What restoration work typically costs

The figures below are national averages and ranges from published cost guides, not quotes. Prices in the Virgin Valley can differ because of travel distance, local labor rates and the size of the job. The only reliable number is a written estimate from a provider who has seen the damage.

Cost ranges at a glance

Water, fire and smoke figures are from Angi. Biohazard figures are from published biohazard cost guides. Links are listed at the bottom of this page.

What drives water damage costs

• Category of water. Clean water from a supply line is the least expensive to handle. Gray water costs more, and Category 3 water from sewage or flooding costs the most because porous materials are removed and crews need protective equipment. See water damage restoration.
• Square footage and materials. A wet tile bathroom is quick. Carpet, pad, laminate, drywall, insulation and cabinets across several rooms take more labor and more equipment days.
• Time. The longer water sits, the more material has to come out and the greater the chance of mold. The EPA's 24 to 48 hour drying window is as much a cost issue as a health one.
• Hidden water. Slab leaks and leaks inside walls usually cost more because water has traveled further than it appears.
• Equipment days. Dehumidifiers and air movers are typically billed per unit per day. Slabs, plaster and hardwood take longer to dry.
• Rebuild. Mitigation (extraction and drying) and reconstruction (drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets) are often separate estimates. Matching discontinued tile or flooring can add significant cost.

What drives fire and smoke costs

• How far smoke traveled. A stovetop fire with smoke in two rooms costs far less than smoke pulled through the whole house by the HVAC system.
• Type of residue. Protein residue from kitchen fires and oily soot from burning plastics take more labor than dry soot.
• Water from firefighting, which adds a full water damage job on top of the fire cleanup.
• Structural and electrical damage, which require licensed trades, permits and inspections.
• Contents cleaning, which can be a large share of the total. See smoke odor removal.

What drives mold costs

The EPA groups mold jobs as small (under about 10 square feet), medium (about 10 to 100 square feet) and large (over 100 square feet). Cost tracks those categories closely, because larger areas need more containment, air scrubbers, removal and often clearance testing. Location matters too: mold under a sink cabinet is simpler than mold in an attic, inside a wall cavity or in ductwork. Mold remediation is often part of a water damage job, and the cost of fixing the moisture source is usually separate. See mold remediation.

What drives biohazard costs

For unattended death and trauma cleanup, the biggest factors are how much time passed, how many layers of flooring and subfloor are affected, the number of rooms, odor treatment, and disposal of regulated waste. Hoarding cleanup is usually priced by volume and time. In Nevada, the Victims of Crime Program can help eligible families pay for crime scene cleanup. See biohazard cleanup.

Call for an assessment

How insurance affects what you pay

If the loss is covered, the homeowner typically pays the deductible and anything outside the covered scope, such as the plumbing repair or upgrades. Many restoration providers bill insurance directly. The Nevada Division of Insurance advises getting a written estimate before repairs begin, not paying a contractor the full amount up front, and not signing over the insurance settlement. More detail is on the insurance guide.

Comparing estimates

• Ask for an itemized estimate, not a lump sum.
• Compare scopes, not just totals. One estimate may include rebuild and another only drying.
• Check the license number with the Nevada State Contractors Board, or the Arizona Registrar of Contractors for Arizona jobs.
• Ask how many equipment days are estimated and how drying will be verified.
• Be wary of estimates far below the others, which may leave out removal that will later be needed.