Water damage services in Dallas: what each job involves and costs

Each page below explains how the job works, what drives the price, which Texas licenses and Dallas rules apply, and which questions to ask before you sign. Every cost figure is labeled with its source and year. We are an independent guide, not a restoration company.

• Water damage restoration: the full process from inspection to drying and rebuild, cost by damage class, and what the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard expects from a restorer.
• Water extraction: removing standing water, cost per square foot by water category, why drying time matters and when deep water should not be pumped out all at once.
• Sewage cleanup: why sewage is Category 3 water, what that means for containment and removal, and who handles a city wastewater main in Dallas.
• Storm and flood damage: when storm water counts as contaminated, flood insurance rules from the City of Dallas and FloodSmart, and how to avoid storm-chaser contractors.
• Mold remediation: Texas TDLR licensing, why the assessor and the remediator must be different licensees, notification rules and the Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation.
• Emergency water damage checklist: shutoff valve, electricity, gas smells and the official Dallas numbers to call first.

The ranges below are national figures from published cost guides, not Dallas quotes and not prices anyone has offered you. A real quote depends on the category of water, how long materials stayed wet, access and how much must be removed and rebuilt.

For a Dallas-focused look at what drives these numbers, see our restoration cost guide.

The ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration is the industry's main procedural standard. The current published edition is the 5th, from 2021. It describes the procedures to be followed and the precautions to be taken when performing water damage restoration, and it sorts water into three categories by contamination. Category 3 is grossly contaminated water, which includes sewage. Our guide to clean, grey and black water explains the categories.

The S500 is voluntary. Following it, or holding an IICRC certification, is not the same as holding a state license. We explain the standard so you can ask better questions; this site holds no certification and does no restoration work.

Texas does not license water damage restoration as a trade. Three related areas are regulated, and a single job can touch all of them:

1. Mold assessment and remediation. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses mold assessors and remediators under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1958 and 16 TAC Chapter 78. According to TDLR's Consumer Mold Information Sheet, the rules prohibit a licensee from conducting both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project. Look up any mold company in the TDLR license search.
2. Plumbing. A burst pipe, failed water heater or drain line repair needs a plumber licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
3. Rebuilding. The City of Dallas says a residential permit allows construction, renovation or major repairs on a home. Suburbs issue their own permits.

We do not perform restoration work, we have no field staff, and we do not quote prices. To reach a restoration company, call one of the companies listed on this page or see all listed companies. Questions about this guide or a correction: email hello@waterdamagedallaspros.com. We do not take service requests and do not pass messages on to contractors. Any contract, price and warranty is then strictly between you and the company you choose. Email replies are guidance only.

If water is spreading now, do not wait for an email reply. Follow the emergency checklist and call 911 if anyone is in danger.