Water damage restoration costs, modeled from public records.
Restoration pricing is opaque at the worst possible moment. RestoreMeter builds budgeting estimates from public data — Bureau of Labor Statistics trade wages in every state and IICRC S500 water categories — with every assumption published, so you can sanity-check a quote in one minute.
Educational budgeting estimate only — not a quote, appraisal, insurance estimate, or coverage determination. Actual cost requires an on-site inspection and a written scope. Not affiliated with IICRC, BLS, FEMA, NFIP, Verisk, or Xactimate.
Standing water gets more expensive by the hour — mold risk starts inside 24–72 hours. Estimate your cost, then get a local pro on site.
Cost varies 69% by state — here's the data
The same job priced in New Jersey and Arkansas differs by the cost of the crew. We compute a labor index for every state from BLS 2025 mean wages for the three trades that do this work. Browse all 51 markets or jump to the extremes:
| State | Labor index | Modeled 400 sq ft Cat 2 | Blended trade wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 1.28 | $2,700–$6,200 | $35.84/hr |
| Illinois | 1.26 | $2,650–$6,150 | $35.35/hr |
| Hawaii | 1.23 | $2,600–$6,000 | $34.25/hr |
| Massachusetts | 1.22 | $2,600–$6,000 | $34.24/hr |
| Minnesota | 1.21 | $2,550–$5,950 | $33.72/hr |
| Oklahoma | 0.81 | $1,900–$4,600 | $22.8/hr |
| Louisiana | 0.81 | $1,900–$4,550 | $22.59/hr |
| Mississippi | 0.77 | $1,800–$4,400 | $21.46/hr |
| Alabama | 0.76 | $1,800–$4,400 | $21.33/hr |
| Arkansas | 0.76 | $1,800–$4,400 | $21.18/hr |
Know what you're dealing with
The first 24 hours
Safety, stopping the source, and what to document before anyone touches anything.
Pricing driver #1Categories 1, 2, 3
Why sewage costs 2× clean water, and how category escalates while you wait.
InsuranceWill insurance pay?
Sudden-vs-gradual, the flood exclusion, and sewer backup endorsements, plainly.