Water damage restoration quotes get generated quickly, often while you're still anxious about the damage itself. A few things are worth confirming before you sign anything.
Water category matters
Restoration companies classify water as clean, gray, or black, based on contamination level — this affects what needs to be removed versus dried in place. The category should be documented, not just assumed.
What a thorough quote documents
- Drying equipment placement and how many days it will run, with moisture readings tracked over that period, not just "until it looks dry."
- What's being removed versus dried — drywall, insulation, and flooring below a certain moisture threshold are often removed rather than dried, especially with gray or black water.
- Mold prevention treatment, since the two issues are closely linked.
- Itemized line items rather than a lump sum — insurance claims typically require an itemized estimate (often in a standard format like Xactimate), so ask for one even if you're paying out of pocket.
If insurance is involved
Get the restoration company's estimate before assuming it matches what your insurance adjuster will approve — these two numbers don't always agree, and knowing the gap early avoids a surprise later.