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 →
- Water under the slab? — signs, real cost ranges ($1,500–$15,000) →
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 → |
| Slab leak repair | $1,500 – $15,000 | Cost & signs → |
| Ceiling water damage repair | $500 – $5,000 | See 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.
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.
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.
Email me a vetted pro near me →Last reviewed: November 2026.