Check Your Restoration Estimate
Before You Sign
ClaimCure is an independent guide to restoration estimates. We explain what drives the cost of water, mold, sewage, fire and storm damage work and link to official sources, for 500+ US cities.
Why Restoration Estimates Are Hard to Judge
When disaster strikes your home, you need help fast and rarely have time to compare quotes. Estimates are often long, itemized and full of unfamiliar terms.
Many contractors and insurers build estimates with estimating software such as Xactimate. Each line item should describe the work, how it is measured and the rate used. If a line is vague, duplicated or unexplained, you can ask for it to be clarified in writing before you sign.
ClaimCure does not publish price figures. Instead, each guide lists the factors that move an estimate up or down and links to official public sources. ClaimCure is not a licensed adjuster, attorney or contractor and this is not legal, insurance or financial advice.
What Drives Restoration Cost
There is no single national price. These factors move an estimate up or down for any type of damage.
- Extent of the damage: how many rooms, floors and materials are affected.
- Type of damage: clean water, sewage, mold, smoke and storm damage each need different work and disposal.
- Materials: what can be dried or cleaned and what must be removed and replaced.
- Equipment and time: drying, air filtration and the days they run.
- Hidden damage found once work begins.
- Local labor and material prices, permits and code upgrades.
Ask any contractor for an itemized, written estimate and compare more than one. Official guidance:
Find Your City's Cost Guide
Select a damage type to see what drives the cost in your area and links to official guidance.
Water Damage Restoration
Water extraction, structural drying, and moisture remediation
Check Your Area →Mold Remediation
Mold testing, containment, removal, and prevention
Sewage Cleanup
Category 3 water extraction, decontamination, and sanitation
Fire & Smoke Removal
Smoke damage cleanup, soot removal, odor elimination, and fire restoration
Check Your Area →Free Tools for Homeowners
Free resources to help you review an estimate.
Estimate BS Detector
Is Your Restoration Estimate Hiding Ghost Fees?
Interactive HTML Tool
Get Free Tool →Health Risk Scorecard
Is Your Home Making You Sick After Water or Mold Damage?
PDF Download
Get Free Tool →Claims Filing Cheat Sheet
Don't Let Your Insurance Company Deny Your Legitimate Claim
PDF Download
Get Free Tool →Sewage Decontamination Log
Track Every Step of Your Sewage Cleanup for Insurance and Safety
Printable PDF
Get Free Tool →Restoration Price Map
What Should Restoration Actually Cost in Your City?
Interactive HTML Tool
Get Free Tool →How ClaimCure Works
Three steps to knowing if your restoration estimate is fair.
Share Your Estimate
Send us your restoration estimate through the contact form. An itemized estimate with quantities and rates works best.
We Audit It
We read the estimate line by line and flag items that are unclear or unexplained, so you know what to ask your contractor.
You Save
You get plain-language notes on which lines to ask about. Use them when you talk to your contractor or insurer.
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