You Want to Call, But You Don’t Know What It’s Going to Cost
Money is the second conversation — right after “how bad is it?” You need to know what comes out of your pocket, what insurance handles, and whether there are going to be surprise charges after the fans come down.
I’m Phil Sheridan. I own 4D Restoration in Edmond, Oklahoma. Here’s how the billing actually works.
For Insured Events: The Simple Version
You pay: Your deductible. Insurance pays: Everything else that’s approved on the Xactimate scope.
That’s it for most homeowners. The complexity isn’t in what you pay — it’s in understanding how the scope gets approved and when the money moves.
How the Scope Becomes a Bill
Step 1: I Write the Xactimate Scope
After assessing the damage, I write a line-item estimate in Xactimate — the same software your adjuster uses. Every service has a code. Every material has a quantity. Every piece of equipment has a daily rate. Nothing is lump-sum. Everything is transparent.
Step 2: I Submit to Your Adjuster
The scope goes to your assigned adjuster along with photos, moisture readings, and supporting documentation. This submission typically happens within 24–48 hours of the water event — often while drying is still in progress.
Step 3: Adjuster Reviews and Approves
Your adjuster compares my scope against their assessment. In most cases, the scope is approved as submitted. If there are items they question, we have a professional conversation about the specific line items — backed by my documentation.
Step 4: Insurance Issues Payment
After scope approval, your insurer issues payment. This can take 7–21 days depending on the carrier and claim volume. The payment covers the approved scope minus your deductible.
Payment Structure
Your Deductible
Typically $500–$2,500. This is due at the start of work or upon completion — the timing varies by company. I collect the deductible at the start of work.
The deductible is a one-time payment that applies to the entire claim scope. You don’t pay a deductible for the emergency extraction AND a separate deductible for the drying AND a separate deductible for the demolition. It’s one deductible for the entire event.
Insurance Payment
After approval, the insurer pays the remainder. The payment structure depends on the carrier:
| Payment Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Direct to contractor | Insurer pays the restoration company directly. You pay only the deductible. (Common with larger carriers) |
| Joint check | Insurer issues a check made out to both you and the restoration company. You endorse and forward the payment. |
| Payment to homeowner | Insurer sends you the full amount (minus deductible). You pay the restoration company. |
| Split payments | Insurer issues a partial payment (often 50–70%) after scope approval, with the remainder after work completion. |
What the Scope Costs
For transparency, here are typical ranges for common water damage scenarios in the OKC metro:
| Scenario | Typical Mitigation Scope |
|---|---|
| Single room — clean water (supply line) | $1,500–$3,000 |
| 2–3 rooms — clean water (water heater, appliance) | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Multi-room — gray water (washing machine, dishwasher) | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Multi-room with mold risk | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Sewage backup — single room | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Sewage backup — multi-room | $6,000–$15,000 |
These are mitigation costs (my scope). Reconstruction costs (the rebuild phase) are additional and handled by a general contractor.
For Non-Insured Events
If the damage isn’t covered — gradual leak, maintenance neglect, no applicable coverage — you pay the full scope directly.
For non-insured work, I provide the Xactimate estimate upfront before work begins. You see every line item, every cost, every material charge. You approve the scope before I start. No surprises.
Payment terms for non-insured work: deductible equivalent at start of work, remainder at completion.
What You Won’t See on My Invoice
- Hidden fees — No trip charges, no after-hours surcharges, no “emergency response premiums.” The Xactimate rate codes include appropriate compensation for emergency-rate work.
- Equipment charges for equipment not deployed — Every piece of equipment is documented: type, serial number, placement location, deployment date, removal date. You can verify.
- Vague line items — Every charge has a specific Xactimate code and description. “Water damage restoration — $5,000” is not a line item. “WTR EXTRN — 300 SF” (water extraction, 300 square feet) is.
The Question You Actually Want to Ask
“What’s going to come out of my pocket?”
For an insured event with a $1,000 deductible and a $4,500 approved scope:
- You pay: $1,000 (deductible)
- Insurance pays: $3,500
- Total out of pocket: $1,000
For a non-insured event with a $4,500 scope:
- You pay: $4,500
- Total out of pocket: $4,500
For a situation where you’re unsure about coverage:
- Call me first: I assess, I scope, I submit to your adjuster
- Worst case: You pay the full scope
- Expected case: You pay your deductible only
Don’t Let Billing Uncertainty Delay You
The financial question is valid, but it shouldn’t be the reason water sits on your floor for another 12 hours. Every hour of delay increases the scope, which increases the bill, which makes the financial question worse.
Call 405-896-9088. I’ll assess the damage, write the scope, and tell you what you’re looking at financially — before we start work. No obligation. No cost for the assessment. Just information you can make decisions with.
Phil Sheridan. Owner, 4D Restoration. IICRC Certified. 405-896-9088.