longer than drywall and carpet, extending equipment days.
- 5.Whether reconstruction is included. Mitigation and rebuild are separate cost centres, and rebuild is usually the larger of the two.
What insurance typically pays for
Sudden and accidental discharge is covered by most standard homeowners policies: burst supply lines, water heater failures, appliance hose ruptures, and rain entering through a storm-created opening. Rising surface water is never covered without a separate flood policy. Sewer and drain backup requires a specific endorsement that is inexpensive and worth having.
Mould coverage is the area most homeowners get wrong. Many Texas policies cap mould remediation at a fixed dollar amount — often $5,000 to $10,000 — and only when the mould resulted from a covered water loss. Mould from long-term humidity or deferred maintenance is excluded entirely.
How to compare estimates properly
- Ask whether the estimate is written in Xactimate. If not, ask why.
- Check for a cavity drying or injection drying line item on any loss that reached wall assemblies.
- Confirm antimicrobial application is included, not an upsell after demolition starts.
- Verify daily moisture documentation is a deliverable, not an optional extra.
- Confirm whether reconstruction is in scope or whether you will be hiring a second contractor.
- Ask what happens if the drying takes longer than estimated — day rate or included?
Is it worth filing a claim?
If the loss is at or below your deductible, self-paying almost always makes sense. Between one and two times the deductible it is a genuine judgement call weighed against premium impact. Above about three times the deductible, filing is nearly always correct. We will give you a written scope before you have to decide.