I get where you're coming from, but I’ve actually managed to dry out a squishy subfloor myself once with industrial fans and a dehumidifier—just took some patience and a few days of monitoring. Not saying it’s for everyone or every situation, but sometimes the pros charge more than the job really needs, especially if you catch it early. That said, if there’s any sign of mold or the smell lingers after a week, I wouldn’t risk it—mold remediation is a whole different headache. Still, $2k feels steep for basic drying unless a lot of demo was involved.
Still, $2k feels steep for basic drying unless a lot of demo was involved.
Yeah, I hear you on that. If it’s just drying and no major tear-out, $2k does seem high. Sometimes folks get spooked by water and overpay. But if there’s even a whiff of mold or the subfloor’s been wet for more than a couple days, that’s when things can spiral. I’ve seen “quick fixes” turn into full-on gut jobs because someone tried to save a buck and ignored hidden moisture. Just gotta balance risk and cost, I guess.
Honestly, I’m with you—$2k for just drying sounds steep unless there’s more going on behind the scenes. Did they use thermal imaging or moisture meters to check if water got under the floor or into the walls? Sometimes you can’t see the worst of it until you start poking around. I’ve seen jobs where folks thought it was “just drying,” but then baseboards or cabinets started warping a week later... Did they mention anything about the type of materials affected or how long the water sat? That can make a big difference in price and approach.
Yeah, $2k just for drying does seem high unless there’s hidden damage or specialty equipment involved. Here’s what I usually look for: First, check how long the water sat—if it’s more than 24 hours, you’re probably dealing with some wall or subfloor moisture. Next, see if they used moisture meters or thermal cameras to find trapped water. If not, you might be paying for a surface-level job that misses deeper issues. Materials matter too—MDF cabinets or laminate floors soak up water fast and can be a pain to dry out properly. Sometimes folks skip steps and end up with mold or warped trim down the line... seen it more than once.
Yeah, I hear you—$2k just for drying does sound steep unless there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. I’ve seen jobs where folks skip the moisture check and just run fans, then months later you get that musty smell or see baseboards start to warp. You’re right about MDF and laminate too... those materials are like sponges. Honestly, it’s better to be thorough now than pay double down the road. Good on you for digging into the details instead of just trusting the invoice.