What does water damage cleanup cost?
Three bills usually follow a burst pipe: the plumber who fixes the line, the restoration company that dries the house, and whoever rebuilds what had to come out. The figures below are published national ranges, not quotes; a written estimate after an inspection is the only real number.
The usual line items
| Item | Published national range |
|---|---|
| Repairing a burst pipe | $150 – $250 per linear foot |
| Extraction and drying, clean water (supply line, burst pipe) | $4 – $6 per sq ft |
| Extraction and drying, gray water (washer or dishwasher overflow) | $6 – $9 per sq ft |
| Extraction and drying, black water (sewer backup, outside floodwater) | $9 – $12 per sq ft |
| Replacing drywall | $1.50 – $3.50 per sq ft |
| Replacing carpet | $2 – $8 per sq ft |
| Installing a sump pump | $600 – $2,500 |
Source for all rows: HomeGuide, Water Damage Restoration Cost (Feb 2026). Angi’s per-square-foot figures for the same three water types are lower, about $3.50, $5.25 and $7.50 (Angi, Water Damage Repair Cost (2026)), which shows how much published averages vary.
A worked example (illustration only)
A pipe splits in a finished basement wall and soaks 200 square feet of carpet and drywall with clean water. Using the HomeGuide ranges above, drying alone would be about $800 – $1,200, before the pipe repair, new carpet pad or drywall. A bigger area, longer delay or contaminated water pushes every line up. Your estimate will differ.
Why two estimates can be far apart
- One may price drying by the square foot and another by equipment-days.
- One may include tear-out and rebuild; another may stop when the structure is dry.
- Delay matters: materials that stay wet longer are more likely to need replacing instead of drying, and the EPA’s 24–48 hour drying window is the reason. (EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home)
- Night and weekend calls can cost more, according to HomeGuide.
Insurance
Whether a burst pipe, a slow leak or groundwater is covered depends on your policy. Ask your insurer before work starts. We do not give insurance advice.
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