What restoration work typically costs

These are national figures from published cost guides, not quotes. Local prices vary, and no price is promised by calling. Always get a written, itemized estimate.

Quick reference

Water and flood damage

Angi puts the national average for water damage restoration at about $3,869. The biggest factor is the water category: about $3.50 per square foot for clean water such as a supply line, $5.25 for gray water such as a washing machine overflow, and $7.50 for black water such as floodwater or a septic backup. Flooding that comes in from outside is always black water, which is why flood cleanup costs more per square foot and usually involves removing drywall, insulation and flooring below the water line.

Manufactured homes add their own line items: opening and draining the underbelly, removing wet insulation, and replacing swollen particleboard floor decking after drying.

Septic and sewage

A FeeGuides summary citing Fixr puts sewage backup cleanup at about $2,000 to $10,000 per project. That covers the inside of the house. The septic system itself is a separate bill from a septic contractor. The EPA says household tanks are typically pumped every 3 to 5 years and inspected at least every 3 years, and regular service can prevent some backups.

Fire and smoke

Angi lists an average fire restoration cost of about $27,175 nationally, with a normal range of $3,107 to $51,243, and a Florida average of about $64,900 in its state table. Labor accounts for about 50 to 70 percent of the cost. For smoke alone, Angi groups jobs by extent:

Smoke from a nearby brush fire usually falls at the lighter end: cleaning, laundering, filter changes and sometimes duct cleaning, which Angi lists at about $150 to $800.

Call to talk through damage and next steps

Mold

The EPA says most people can clean a moldy area smaller than about 10 square feet themselves once the moisture is fixed. Larger areas, hidden mold and mold after flood or sewage water are professional jobs, which a FeeGuides summary of HomeGuide data puts at about $1,500 to $6,000. Independent assessment and clearance testing, if wanted, are billed separately.

Biohazard

FeeGuides' 2026 summary puts most biohazard cleanups at about $1,500 to $5,000. Its hourly figures from Fixr include about $200 to $300 for unattended death cleanup and about $25 to $150 for hoarding. Life-threatening hazards can reach about $25,000 according to HomeGuide.

Rural extras and hidden costs

• Well testing after a flood: about $20 to $30 per sample through county health departments, plus about $30 to $40 if staff collect the sample at the home, according to the Florida Department of Health.
• Temporary housing if the home is not livable: Angi lists about $500 to $3,000 per month.
• Emergency surcharge: about 10 to 15 percent, according to Angi.
• Equipment days. Dehumidifiers and air movers are often billed per day, so slow drying in humid weather adds cost.
• Rebuild. Many estimates cover mitigation only; drywall, paint, cabinets and flooring are separate.
• Outbuildings such as barns and garages may be estimated and insured separately.

How the deductible changes the math

Florida hurricane deductibles are commonly 2, 5 or 10 percent of the dwelling limit, and the Department of Financial Services requires the policy to show the amount in dollars. As an illustration only: on a home insured for $193,000, about Okeechobee County's median owner-occupied home value, a 2 percent hurricane deductible is $3,860. That is close to Angi's national average for a water damage job, so for many storm leaks the homeowner pays most or all of the cost. DFS still recommends reporting the claim so the amount counts toward the deductible. Non-hurricane losses, such as a burst pipe, use the regular deductible.

Before signing, confirm the estimate is itemized, check licenses for roofing, plumbing and electrical work at MyFloridaLicense.com, and avoid paying the full amount upfront.