Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed September 4, 2026· Next review Mar 2027
Quick answer
SERVPRO and ServiceMaster Restore both build water damage estimates in Xactimate, the same insurance pricing database — so a $15,000 vs $8,000 gap on the same house is almost never brand pricing. It's scope: one plans demolition and reconstruction where the other plans dry-in-place, or one includes contents handling the other left out. Compare the line items, not the totals, and let a third local IICRC-certified quote arbitrate.
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Both franchises price from the same Xactimate database — big quote gaps almost always mean different SCOPE, not different rates. Here's how to read the two estimates side by side and catch the difference.
The Short Answer
SERVPRO and ServiceMaster Restore both build water damage estimates in Xactimate, the same insurance pricing database — so a $15,000 vs $8,000 gap on the same house is almost never brand pricing. It's scope: one plans demolition and reconstruction where the other plans dry-in-place, or one includes contents handling the other left out. Compare the line items, not the totals, and let a third local IICRC-certified quote arbitrate.
What This Page Covers
SERVPRO and ServiceMaster both price water damage with Xactimate — so why does one quote come in at $15,000 and the other at $8,000? What actually differs, how to compare scopes line by line, and when a third local quote settles it.
Already have a quote? Compare it
National brands price from a franchise rate card. A local IICRC-certified crew often scopes the same job differently — you keep whichever quote is better.
(888) 840-6512- Tell them the scope you were quoted
- A local certified crew prices the same work
- Compare line by line — no obligation either way
If Water Is Still Coming In
Stop the water at the fixture valve or the main, cut power to wet rooms at the breaker if you can reach the panel safely, move what you can out of the water, and photograph everything before it is touched. Water that has reached carpet pad, drywall or a subfloor is a same-day restoration call rather than a cleanup: mold can establish on wet materials within 24–48 hours, and every hour of delay moves materials from "dry it" to "replace it."
Before You Sign Anything
Ask for a written scope and the pricing basis, who is fixing the water source and when, and what the moisture readings are — a company that does not take readings is not drying. Sudden, accidental water damage (a burst pipe, a failed supply line, an appliance leak) is usually covered by homeowners insurance; long-term leaks, neglected maintenance and rising outside water usually are not. Document first, then call the restoration company, then the insurer.
Reading to confirm what you already suspect?
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Frequently Asked Questions
- 1dry-in-place versus tear-out-and-rebuild decisions on drywall and flooring
- 2contents handling — pack-out and storage can add thousands
- 3reconstruction included in one bid but quoted separately in the other
- 4equipment days — one crew plans 3 days of drying, the other 5. Put both estimates side by side and match line items before assuming anyone is overcharging.
Why is one franchise quoting me almost double the other for the same water damage?
Usually notPricing — scope. Both brands price from Xactimate regional rate tables, so the same line items cost nearly the same. Big gaps come from
Is SERVPRO better than ServiceMaster for water damage?
It dependsOn the local franchise, not the brand. Both are national franchise networks — the crew that shows up is a locally owned business, and quality varies by owner far more than by logo.
What to check for either: the franchise's own state license (verify it in the public registry), IICRC certification of the technicians actually assigned, response time to YOUR address, and whether they document moisture readings daily.
Do SERVPRO and ServiceMaster charge the same rates?
Mostly yes, line for line. Both estimate in Xactimate, which sets regional unit prices insurers accept — extraction per square foot, air mover per day, dehumidifier per day.
Neither brand has a national price sheet that beats the other. The controllable variable is scope: what gets demolished, how many equipment days, and whether reconstruction rides on the same contract.
Should I get a third quote from a local company?
YesWhen two franchise bids disagree by thousands, a third quote from an independent local IICRC-certified company is the fastest arbitration.
Local firms run lower overhead (no franchise royalty, often 8–10% of revenue) and the owner frequently scopes the job personally. If the local scope matches the lower franchise bid, you have your answer; if it matches the higher one, the extra work was probably real.
Will insurance pay whichever company I choose?
Typically yes. Homeowners policies pay for covered water losses regardless of which certified company does the work — you are not required to use the insurer's preferred vendor.
Both SERVPRO and ServiceMaster bill insurers routinely, and established local firms do too. What matters to the adjuster is documentation: moisture maps, drying logs and photos, which any IICRC-standard company produces.
Can I negotiate a SERVPRO or ServiceMaster estimate?
YesOn scope more than on rates.
Xactimate unit prices barely move, but you can ask why a wall needs flood cuts instead of injection drying, whether contents can stay in place, and whether reconstruction should be bid separately so you can shop it. Franchises expect line-item questions on insurance work; a good project manager walks you through every entry.
How fast can each company actually get to my house?
BothAdvertise 24/7 emergency response, but arrival time depends on the local franchise's crew load that day — not the national brand.
During regional storm events either can be booked out. Calling is the only way to get a real window for your address; ask specifically when a crew (not an estimator) can start extraction.
Sources
- IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration
- Xactware — Xactimate pricing methodology
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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