iDry Columbus

Water Damage Cost Calculator

Estimate what water damage restoration should cost — by area, water type, and what got wet. Itemized range, no email required.

The affected area

Roughly how many square feet are affected?

sq ft

A typical room is about 150–250 sq ft. Estimate the floor area touched by water.

Type of water

How long has it been wet?

Is the space finished?

What got wet?

Your estimate

Want a real, line-item estimate?

iDry Columbus inspects free and prices with Xactimate — the same software insurers use.

Call / Text 614-810-0000

This calculator gives general planning ranges based on typical Central Ohio restoration pricing, industry per-square-foot benchmarks, and IICRC water categories. It is not a quote. Actual cost depends on access, materials, contamination, structural damage, and your specific property — always confirm with a professional, on-site assessment.

Reading the line items on a water damage estimate

A restoration estimate lists each step of the job as its own line. Each line is the work done or the equipment used, with a quantity beside it. If you know what the lines mean, you can check that the bill matches what actually happened in your home.

What lines usually show up on a water damage estimate?

Expect lines for the emergency call, water extraction, and tearing out wet materials that can't be dried in place, like carpet pad or the bottom of drywall. There will also be lines for antimicrobial treatment, drying equipment, moisture monitoring, cleaning and debris haul-off. Category 3 water adds containment, protective gear and disinfection. Each line has a quantity, such as square feet, linear feet or equipment-days.

Why is drying equipment billed by the day?

Air movers and dehumidifiers run until the wet materials reach dry standard, and no one can know that date on the first visit. How many units you need depends on the size of the wet area and how much water soaked in. The number of days depends on the materials and on the readings taken at each check. If drying runs longer, that line grows. If the readings come down quickly, it shrinks.

Is moisture mapping a separate charge?

It is commonly listed as its own line or folded into daily monitoring. Moisture mapping means taking readings to find how far the water traveled, then re-checking those spots until they are dry. It is the record that justifies the equipment count and the drying days to your insurer. Without it, there is nothing to show why the drying took as long as it did.

How do I check a final invoice against the estimate?

Compare the quantities, not just the total. Square footage should match the wet area you saw. Equipment counts and days should line up with the drying records. Removed materials should match what was actually torn out. Ask to see the moisture readings behind any line you're unsure about. A careful company can show you why each number is on the page.

Water damage cost — frequently asked questions

How do you estimate water damage restoration cost?

Restoration cost is driven by the affected square footage, the water category (clean, gray, or black), which materials got wet, and whether the space is finished. Mitigation and drying are charged per square foot; mold remediation is added when contamination or time-wet makes it likely; and reconstruction depends on the materials replaced. This tool combines those into an itemized range.

How much does it cost to repair water damage?

Most water damage projects fall between roughly $1,400 and $6,400, with an average near $3,900, but a small clean-water spill can be a few hundred dollars while a large Category 3 (sewage or flood) loss with reconstruction can run well over $10,000. Category and affected area are the biggest drivers.

What's the difference between Category 1, 2, and 3 water?

Category 1 is clean water from a supply line or rain. Category 2 (gray) is slightly contaminated — appliance discharge, sump overflow. Category 3 (black) is grossly contaminated — sewage, flooding, ground water — and requires removal and disinfection rather than simple drying, which raises cost significantly.

Should I file an insurance claim for water damage?

If the loss is sudden and accidental and the total clearly exceeds your deductible, a claim is usually worth it. Slow leaks and flooding are commonly excluded, and small losses near your deductible may not be worth a claim on your record. See our insurance claim guide for the specifics.

Is this calculator a quote?

No. It gives general planning ranges from typical Central Ohio pricing, industry per-square-foot benchmarks, and IICRC water categories. A real quote requires an on-site inspection — access, hidden damage, and material specifics all move the number.