Dear Camden holds a rich history dating back to 1782 and experiences hot and humid summers. It is surrounded by nature, contributing to its wild, rural charm. However, the climate poses challenges for houses, particularly the older ones, as most are not as well-maintained as the McCollum-Chidester House.
Additionally, the city's proximity to the Ouachita River significantly increases the risk of water damage due to natural flooding.
As a resident, you are likely aware that immediate mitigation is essential for water damage. However, what is the expense associated with this, and what factors and variables are considered in the final cost?
With over 50 years of combined experience and an IICRC certification, Restore-It firmly believes that establishing a standard of honesty and openness is crucial in the water restoration sector. Consequently, we believe that by educating homeowners about pricing ranges, they can make well-informed decisions to safeguard the health of their homes and families.
Today, we will openly examine the costs associated with water damage restoration. We hope to answer the most important questions you may have and uncover the various factors that affect the price. Let's begin this educational journey to reveal the specifics behind the price calculation for Camden, Arkansas!
How we calculate the price for water damage mitigation and restoration projects
Thanks to a software program called Xactimate, we can estimate the cost of a water mitigation and restoration project. But we are not the only ones using it. Over the years, this program has become the standard for estimating costs in insurance reimbursements. Let’s take a close look at how we (and pretty much the rest of the industry) use it:
First step: To begin with the cost estimation, a technician will measure and document the impacted areas of the house.
Second step: All this information will be inputted into the software, ensuring everything has been appropriately measured, from the floor to the ceiling. This will be complemented by the on-site assessment and measurements of relative humidity in the building materials and the humidity levels of the surrounding air.
Third step: Ultimately, all the item lines in the software will be modified according to the scope of the work for the restoration project.
For water damage restoration projects, the costs are usually determined by the square foot of the impacted area. We are talking about things like carpet removal, water extraction, or building material removal (like drywall). All of this can be measured by the square footage. Yet, in some instances, the measurement we will use for the price is the linear foot. For example, the removal of baseboards is determined by their length.
Another way to examine costs and prices is to calculate the amount of work that needs to be done depending on the size of the impacted room. We use this all the time when we make estimates for something we call “content manipulation.” This refers to when we have to move the furniture and some personal belongings.
While the software is excellent for establishing a baseline cost, it is essential to remember that it is only an estimation tool. When the amount the program gives does not match the hours needed to complete the task, we can also calculate the price per labor hour.
By inputting the information into the software we can get an initial estimate of what will become the invoice and a good guess on the time it will take to complete the job. We register and document the entire water damage restoration process from the moment you pick up the phone to the moment you receive the final bill.
Water damage mitigation costs in Camden: From the cheapest to the most expensive project
Various factors will affect the final cost of a water mitigation and restoration project. From the initial estimates to the final bill, some of these encompass the dimensions of the property or the nature of the flooding (clean water, contaminated water, or heavily contaminated water). Also, the specific building materials impacted and other variables can increase the bill.
Given that the costs can vary depending on the job size, it's a good idea to start by examining the typical price ranges. In an ideal situation, a small project could commence at $3500. In the meantime, a medium-sized project would start at $12,000. As for a large project, the cost could range from $35,000 and up—this kind of project would be suitable for significant water damage in a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence.
Complex situations and larger spaces can also drive up the costs. Also, it's important to note that the rates discussed in this article apply during regular business hours; afterward, the prices may be slightly higher due to emergency rates.
Water damage mitigation costs in Camden with three different scenarios
As a rural city, the cost of living in Camden, Arkansas, is about 30.8% lower than the US average and 10.7% higher than the Arkansas average. This, like many other services, makes our prices for water damage mitigation comparably cheaper than the same work in a bigger city like Little Rock or New Orleans. As such, we have developed examples to illustrate how much are the expenses of a water damage mitigation effort. These examples cover a flooded bedroom, a flooded living room, and a flooded living room with sewage water.
First scenario: Flooding in a bedroom
Here we work with your average 12x12 ft bedroom with an 8 ft ceiling, totaling 144 sq ft and 48 linear feet (lf). For this case, we get a category 2 flood, meaning the water is polluted and toxic upon drinking (also known as gray water). The affected furniture, carpet pad, carpet, and personal items need removal. The space requires sanitization as well. Pricing is determined as follows (excluding taxes):
- Charge for removing content: $104.77
- Cost for using 4 air movers (per 5 days): $606
- Cost for removing the baseboard (48 lf): $28.32
- Cost for light HEPA vacuuming (144 sq ft): $76.32
- Cost for using 1 dehumidifier (per 5 days): $428.05
- Cost for hauling debris, as well as dumping fees: $167.49
- Cost for applying a biocide agent to the floor (144 sq ft): $44.64
- Cost for removing and disposing of wet carpet (144 sq ft): $99.36
- Cost for extracting water from the carpeted floor (144 sq ft): $123.84
- Charge for an emergency service call during business hours: $208.34
- Cost for removing and disposing of damp carpet pad (144 sq ft): $93.6
- Cost of setting up, taking down, and monitoring equipment (10 hours): $750.6
The entire expense comes to $2731.33, excluding taxes. This does not include the extra labor hours that may increase due to travel distances.
Second scenario: Flooding in a living room
In this case, we have a 15x20 ft living room with a height of 8 ft, 300 sq ft, and 70 lf. As in the previous example, the water source comes from a category 2 flood. Certain building materials, like drywall and baseboards, need removal. The flooring is non-carpeted. Pricing is determined as follows (excluding taxes):
- Charge for removing content: $209.53
- Cost for removing the baseboard (70 lf): $41.3
- Cost for Light HEPA vacuuming (300 sq ft): $159
- Cost for using 5 air movers (per 5 days): $1060.5
- Cost for using 1 dehumidifier (per 5 days): $557.3
- Cost for removing the trim, and disposal (70 lf): $91.7
- Cost for applying a biocide agent to the floor (300 sq ft): $93
- Cost for extracting water from hard surface floor (300 sq ft): $249
- Charge for an emergency service call during business hours: $208.34
- Cost for removing, cleanup, and disposing of wet drywall (300 sq ft): $339
- Cost for 3 pickup truck loads hauling debris, as well as dumping fees: $502.47
- Cost of setting up, taking down, and monitoring equipment (10 hours): $750.6
The entire expense comes to $4261.74, excluding taxes. This does not include the extra labor hours that may increase due to travel distances.
Third scenario: Flooding from sewage water in a living room
Here we have a living room with the exact dimensions as the last one. Except, the flood comes from black water, making it a category 3 type of flood (contaminated water hazardous upon contact). In this case, the floor is covered with carpet. Let's see how this impact the expenses (excluding taxes):
- Charge for removing content: $209.53
- Cost for using 7 air movers (per 5 days): $1060.5
- Cost for using 1 dehumidifier (per 5 days): $557.3
- Cost for Light HEPA vacuuming (300 sq ft): $159
- Charge for decontamination equipment (9 units): $417.06
- Cost for applying a biocide agent to the floor (440 sq ft): $136.4
- Cost for extracting water from hard carpeted floor (300 sq ft): $411
- Cost for removing and disposal of carpet (300 sq ft): $375
- Cost for removing and disposal of the baseboard (70 lf): $74.9
- Cost for removing and disposal of wet carpet pad (300 sq ft): $282
- Cost for removing and disposal of wet drywall and clean up (140 sq ft): $224
- Cost of setting up, taking down, and monitoring equipment (10 hours): $750.6
- Cost for 3 pickup truck loads hauling debris, as well as dumping fees: $502.47
- Charge for an emergency service call during business hours: $208.34
The entire expense comes to $5368.1, excluding taxes. This is about $1000 more expensive than the second scenario. Like the rest of the scenarios, this estimate can go up given the increment in travel time from our shop in El Dorado, which ultimately adds up to more labor hours.
Water damage restoration cost in Camden
Whether your house is located on the residential neighborhoods of Monroe Street, or the historic Washington District, or the pleasant California Avenue, after a flood, you will want to restore it to its pre-damaged state. And that's where water damage restoration comes to the rescue. The costs will remain consistent regardless of the flood type, as this project involves rebuilding once the removal of building materials and sanitation has occurred.
Do you remember how, just a few lines ago, we gave you three scenarios to illustrate how our pricing works? Don't you think that was a great idea? Well, we do, so we will again define the expenses and scopes of activities in a water damage restoration project with one realistic scenario.
Scenario for a room in need of complete restoration
In this case, we will consider a room with dimensions of 12x12 and a height of 8 feet that requires repairing. Now, we will examine the total cost of this procedure (excluding taxes):
- Cost for using a negative air fan or air scrubber (per 5 days): $77.55
- Cost for masking more than the ceiling (per 432 sq ft): $142.56
- Cost for replacing ½” drywall (per 144 sq ft): $276.48
- Cost for texturing the drywall (per 144 sq ft): $109.44
- Cost for replacing 3¼” crown (per 48 lf): $207.84
- Cost for replacing 3¼” baseboard (per 48 lf): $169.44
- Charge for 1 coat of seal/primer and 2 coats of paint for the ceiling (per 144 sq ft): $241.92
- Charge for 2 coats of paint for crown molding (per 48 lf): $96.96
- Charge for 2 coats of paint for the baseboard (per 48 lf): $93.60
- Cost for the final cleaning (per 144 sq ft): $44.64
The entire expense is $1770.63, excluding taxes. Please keep in mind that depending on the damage to your home, a restoration project can easily cost several thousand dollars, which can make it more expensive than water damage mitigation or remediation.
With this high price in mind, the decreased sense of urgency compared to water damage mitigation, and the longer time frame involved (restoration can take days, weeks, or even months), some people prefer to postpone this type of project.
At this point, we are confident you have gained a better grasp of the expenses involved in this procedure, the sources of these costs, and the individual tasks that make up the bulk of the estimation. While the figures provided here might fluctuate based on your specific situation, we venture that you are now armed with enough knowledge to take action. By now, managing your finances to prevent economic pressure or securing compensation for your insurance demands should be a breeze.
After obtaining all the necessary details about the expenses for a water damage restoration undertaking, we recommend you reach out to us for a more precise estimate. At Restore-It, our team will promptly dispatch a technician to initiate rejuvenating your home to its original state.
