Water Damage Repair Cost Calculator — Estimate by Square Foot

Water damage is priced by the affected area and how dirty the water is. Enter the square footage, the per-square-foot rate for your water category, and an estimate for drying equipment.

Quick answer

Water damage restoration averages $2,000–$6,000, driven by the water category: clean water runs about $3–$4 per square foot, gray water $4–$6.50, and black (sewage) water $7–$12+. A 200 sq ft gray-water job lands near $1,800 plus drying equipment.

How this calculator works

We multiply the affected area by a per-square-foot rate set by your water category — clean (Cat 1), gray (Cat 2), or black (Cat 3) — then add drying-equipment cost for the days of dehumidifiers and air movers. The dirtier the water, the higher the rate, because more material has to be removed and sanitized.

What changes the number

Water category is the biggest driver: clean (~$3–4), gray (~$4–6.50), black/sewage (~$7–12+) per sq ft.
How long the water sat matters — mold can start within 24–48 hours, adding remediation.
Porous materials (carpet, drywall, insulation) usually get removed and replaced.
Structural drying can take 3–5 days of equipment rental.

Frequently asked questions

What are water damage categories?

Category 1 is clean water (supply line); Category 2 is gray water (appliance overflow); Category 3 is black water (sewage or flooding) and is the most expensive to remediate.

Does water damage always cause mold?

Not always, but unaddressed moisture can grow mold within 24–48 hours, which is why fast drying is critical to keeping the cost down.