Water damage can be a costly, overwhelming problem to address. When your home has suffered any kind of water damage, the restoration process is essential and significant. That's why it's important for you to reach out to a few local water damage restoration contractors right away for estimates. However, it is equally important for you to understand what can affect the cost of your water damage repairs. Here's a look at some of the things that can directly affect your estimates for water damage restoration.

The Water Itself

One of the most significant factors that will affect the cost of your water damage repair is the water itself, and in a few different ways. First and foremost is the type of water. Certain types of water require special handling both in disposal and in the restoration process. For example, fresh water, such as that from a broken incoming water pipe, is the least expensive to deal with because you won't have to worry about any potential contaminants. Black water, which is contaminated water including sewer runoff and similar, is typically the most expensive because it requires protective gear and specialized handling to ensure safety.

Additionally, whether or not the water is still present will also affect the cost of your water damage repair. If the water is still present, you'll have additional labor costs associated with pumping the water out of the affected area. If you've already removed the water, you might find that you save some on your estimate.

The Cause Of The Problem

Another factor that can directly affect the cost of water damage repair is the cause of the water. If you're dealing with water damage from a burst pipe, for example, you'll have the added expense associated with the plumbing repair. If the water issue is a result of a severe storm, on the other hand, you won't need to worry about any additional costs for mitigation. 

Make sure that you talk with your water damage repair contractor about the source of the water damage before you finalize the estimate. That way, you can be sure that it is factored into the total costs. 

The Extent Of The Damage

You will also find that your estimate varies depending on the extent of the damage. Many factors, including how deep the water was, where the water penetrated, and how long it stayed there will affect the amount of damage that is caused.

For example, if the flooring is damaged and needs to be replaced, or your water damage repair contractor needs to replace damaged drywall, these things will contribute to additional costs on your repair estimate. If, however, you caught the problem quickly enough, you'll only have to worry about the costs for drying things out and preventing mold growth.

Talk with a water damage repair contractor from a place like Manta Construction & Restoration right away if your home has suffered any kind of water damage.