Water damage restoration companies respond to burst pipes, appliance leaks, sewage backups, roof leaks, and storm flooding. They extract water, set drying equipment, remove materials that can't be saved, and document the drying process. Most invoices go to a homeowner and an insurance carrier at the same time, so the paperwork has to satisfy both.
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Most mitigation work is billed by line item rather than one flat price. Common units are square feet affected for extraction, demolition, and antimicrobial treatment, per unit per day for drying equipment (air movers, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers), and per hour for technician labor. Many companies add an emergency response or minimum service fee. Insurance-paid jobs are often priced against a carrier-accepted price list, and some carriers push back on rates above it, so know what your local adjusters accept. Contents pack-out is billed by the hour, the box, or the item count. Reconstruction (new drywall, flooring, paint) is usually quoted as a separate project. Disposal and dumpster fees, and any subcontractor work, are normally billed at cost plus markup.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency response / minimum service fee | flat fee | $150-500 |
| Water extraction (standing water) | per sq ft | $0.75-2.50 |
| Air mover | per unit per day | $25-35 |
| LGR dehumidifier | per unit per day | $70-120 |
| HEPA air scrubber | per unit per day | $90-130 |
| Demolition (drywall flood cut, baseboard, wet pad and carpet removal) | per sq ft | $1-3 |
| Antimicrobial application | per sq ft | $0.25-0.75 |
| Technician labor | per hour | $55-95 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency response, after-hours arrival, moisture mapping and initial assessment | 1 flat fee | $275.00 | $275.00 |
| Water extraction, kitchen and hallway (Category 1, Class 2) | 600 sq ft | $1.50 | $900.00 |
| Air movers, set for 3 days (8 units) | 24 unit-days | $30.00 | $720.00 |
| LGR dehumidifiers, set for 3 days (2 units) | 6 unit-days | $95.00 | $570.00 |
| Flood cut drywall 2 ft high and remove baseboard, wet carpet pad removal | 120 sq ft | $2.00 | $240.00 |
| Antimicrobial application to affected surfaces and cavities | 600 sq ft | $0.50 | $300.00 |
| Total | $3,005.00 | ||
Notes: Loss date: supply line failure, kitchen. Insurance claim # and adjuster listed on work authorization. Drying logs and photos attached. Customer deductible is due on completion; the balance is billed to the carrier under the signed direct-pay authorization. Any amount the carrier does not pay is the customer's responsibility. Balance due within 30 days of invoice date.
Carriers use these to judge response and confirm the loss date. Disputes about when the water started are common.
Category 1, 2, or 3 and Class 1 to 4 justify the equipment count, the demolition, and the antimicrobial treatment.
Equipment is billed per unit per day, so adjusters check the day count against your drying logs.
Daily readings show why equipment stayed on site and when materials reached dry standard. Without them, carriers often cut equipment days.
This routes the invoice to the right person and avoids delays in payment.
It proves the customer approved the work and your right to be paid by the carrier.
Pass-through costs are scrutinized. Clear receipts make them easier to approve.
Many states require a contractor license for this work or for rebuilding, and carriers often prefer certified firms. Check your local rules.
For insurance jobs, many companies collect the deductible at the start of work or on completion, and bill the carrier for the rest under a signed direct-pay authorization. Carriers commonly pay in two to six weeks, so state net 30 terms. Some companies ask for a deposit or full payment up front on cash jobs with no claim, or progress billing on large losses. Late fees such as 1.5% per month are common if you state them on the work authorization and invoice, though state rules on interest vary. Accept checks, ACH, and credit cards, and consider a card on file for the deductible.
Daily moisture readings and photos are your best defense when a carrier challenges equipment days or demolition. Record them as you go and attach them to the invoice.
Even on an emergency call, get a signature on the authorization, direct-pay agreement, and a statement that the customer is responsible for any unpaid balance. This protects you if the carrier denies part of the claim.
Count from the day you set it to the day you remove it. Pulling equipment promptly once readings meet the dry goal keeps you credible with adjusters.
If you find hidden wet insulation or a wider affected area after the first estimate, tell the adjuster right away with photos and an updated scope instead of adding it to the final invoice.
The deductible is the customer's debt to you, and it is much harder to collect after the house is dry. Ask for it on completion at the latest.
The homeowner is your customer and is responsible for the bill. If they sign a direct-pay authorization, you can send the invoice to the carrier and collect the deductible from the homeowner. Put both parties and the claim number on the invoice.
You bill each equipment unit for every day it is on site and running. Monitoring visits may be billed as labor or included in your equipment rate. Be consistent, and check what your local carriers accept.
Provide your drying logs, photos, and authorization, and ask for a written explanation of what was cut. Your authorization should state that the customer owes any balance the carrier doesn't pay. Check your state's rules before pursuing it.
It varies. Some states license mitigation or require a general contractor license for demolition and rebuilding, while others do not. IICRC certification is a industry standard, not a legal requirement in most places. Check with your state licensing board.
Stop and document it. Mold remediation is usually a separate scope, estimate, and authorization, and some states require a separate license or testing. Do not add it to the mitigation invoice without customer and carrier approval.
Send a Water Damage Restoration estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Water Damage Restoration estimate template