Drying walls after flooding: 2026 price list and post-flood renovation costs

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

In 2026, drying walls after flooding most often costs 1,750 PLN/week for a room of around 40 to 60 m² (typically 1,550 ‑ 1,900 PLN/week). Standard drying usually takes 1 to 3 weeks, so the entire two-week cycle costs around PLN 3,100 ‑ 3,800. Underfloor drying costs around PLN 8,000.

Flooding from a neighbour’s flat, a burst pipe or a washing machine fault means you need to decide quickly who to call and how much it will cost. Drying is the first stage: without it, new paint will peel and mould will develop beneath the flooring. We have compiled drying prices, duration and the renovation costs that usually follow.

How much does drying walls after flooding cost?

Drying walls after flooding most often costs 1,750 PLN/week for a room of around 40 to 60 m². Based on 4 price lists and articles collected by indekscen.pl, half of the prices fall within the 1,550 ‑ 1,900 PLN/week range. The cheapest offers start at 900 PLN/week, while the most expensive reach 2,650 PLN/week per week.

The price includes the hire and operation of drying equipment throughout the cycle: dehumidifiers, fans and sometimes heaters. It does not include repairs to the damage, such as painting or replacing floors, and often excludes diagnostics and moisture measurements, which may be charged separately. Details and quotations from price lists are available at drying walls and buildings after flooding.

Drying walls after flooding: prices by duration

The drying bill depends primarily on how many weeks the equipment operates. Here is the cost at the median rate and within the typical range found in price lists:

Drying time	Cost at the median rate	Typical range
1 week	1,750 PLN/week	1,550 ‑ 1,900 PLN/week
2 weeks	PLN 3,500	PLN 3,100 ‑ 3,800
3 weeks	PLN 5,300	PLN 4,700 ‑ 5,700
Underfloor drying	around PLN 8,000	depending on the floor area

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Smaller rooms can be cheaper, but many companies have a minimum charge and bill for 7 days of equipment operation regardless of the room size.

How long does it take to dry walls after flooding?

Drying walls after flooding usually takes 7 to 21 days. The duration depends on the thickness and material of the wall, brick and concrete dry more slowly than plasterboard, how long the water remained and the temperature in the room. Flooding discovered after several days usually requires longer drying than a fault noticed immediately.

A reputable company measures wall moisture at the beginning, during and at the end of the drying process. Ask for a measurement report: it provides evidence for the insurer and shows when renovation work can begin. Painting a damp wall too soon results in peeling paint and mould.

Does a dehumidifier draw moisture out of walls?

A dehumidifier draws moisture out of walls indirectly: it collects water vapour from the air, while the wall gradually releases water into the drier surroundings. Drying companies use two main types of equipment:

• Condensing dehumidifiers condense moisture on a cold heat exchanger. They work best in heated rooms and are used for most floods in flats.
• Desiccant dehumidifiers absorb moisture using a special material. They work well in low temperatures, so they are used in basements, garages and for underfloor drying.

Fans are also used to force air to circulate around the walls, along with heaters that raise the temperature of the masonry. A domestic dehumidifier from a DIY shop will help with slight damp, but it is usually not powerful enough after several hours of flooding.

Who pays for drying after flooding caused by a neighbour?

The person whose premises the water came from is usually liable for flood damage, including drying costs. In practice, their personal third-party liability insurer pays. If a shared installation failed, the housing association or housing cooperative handles the claim. Keep the drying invoices and moisture measurement report. If liability is disputed, consult a lawyer or consumer ombudsman.

How much does underfloor drying cost?

According to price lists, underfloor drying costs around PLN 8,000, several times more than standard wall drying. It is needed when water has seeped beneath panels, parquet or tiles and soaked into the screed or insulation layer. The company drills holes in the floor and uses a system of pipes either to force dry air beneath it or extract moist air.

An alternative is to remove the flooring and dry the screed from above. If panels have already swollen, this is often the cheaper option, but the cost of a new floor must then be added: according to price lists, laying laminate flooring costs around 70 PLN/m² for labour alone.

How much does renovating a flat after flooding cost?

Renovation after flooding can begin only once the property is dry, and its scope depends on the damage caused by the water. Here is an example for a room with a floor area of 20 m² and around 40 m² of walls, where 10 m² of damp plaster must be removed and the remaining walls need to be levelled and painted:

Stage of work	Labour cost at the median rate	Pricing basis
Drying, 2 weeks	PLN 3,500	1,750 PLN/week
Ozone treatment of a flat up to 50 m²	PLN 325	price per flat
Removing plaster, 10 m²	PLN 700	70 PLN/m²
New plaster, 10 m²	PLN 440	44 PLN/m²
Skim coating, 40 m²	PLN 1,900	48 PLN/m²
Painting, 40 m²	PLN 880	22 PLN/m²
New panels, 20 m²	PLN 1,400	70 PLN/m²

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

The figures cover labour. Materials, including plaster, skim coat, paint, panels and skirting boards, and rubble disposal are charged separately. You can read more about finishing costs in our article how much does it cost to renovate a flat.

What should you do after flooding, before arranging drying?

After flooding, first stop the water and make the area safe, then compare quotes. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off the water and electricity in the flooded rooms. Do not switch on any equipment that water has dripped onto.
2. Take photographs and videos of water stains, floors and damaged belongings before cleaning anything up.
3. Notify the building manager or your neighbour if the water came from above, and prepare an incident report together.
4. Report the damage to your insurer and ask whether it will cover drying and what documents are required.
5. Remove standing water and ventilate the room, but do not force-heat it without a dehumidifier: the moisture will move into other walls.
6. Arrange drying with moisture measurements and agree who will collect the equipment and when.

How can you avoid overpaying for drying?

• Ask about the weekly price and minimum hire period. Some companies charge for a full 7 days even if the walls dry sooner.
• Check whether moisture measurements are included in the price. Diagnostics may be charged separately.
• Ask about travel, installation and removal of the equipment. Some price lists charge separately for these services.
• Factor in electricity consumption. Dehumidifiers and heaters operate around the clock, and you pay the electricity bill.
• Do not delay drying. Every week of delay increases the risk of mould and a more expensive renovation. After drying, it is worth considering ozone treatment of a flat, which removes musty smells.

For renovation after flooding, you may also find our articles how much does plastering a house cost and installing skirting boards: labour price useful. Painting prices in selected cities:

Wall painting: cities from cheapest to most expensive. Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

You can find more prices for tradespeople’s services in the repairs and tradespeople category.

The prices in this article come from public company price lists and trade publications. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the service page, based on the index as at 5 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run a dehumidifier for an hour?

Firmy rzadko liczą osuszanie za godzinę: typowe rozliczenie to tydzień pracy urządzeń z obsługą, zwykle 1,550 ‑ 1,900 PLN/week za pomieszczenie 40 do 60 m². Stawek godzinowych i dobowych wynajmu samego osuszacza nie mamy jeszcze w indeksie.

Does a dehumidifier draw moisture out of walls?

Tak, ale powoli: osuszacz zbiera wilgoć z powietrza, a mur oddaje ją stopniowo, dlatego standardowe osuszanie trwa od 1 do 3 tygodni. Firmy łączą osuszacze kondensacyjne lub adsorpcyjne z wentylatorami i nagrzewnicami, co przyspiesza schnięcie ścian.

Does insurance cover drying after flooding?

Często tak, jeśli polisa mieszkania obejmuje zalanie, a osuszanie jest potrzebne do usunięcia szkody. Przed zamówieniem usługi zgłoś szkodę, zrób zdjęcia i zapytaj ubezpieczyciela, czy pokryje koszt, zwykle 1,550 ‑ 1,900 PLN/week za tydzień.

How much does drying walls after flooding cost in Warsaw?

Osobnych cen osuszania dla Warszawy nie mamy jeszcze w indeksie. Mediana dla Polski to 1,750 PLN/week, a w dużych miastach oferty zwykle wypadają w górnej części przedziału, blisko 2,650 PLN/week.

How much does masonry injection cost?

Iniekcja to metoda na wilgoć podciąganą z gruntu, a nie na skutki zalania, i jej cen nie mamy jeszcze w indeksie. Po zalaniu z mieszkania wyżej zwykle wystarcza osuszanie mechaniczne, około 1,750 PLN/week za tydzień.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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