What Is the Average Cost of Water Damage Repair?
Repairing water damage can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. With such a costly fix, it’s essential to know what you’re looking at before pursuing professional assistance.
Table of Contents
This guide reviews the factors that influence the overall cost incurred by water damage repair and what you can do to lessen the financial burden.
What is the Typical Cost for Water Damage Restoration?
As we mentioned above, the cost of water damage restoration (sometimes also called water damage remediation) can vary enormously. Here’s what you should expect depending on where the damage level, the footage affected, and the labor costs:
Category One Water Damage
The most inexpensive type of water damage usually only requires basic cleanup. Examples of category one damage include leaks from sink pipes or an overflowing faucet resulting in a partially ruined carpet.
You can often clean up category one instances without professional intervention. If you call someone, you should expect to pay less than $200.
Read more: How Much Does It Cost To Detect A Water Leak?
Category Two Water Damage
If an entire space is affected by water, it is considered category two. The water will have likely affected the structure of the walls or floorboards, which involves more invasive treatment.
The cost between category one and two sees a significant leap, as you can expect to spend between $500 or $1000 depending on the extent of the damage.
Category Three Water Damage
When water has come through the ceiling or walls, it results in structural saturation. This stage is where the costs start to rise. You will require a professional inspection and repair and may need complete drywall and wall replacement.
With category three damage, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1000 and $3000.
Category Four Water Damage
The final category, denoting the most extreme instances, is usually reserved for damage caused by natural disasters such as flooding or hurricane. In these instances, brickwork, hardwood, or stone will have become saturated.
As these materials don’t ordinarily absorb water, it can be far more expensive to rectify the problem. The estimates may vary, but they are often in the thousands.
In addition to the four categories, additional factors can dictate the overall price of repair. These are listed below.
The Extent of the Damage
How much of a room is affected by the water will drive up the costs. If an entire room or multiple rooms are concerned, you should expect to pay higher prices to have it repaired.
The potential for damage spreading is why it’s essential to act quickly when you notice a leak, as it can get far worse swiftly, resulting in higher payments down the line.
Labor Costs
A significant contributor to the repair price is how much work it will take to resolve. Water remediation is no easy process, especially if the damage is severe. The more prolonged and more arduous the repair process is, the more expensive it will be.
There are four types of remediation that you can seek:
- Cosmetic: primarily relating to discoloration or repairs that relate predominantly to appearance
- Structural: generally more costly, these repairs require more invasive work
- Mold and Bacterial: where prolonged damp has caused mold cultures to grow
- Electrical: potentially the most dangerous, where water has interacted with wiring or similar electrical outlets
Depending on which one (or more) of these relates to your circumstance, the labor costs will increase.
Minimizing the Cost of Water Damage Repair
There are steps you can take to reduce the cost of water damage. We advise the following.
Waterproof Belongings Ahead of Time
Water damage isn’t always easy to spot, but waterproofing your furniture is a good idea if your state has issued a flood or hurricane warning.
You can do this by covering the item in sheet plastic to prevent it from getting completely soaked. It isn’t a perfect solution, but it is certainly better than nothing.
If possible, try to move your possessions to a higher floor to make them less accessible for the water.
Set Aside Emergency Money
As our approximate repair prices have already shown you, water repair can get expensive quickly. Having some money set aside expressly to pay for repairs will make the financial blow feel that much easier.
If possible, we recommend setting aside a few thousand just in case. It is especially important if your home is in an area that frequently sees natural disasters.
Solve the Problem ASAP
Our final piece of advice is to solve any problems you discover as soon as possible. That leak in the ceiling might start as just an annoying drip, but it will become something worse before you know it. It isn’t worth the risk or the money.
The moment you notice a new leak or anything to give you cause for concern, contact a professional.
Contact All Dry USA Today!
If you need help with water damage repair, don’t hesitate to contact All Dry USA. We specialize in repairs of all shapes and sizes, and we are confident we can get your home back in working order. If you have any questions, feel free to call or email us. We would be happy to advise you moving forward.
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With Ben’s knowledge, and visionary leadership, All Dry USA has expanded into a national, full-service property damage restoration company with multiple locations across the United States. Ben holds numerous specialty licenses and certifications in restoration and construction.
