Restoration and inspection cost in 2026
Reviewed and updated by the Fixerlane editorial team · How we research
What other publishers report restoration and inspection costs, what moves the price, and how to tell whether two quotes are really for the same work.
Typical prices
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Water damage restoration | $1,200–$5,000 per jobFixr: average $3,000Fixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
| $1,305–$5,707 per jobBob Vila: national average $3,455Bob Vila, updated May 2023 | Bob Vilaupdated May 2023 | |
| Mold remediation | $1,500–$9,000 per jobFixr: average $3,500; $10–$30 per sq ftFixr, updated Aug 2025 | Fixrupdated Aug 2025 |
| $1,125–$3,439 per jobBob Vila, updated Apr 2024 | Bob Vilaupdated Apr 2024 | |
| Home inspection | $300–$500 per jobFixr: average $400; $0.18–$0.25 per sq ftFixr, updated Jan 2025 | Fixrupdated Jan 2025 |
| Radon mitigation system | $771–$1,185 installedBob Vila: larger or complex homes up to $3,000Bob Vila, updated Jul 2022 | Bob Vilaupdated Jul 2022 |
| Asbestos removal | $1,192–$3,240 per jobBob Vila, citing AngiBob Vila, updated Dec 2023 | Bob Vilaupdated Dec 2023 |
How we got these. Fixerlane does not set prices and these are not our figures. They are the ranges published by Fixr and Bob Vila, read from each page on October 4, 2026 and linked so you can check them. Each publisher measures differently, so the ranges do not always agree. Your quote depends on your home, your area and the exact job — the things below are what move it.
What changes the price
- For water damage: how much area is wet, the type of water, and how long it sat
- For mould: the size of the affected area and whether materials must be removed
- For a home inspection: home size, age and add-ons such as radon, sewer or termite inspections
- Testing before and after the work, by an independent inspector
- Whether insurance is paying, and its rules on who does the work
The EPA recommends fixing a home when the radon level is 4 pCi/L or more. (EPA)
The EPA gives no price for radon mitigation; it says most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. (EPA)
The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24–48 hours to prevent mould growth. (EPA)
What pros ask before quoting
These are the questions restoration and inspection pros listed on Fixerlane ask before they will quote. Each one is a variable that moves the price — which is why having answers ready gets you a firmer number faster.
- Reason for inspection
- Commonly offered: Insurance requirement · Property ownership change · Property updated · Refinancing mortgage · Routine checkup
- Property Type
- Commonly offered: Condo/Apartment · House · Townhouse
- Home features
- Commonly offered: Attic · Basement · Chimney · Crawl space · Water well
- Cleanup and restoration services
- Commonly offered: Area restoration · Clean and deodorize · Dry and dehumidify · Moisture damage assessment · Water extraction
- Mold services
- Commonly offered: Fabric damage restoration · Inspection and testing · Remove mold
- Work needed
- Commonly offered: Asbestos removal · Asbestos testing
- Building type
- Commonly offered: Multi-level commercial building · Multi-level residential building · Single-level commercial building · Single-level residential building
- Building height
- Commonly offered: High-rise · Single-level · Three-story · Two-story
How pros quote
Fixed price
The scope is clear enough to put a number on the whole job. The risk of it running long sits with the pro, which is why they will want the scope pinned down first.
Hourly or day rate
Used where nobody yet knows what is wrong, or the work is open-ended. Fair for diagnosis; a warning sign on a job that could have been specified.
Per unit
Priced by square foot, per fixture, per window. Easy to compare between pros — as long as you check what a "unit" includes.
Call-out plus work
A fixed fee to attend, then the job on top. Common for emergency and repair work. Ask whether the call-out comes off the final bill.
Comparing quotes fairly
Two quotes are only comparable if they cover the same job. Before you judge on price, check each one states:
- The scope, in plain words rather than a trade shorthand
- Which materials are included, and who supplies them
- Whether disposal and clean-up are in the price
- Making good afterwards — patching, painting, reinstating
- The payment schedule, tied to visible milestones
- A start date and a realistic finish window
- What happens if something unexpected is found
A quote well below the others is usually a smaller job, not a better deal. Ask what it excludes before assuming it is the bargain.
What the restoration and inspection market looks like
Fixerlane lists restoration and inspection pros across 50 states and 1,294 cities. About 22% are one-person businesses and 57% are small teams of two to nine. The typical business has been trading 7 years.
That mix matters for price. A sole trader carries lower overheads and is often cheaper for a small job; a larger firm can field a crew, carry more insurance and start sooner on a big one. Neither is better — they suit different work.
Common questions
- What should I do first after water damage?
- Stop the water, turn off power to wet areas if it is safe, photograph everything and call your insurer. Drying quickly limits mould, so do not wait for the claim to start the clean-up.
- Should the company that tests for mould also remove it?
- It is a conflict of interest worth avoiding. An independent tester has no reason to overstate the problem, and can check the work afterwards.
- Should I test my home for radon?
- Yes. The EPA points to the Surgeon General's advice that Americans test their homes, and to fix the problem as soon as possible when radon is at 4 pCi/L or more. Testing is the cheap part; mitigation is the job a pro does if levels are high.
- What does a home inspection not cover?
- A standard inspection is visual. It usually excludes sewer lines, inside walls, pests and radon unless you add them. Ask what is excluded before you book.
Get a real number
Published ranges tell you what is normal; only a pro who has seen your job can tell you what yours costs. Find restoration and inspection pros near you and ask two or three.
Find restoration and inspection pros