Water damage restoration cost in Boise and the Treasure Valley (2026)
What the national surveys say
No public dataset publishes Boise-only restoration prices, so we show several national cost surveys side by side instead of inventing a local number. They disagree, which is useful: it tells you how wide normal is.
| Source | Average | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Angi (2025 data) | $3,822 | $1,361 – $6,282 |
| LawnStarter (2026) | $3,250 | $1,270 – $5,376 |
| Thumbtack | $1,536 | $721 – $3,526 |
Cost per square foot by water category
Restoration companies follow the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard, which sorts water by contamination. The category, more than anything else, sets the price, because it decides what can be dried and what must be thrown out.
| Category | Typical source | Mitigation $/sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Clean | Burst supply pipe, water heater, ice-maker line | $3 – $4 |
| 2 – Gray | Washing machine, dishwasher, toilet overflow (urine, no feces) | $4 – $6.50 |
| 3 – Black | Sewage backup, river or surface flooding, water left standing for days | $7 – $7.50+ |
Clean water does not stay clean. Category 1 water that soaks into carpet and sits for a couple of days can become Category 2 or 3, and the price per square foot goes up with it. A frozen pipe that bursts in a crawl space over a weekend is the classic Treasure Valley example.
What is on the bill, line by line
Invoice 1: mitigation (stop and dry)
- Emergency call-out and inspection: moisture meters and thermal cameras map how far the water travelled.
- Water extraction: truck-mounted or portable extractors. Published unit rates run from about $0.50 to $1.50 per sq ft, more where water is standing.
- Structural drying: air movers and dehumidifiers, usually 3 to 5 days, billed per piece of equipment per day.
- Removal of ruined materials: wet carpet pad, the bottom 2 feet of drywall (a "flood cut"), insulation.
- Antimicrobial treatment: standard for Category 2 and 3.
- Daily moisture monitoring and a written drying log. Insurers often ask for this log.
Invoice 2: rebuild (put it back)
- Drywall: about $2 – $6 per sq ft.
- Carpet: about $2 – $8 per sq ft; hardwood: about $9 – $25 per sq ft.
- Paint, trim, baseboards, cabinets as needed.
Worked example: a burst pipe in a Meridian bedroom
An illustration, not a quote. A supply line in an outside wall freezes and splits overnight. Clean water (Category 1) soaks a carpeted bedroom and hallway, about 400 sq ft. Water wicks up the drywall along about 60 feet of wall.
| Item | How it is calculated | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Mitigation (extract, dry, remove pad) | 400 sq ft × $3 – $4 | $1,200 – $1,600 |
| Drywall after a 2-ft flood cut | 60 ft × 2 ft = 120 sq ft × $2 – $6 | $240 – $720 |
| Carpet and pad replacement | 400 sq ft × $2 – $8 | $800 – $3,200 |
| Total before paint and plumbing | $2,240 – $5,520 |
The plumber's repair of the pipe itself is separate. Now change one thing: nobody notices for three days. The carpet is likely unsalvageable, the water may be treated as Category 2 or 3, and mold work can be added. That is how the same leak becomes a five-figure claim.
Our 24/7 local pro line for Boise and the Treasure Valley is opening soon. Until then: stop the water using the steps on this page, then contact a licensed water damage restoration company in your area. Check that they are licensed and insured before work begins.
Six things that move your price
- Time before drying starts. The single biggest lever you control.
- Water category (clean, gray, black).
- Affected area and how many rooms and floors.
- Materials: hardwood, plaster and built-ins cost more than carpet and drywall.
- Where the water went: ceilings, crawl spaces and inside walls take longer to dry.
- Mold: if growth has started, remediation is added on top.
Insurance: what the numbers say
Insurance industry data (ISO/Verisk, published by the Insurance Information Institute) shows water damage and freezing claims averaged $15,400 per paid claim over 2019–2023, with about 1.5 claims per 100 insured homes per year. Water and freezing is consistently one of the two most common causes of homeowners property claims, behind wind and hail.
Why the claim average is far above the cost surveys: people file claims for the big jobs. If your estimate is close to your deductible, it may not be worth a claim. Ask your agent before you file.
- Typically covered: sudden and accidental discharge, such as a burst pipe or failed supply line.
- Typically not covered: slow leaks, wear and tear, neglect, and outside flood water (flood needs a separate flood policy).
- Frozen pipes: some policies limit coverage if the home was vacant or unheated.
Your policy wording decides. Photograph everything before cleanup and keep removed materials until the adjuster agrees they can go.
How to check a quote and a company in Idaho
- Check the contractor registration. Idaho requires contractors to register with the Idaho Contractors Board for jobs over about $2,000, and registration requires liability insurance. Search the name at dopl.idaho.gov.
- Ask if technicians are IICRC-certified (WRT for water, ASD for structural drying).
- Get a written, itemized estimate with equipment counts and days, not one lump sum.
- Ask for the daily moisture readings. Drying should end when readings reach normal, not on a fixed day.
- Be careful with signing over insurance benefits (an "assignment of benefits") on the spot. Read it, or ask your insurer first.
Quick answers
How much does water damage restoration cost?
National cost surveys put the typical job between roughly $1,300 and $6,300, with averages from about $1,500 to $3,800 depending on the survey. Contaminated water, large areas, hardwood floors and mold push it higher; a small clean-water leak caught early can cost a few hundred dollars.
What is the cost per square foot?
For mitigation (extraction and drying), published ranges are about $3 to $4 per square foot for clean water, about $4 to $6.50 for gray water and about $7 to $7.50 or more for sewage or flood water. Rebuilding drywall, flooring and paint is billed separately.
Will homeowners insurance pay for it?
Sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe, is often covered; slow leaks, neglect and outside flooding usually are not. Insurance industry data shows the average paid water and freezing claim was $15,400 for 2019 to 2023. Your policy wording decides, so call your insurer.
Why are there two invoices?
Mitigation stops and dries the water (extraction, fans, dehumidifiers, removing ruined materials). Restoration or rebuild puts the house back (drywall, flooring, paint, cabinets). They are often done by different crews and estimated separately.
Do water damage companies in Idaho need a license?
Idaho does not license general contractors by exam, but contractors must register with the Idaho Contractors Board (DOPL) for jobs over about $2,000, which requires liability insurance. You can check a registration online at dopl.idaho.gov.