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Water damage can happen to anyone, even those who have their plumbing checked annually. It can be costly to repair, but the exact price is difficult to pinpoint. The cost of water damage repair is complex as you’ll need to consider many factors. These include the extent of the water damage, whether it’s covered by your insurance and which company you enlist to help you address the issue.
Below, we’ll delve into the different variables that can influence water damage restoration costs.
Estimated Costs of Water Damage Restoration and Repairs
If you’re looking for a dollar estimate to start with, Home Advisor has the national average pegged at $3,285, with a low-end restoration costing as little as $450. However, extensive repairs can cost as much as $13,000.
The cost can go up to a thousand dollars for mid-range homes with typical water damage issues on walls, carpets, and floors due to leaky indoor plumbing. However, if the damage reaches the ceiling, subflooring, and insulation, and if multiple rooms are affected, the cost can go as high as $3,000. The sum can go higher with long-standing floodings, like in the aftermath of a natural calamity.
However, these rates are mere estimates, and the actual cost in Minnetonka can be different. As previously mentioned, property restoration experts consider several factors to come up with a ballpark estimate.
Factors Affecting the Average Cost of Repairs After Water Damage
Like any home improvement project, the total cost of water damage restoration depends on the severity of the damage and the work that must be done to restore the property’s original appearance and integrity. The rule of thumb is the more extensive the damage, the more expensive the repairs.
Here’s a list of the factors that have a direct impact on the average cost of repairs after water damage:
- Type of water that caused the damage
- Damaged components or fixtures that need replacing
- Size of the damage
- Required restoration work
- Additional problems
Here’s a breakdown of each variable and how they factor into the total cost of repairs:
Type of Water
There are three types of water in residences: clean, gray, and black.
Clean water is water that comes from the mains and rainwater tanks. It’s much easier, faster, and cheaper to clean up (you may even be able to do it without hiring a professional).
Gray water is water from appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, and dishwashers. Water from showering is also classified as gray water. Though not as pristine as clean water, rooms and things flooded with gray water are still better off cleaned and repaired by professionals and will cost more.
Black water is from the sewers and is highly contaminated. Floodwater from hurricanes is also black water. Cleanup and repairs for black water damage take more time and are more expensive because you’re dealing with toxic water that brings diseases. Unlike clean water damage, where you can let soaked objects and surfaces dry, black water damage requires replacement and structural rehabilitation.
Damaged Fixtures and Structures
The parts that are damaged directly impact the total cost of restoration. If the flood drained and the affected areas dried quickly, the damage might be superficial. If this is the case, you may only have to spend for disinfection, repainting, or refinishing.
However, if you have wooden floors that have warped because of prolonged submersion, or if the water penetrated the walls and flooring, reached the insulation and damaged the material, then the work, materials, and cost will increase accordingly.
Simply put, the more extensive and severe the damage, the higher the total cost.
Size and Scope
The area of the damage also matters, for example, you can have a portion of a wall and insulation that’s damaged, and we have established that it is more expensive to restore than mere paint discoloration. But, if the damage is small, then the cost shouldn’t be astronomical.
Here’s another example for context: restoration for a water-damaged cupboard will be more affordable than a flooded basement. Both may have flaking or peeling paint, waterlogged sheetrock, and warped drywall, but one is more significant – and therefore more expensive – than the other.
Required Restoration
Another factor that can drive restoration costs up is the extra restoration work that needs to be done after the repairs. When replacing drywall, for example, you’re not just putting in new insulation and nailing fresh sheetrock. You also have to paint the new wall, apply wallpaper, or install wainscotting, baseboard, and crown molding to match the rest of the room. These additions will be necessary if you want to restore your home to its original appearance and form.
Additional Problems
Water damage that’s left unaddressed sometimes lead to mold, mildew, pervasive musty odors, electrical damage, and structural issues. This happens to houses that have been subject to long-term flooding or standing water for days, weeks, or months. Unsurprisingly, the restoration cost can increase dramatically when these problems emerge.
How to Minimize the Cost of Water Damage Restoration
Since numerous factors can raise the cost of restoration, it makes sense to try and cut costs where possible. Here are some things you can do without compromising your property’s structural integrity and the safety of the people who’ll use it:
- If possible, stop the water source immediately to prevent escalation. Turn off the mains and the electricity in the affected rooms for safety.
- Drain pooling water and dry the affected areas thoroughly as quickly as possible.
- Open the windows in your home to facilitate ventilation and dry out the saturated parts of the house.
- Call your insurance company to verify the coverage for repairs.
- Consult water damage restoration experts. It costs less to find and repair structural damage early than wait for the problem to become more severe.
Trust Minnetonka’s Leading Water Damage Restoration Team
Cost is a legitimate concern for anyone dealing with water damage. However, the expense of restoring your home will pay off in higher property appraisals and fewer medical bills for respiratory diseases and other health problems associated with exposure to floodwater. You can also reduce the average cost of repairs after water damage by following our tips above.
If your property has suffered water damage, get in touch with Restoration 1, Minnetonka’s top water damage restoration company. You can reach our 24/7 hotline when you experience a water damage emergency. We can also help if you are moving into a new house with signs of water damage. Our reconstruction crew’s cosmetic and structural repairs will make your home safe once again for you and your family.
Call Restoration 1 of Minnetonka at (952) 522-3044 or fill out our contact form.
