When your house breaks at 2 a.m.,
the answer shouldn't take all night.
Plain-English cost guides and fix plans for the emergencies that actually happen — written from published national price data, updated as we verify real quotes.
Start here: the guides below tell you what to do in the first 10 minutes, what the repair honestly costs, and what your insurance will (and won't) cover — no fluff, no 2,000-word preamble.
We're an independent guide site. When you want hands-on help now, we match you with vetted local restoration and repair pros — they pay us, you pay nothing for the match.
Emergency right now? Start with the 10-minute plan
- My basement is flooded — the first 10 minutes decide your bill →
- A pipe burst or froze — shut-off valve drill + repair cost → · it just burst: first 10 minutes
- Fire & smoke damage — real restoration ranges + what insurance pays →
- Water under the slab? — signs, real cost ranges ($1,500–$15,000) →
- Water heater leaking — safe shut-off + what the fix costs → · roof leak dripping inside?
What will this cost me? (the question everyone asks first)
| Job | Typical national range | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Flooded basement cleanup | $500 – $10,000+ | Full breakdown → |
| Water damage restoration (whole home) | $1,300 – $5,700 avg | Cost guide → |
| Burst / frozen pipe repair | $150 – $2,100 | Cost & fix → |
| Basement waterproofing | $500 – $15,000+ | Cost by method → |
| Sewage cleanup | $800 – $8,000 | Cost & what's covered → |
| Slab leak repair | $1,500 – $15,000 | Cost & signs → |
| Ceiling water damage repair | $500 – $5,000 | Ceiling guide → |
Ranges are aggregated from published national contractor estimates and major cost sources. We mark every number we verify with real quotes. Ranges are not your final price — the calculator gives you a situation-specific estimate. Sources & methodology →
Insurance before you panic-spend
Half the fight is paperwork. Does homeowners insurance cover water damage? — the short answer nobody gives you, plus the checklist that gets claims approved.
The insurance fight, won in advance
The claim-proof checklist — the exact photo sequence, belongings table, and journal format that gets claims approved. Free printable PDF →
How long until my house is dry and livable?
The realistic restoration timeline — drying days by material, and what "Category 1/2/3 water" actually means for your family.
Want a pro handling it today?
Tell us your ZIP and what broke — we email you 2–3 vetted local restoration pros with availability. Free for you.
Don't see pros for your ZIP? Find a verified one yourself — 3 steps
- Search the IICRC pro directory — iicrc.org/find-a-pro lists water/fire restoration firms with active certification. Enter your ZIP; pick one with a 24/7 phone line.
- Check your state license — every legit restoration/plumbing firm is searchable in its state contractor registry (Texas: TDLR license lookup; most states: search "[your state] contractor license lookup"). License number in the footer or on the truck = ask for it and verify. 60 seconds, prevents the worst hires.
- Ask your insurer's adjuster — carriers keep preferred-vendor lists (state farm, allstate, progressive all have them) and a same-day direct repair line. If your loss is a claim, that line often responds faster than any public search.
Still stuck? Email [email protected] with your ZIP — we're expanding coverage metro by metro, and if we can't match you we'll point you to the best free directory for your county.
Last reviewed: November 2026.