Water damage costs depend on what kind of water it was, how long it sat and what it soaked. Here's what drives the bill, what to ask, and what to avoid. We don't list prices: every loss is different.
What affects the cost
- Source: clean supply water, gray water, sewage or floodwater
- How long the water sat before drying started
- Area affected and materials: carpet, pad, drywall, plaster, hardwood
- Number of days of drying equipment
- Mold testing and remediation
- Demolition and rebuild
- After-hours emergency response
- Insurance documentation
Questions to ask
- Are your technicians certified in water damage restoration (for example, IICRC)?
- Will you take moisture readings every day and share them with me?
- Will you work directly with my insurer, and what do you need from me?
- What will you remove, and why?
- Is mold testing recommended, and is the tester independent?
- Who handles the rebuild once everything is dry?
Red flags
- Asking you to sign over your insurance claim before explaining the scope
- Pressure to rebuild before materials are dry
- Spraying for mold without fixing the moisture
- Vague invoices without daily drying logs
Missouri vs. Illinois
- Standard homeowners policies usually exclude rising floodwater; flood coverage is separate, for example through the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Neither Missouri nor Illinois licenses water damage restoration companies statewide.
- In Illinois, home repair contractors must give you the consumer rights pamphlet before work.
New work order
Step 1 of 3