How this calculator works
Most restoration companies won't put a number on their website. We think you should know roughly what you're getting into before anyone shows up. This calculator uses the same building blocks as a real StepCare estimate:
- Water extraction and tear-out, priced per square foot and adjusted for the water category (clean, grey or sewage).
- Drying equipment per day: air movers, commercial LGR dehumidifiers and HEPA air scrubbers, sized to your area following the IICRC S500 drying standard.
- Monitoring visits with moisture readings and photos, the documentation your insurer will ask for.
- For mould, containment, HEPA filtration, removal and cleaning following IICRC S520, scaled by size, location and materials.
We show a range rather than a single number because two jobs that look the same from the outside can be very different behind the drywall. A visit with moisture meters and a thermal camera tells us exactly where the water went.
Typical costs in the GTA (2026)
| Job | Typical cost* |
|---|---|
| Small clean-water leak, one room | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Burst pipe affecting 2–3 rooms or a ceiling | $3,500 – $7,500 |
| Finished basement, clean or grey water | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Sewer backup in a finished basement | $7,000 – $15,000+ |
| Mould, small area under 10 sq ft | $500 – $1,500 |
| Mould, bathroom or single room | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Mould, attic sheathing | $2,500 – $7,500 |
| Mould, finished basement with full containment | $4,000 – $10,000+ |
*Before HST. Rebuild is a separate estimate. Full breakdowns: water damage restoration cost guide and mould remediation cost guide.
What makes the price go up or down
- Speed. Clean water caught in the first 24–48 hours is the cheapest kind of loss. Waiting turns a drying job into a tear-out job, and sometimes a mould job. Our first-hour checklist shows what to do right away.
- Water category. Sewage and outside flood water need more protective gear, antimicrobial treatment and removal of porous materials. See sewage backup cleanup.
- Materials. Carpet pad, drywall and insulation usually come out when wet; hardwood and cabinets need specialty drying.
- Drying days. Equipment is billed per day, and we pull it as soon as readings say the structure is dry. Most basements take 3–5 days (here's why).
- Property type. Condos add access rules, neighbours and building management. Our condo guide explains who pays for what.
Will insurance pay for it?
Sudden and accidental water damage, like a burst pipe or a failed supply line, is usually covered by Ontario home insurance. Sewer backup and overland flooding depend on your endorsements, and slow leaks usually aren't covered. When there's a claim, we document everything and bill your insurer directly; you typically pay only your deductible. Read does home insurance cover water damage in Ontario? or see how our insurance claims process works.