💧 Water damage dried and demoed? Call (480) 204-9035 — RCS Builders handles full post-water reconstruction across Greater Phoenix
Post-Water Damage Reconstruction Specialists
24/7 Emergency Response
Water Damage Is Dried. The
Demo Is
Done. Now We
Rebuild Everything.
Water damage restoration has two distinct phases — and most restoration companies only do the first one. Phase one is mitigation: extraction, structural drying, and demolition of water-damaged materials. Phase two is reconstruction: replacing everything that was removed and restoring the property to pre-loss condition. Most mitigation companies stop at phase one — leaving homeowners with a dried, demoed property that is uninhabitable until a separate contractor rebuilds it. RCS Builders performs both phases. But we also step in as the reconstruction contractor for homeowners whose mitigation company has already completed phase one and moved on — assessing the demoed structure, developing the complete rebuild scope, and restoring the property from the studs out. One call from wherever you are in the process. Done right.
IICRC Certified • Xactimate Estimating • Licensed & Insured • 30+ Years in the Valley • amily Owned Since 1994
20–30%
Of Dwelling Coverage — Typical ALE Limit
Phase 2
Reconstruction — What Most Mitigation Companies Cannot Do
Immediate
RCS Builders Post-Water Reconstruction Start
All
Events Supply Lines · Appliances · Roof Leaks · Slab Leaks · Flooding
1
Licensed GC — Full Rebuild Through Final Inspection
⚠️ A Demoed Property Sitting Idle After Mitigation Is Costing You ALE Coverage Every Day
Additional living expense coverage — the provision in your homeowner's policy that pays for your hotel and meals while you are displaced — has a coverage limit. Most Arizona homeowner's policies include ALE coverage equal to 20–30% of the dwelling coverage limit. For the average Phoenix home that is $60,000–$90,000 in ALE — which sounds like a lot until a slow reconstruction process consumes it before the project is complete. Every week a demoed property sits without a rebuild contractor engaged is a week of ALE coverage consumed without corresponding progress on the rebuild. We start post-water reconstruction immediately after mitigation is certified complete — because your ALE clock is already running.
What Gets Rebuilt
Every Component of Post-Water Damage Reconstruction — Room by Room
Post-water damage reconstruction varies significantly by the scope of the water event and the materials affected. Here is every component we rebuild across all water damage event types.
01
Drywall Throughout Affected Areas
All water-damaged drywall removed during mitigation replaced — new drywall hung, taped, floated, and textured to match existing ceiling and wall finishes throughout every affected room. In Phoenix, where water events frequently affect multiple rooms through subfloor and wall cavity pathways, drywall replacement commonly extends well beyond the visible damage point. Every room that sustained moisture intrusion is assessed and included in the drywall scope.
Multi-Room Common
02
Flooring — Subfloor Through Finish
Water-damaged flooring removed during mitigation replaced from the subfloor up — subfloor assessed and repaired or replaced where saturated, then new finish flooring installed throughout affected areas. Flooring matched to pre-loss specification where materials are available. Full-room replacement scoped where matching is unavailable or where partial replacement would produce visible transitions.
Subfloor Through Finish
03
Kitchen Cabinetry & Countertops
Water damage to kitchen cabinet bases and lower cabinet boxes — common in supply line, dishwasher, and sink plumbing events — requires cabinet removal during mitigation and full cabinet reinstallation during reconstruction. New base cabinets installed, leveled, and finished. Countertops fabricated and installed to match pre-loss specification. Hardware matched and installed throughout.
Full Kitchen Rebuild
04
Bathroom Vanities, Tile & Fixtures
Bathroom water events — toilet overflows, supply line failures, shower pan failures — damage vanity cabinets, tile floors, and wall tile simultaneously. Full bathroom reconstruction after water damage involves vanity reinstallation, new tile floor, wall tile repair or replacement, and all plumbing fixture reconnection coordinated with licensed plumber.
Plumbing Coordinated
05
Subfloor & Structural Framing
Water events that saturate the subfloor and wall base framing require structural repair before any finish work can begin. Subfloor sections that cannot be dried to clearance thresholds are replaced. Wall bottom plates that sustain water damage and mold are replaced before drywall installation. All structural repairs permitted and inspected where required.
Structural First
06
Insulation Replacement
Wall cavity and attic insulation that absorbed water during the event and was removed during mitigation replaced with new insulation installed to current code. Vapor barriers reinstalled where required. Insulation inspection passed before drywall installation begins where required by permit.
Code Required
07
Paint, Trim & Baseboards
All water-damaged baseboards removed during mitigation replaced to match existing profile. New paint applied throughout all affected rooms — ceilings, walls, and trim. Where water staining affected adjacent rooms, full-room repaint is included to prevent visible lines between new paint and existing painted surfaces.
Full Room Repaint
08
Ceiling Repair & Texture
Ceiling water damage — from roof leaks, upstairs events, and plumbing above the ceiling — repaired with new drywall, texture matched to existing ceiling finish, and full ceiling repaint. Two-story events that damage the ceiling of the lower floor rebuilt simultaneously with the floor above under one coordinated scope.
Two-Story Coordinated
Post-Water Rebuild by Event Type
Post-Water Reconstruction Scope by Event Type — What Each Event Typically Requires
1
Supply Line Failure — Washing Machine, Dishwasher, Refrigerator
Appliance supply line failures typically affect the room of origin plus adjacent rooms and the ceiling below on two-story events. Post-mitigation reconstruction covers flooring throughout affected rooms, drywall in affected wall areas, ceiling below on two-story events, and cabinetry where the supply line was behind built-in appliances. Typically 2–4 weeks from reconstruction start to completion.
2
Toilet Overflow & Sewage Event
Toilet overflow events — particularly sewage backups — require Category 2 or Category 3 material removal protocols during mitigation, producing more extensive demo than clean water events. Reconstruction after sewage events replaces all porous materials that were in contact with the contaminated water — flooring, drywall to 12 inches above the flood line, and all affected cabinetry bases. Antimicrobial treatment of all rebuilt surfaces is included.
3
Slab Leak
Slab leak events damage flooring throughout the affected area from below — requiring full flooring removal across the event zone. Post-mitigation reconstruction covers flooring replacement throughout, drywall and baseboard in areas where wall cavities were accessed for leak repair, and in some cases tile replacement over the repaired slab penetration. Typically 2–3 weeks for a standard single-room slab leak event.
4
Roof Leak & Storm Water Intrusion
Roof leak events damage attic insulation, ceiling drywall, and in extended events the wall below the ceiling. Post-mitigation reconstruction covers new attic insulation, ceiling drywall and texture, wall drywall where water ran down the wall face, and flooring where standing water accumulated. Roof repair must be complete before interior reconstruction begins — envelope must be weathertight.
5
AC Condensate & HVAC Leak
AC condensate events — pan overflows and drain line failures — saturate the ceiling below the air handler and in extended events the wall below. Post-mitigation reconstruction covers ceiling drywall, insulation above the ceiling, wall drywall where water ran down, and flooring where water accumulated. HVAC service is coordinated before reconstruction begins — the condensate system must be cleared before walls and ceilings are closed.
6
Monsoon Flooding & Storm Runoff
Storm flooding events that enter through the foundation perimeter or garage door threshold damage flooring and wall bases at ground level throughout the affected area. Post-mitigation reconstruction covers flooring replacement, drywall to flood line, baseboard replacement, and in garage events — cabinetry and storage system replacement. Gray water protocol materials replaced rather than dried.
What We Do
Complete Post-Water Damage Reconstruction — Every Trade, Every Room, One Project Manager
📡
Post-Mitigation Assessment
Full assessment of the demoed structure from the dried and demoed condition — every surface, every cavity, every system. Concealed damage identified during assessment that was not documented during mitigation supplemented to the carrier. Complete build-back scope developed and Xactimate estimate submitted.
📋
Xactimate Estimate & Carrier Coordination
Complete Xactimate build-back estimate covering every reconstruction component. Submitted to carrier in Xactimate format. Adjuster walk coordinated at the demoed structure. Supplements filed when scope additions are identified. Carrier communication managed throughout.
📐
Permits & Structural Inspections
All required building permits pulled where structural repairs are required. Framing, insulation, and mechanical inspections coordinated and passed before walls are closed. Certificate of completion provided at project closeout.
🏗️
Structural & Subfloor Repair
Subfloor repair or replacement where moisture readings did not clear. Wall bottom plate replacement where required. All structural repairs completed and inspected before insulation and drywall installation begins.
🪚
Drywall, Texture & Paint
New drywall installed, taped, floated, and textured throughout all affected areas. Paint applied throughout — all affected rooms repainted to eliminate visible lines. Smoke-sealing primer not required for water events — standard primer and finish coat applied.
🪵
Flooring, Cabinetry & Finish Work
All finish trades completed — flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile, trim, and hardware. Every finish material matched to pre-loss specification. Project complete when all finishes are complete and property is returned to habitable condition.
Post-Water Reconstruction Is Covered. We Build the Estimate and Manage the Rebuild Claim.
The cost to reconstruct your property after water damage mitigation is covered under your homeowner's insurance policy as the cost to restore to pre-loss condition. The rebuild claim is separate from the mitigation claim — it requires a separate Xactimate estimate developed from the demoed condition and submitted for carrier approval before reconstruction begins. We develop the complete post-water rebuild estimate, coordinate the adjuster approval, and manage the claim throughout the reconstruction phase. We supplement when adjusters underscope the rebuild and do not close the claim until every covered dollar is approved and the project is complete.
- Post-mitigation condition documented before rebuild estimate is developed
- Mitigation company documentation collected and reviewed
- Complete Xactimate rebuild estimate — every component
- Concealed damage identified during assessment supplemented
- ALE timeline documentation supported throughout
- Code upgrade requirements identified and included
- Works with all major Arizona homeowner's and commercial carriers
Available 24/7
Client Stories
Real Post-Water Damage Reconstruction Jobs. Across Phoenix.
★★★★★
"After a pipe burst in our home the mitigation company left us hanging. RCS stepped in to handle all the repairs — drywall, cabinets, flooring — you'd never know anything happened. They also got additional scope covered that the first estimate missed."
Krista M. — Fulton Ranch, Chandler AZ
Supply Line · Mitigation Handoff · Full Rebuild
★★★★★
"The restoration team stopped at demo after water damage in our kitchen. RCS came in to fully rebuild it — new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and drywall. The insurance claim was handled start to finish."
Adam & Lisa T. — Valencia Groves, Mesa AZ
Kitchen Rebuild · Post-Demo · Full Claim
★★★★★
"A slab leak took out our flooring in three rooms. RCS rebuilt all three rooms — flooring, baseboards, paint — and matched the existing hardwood perfectly. Everything looks original."
Paul R. — Seville, Gilbert AZ
Slab Leak · Three Rooms · Hardwood Matched
★★★★★
"Our upstairs bathroom overflow damaged the ceiling below. RCS rebuilt the bathroom above and the ceiling below simultaneously — one project, one claim. Much faster than we expected."
Christine H. — Morrison Ranch, Gilbert AZ
Two-Story · Simultaneous · Fast
Questions & Answers
Emergency Restoration — Frequently Asked Questions
My mitigation company finished drying — how do I start the rebuild?
Call us. We assess post-mitigation properties, develop the complete rebuild scope from the demoed condition, submit the Xactimate estimate to your carrier, and begin construction as soon as approval is received and permits are in hand. We step into post-mitigation reconstruction projects regularly — you do not need to have used RCS for the mitigation phase. We start from wherever you are in the process.
The insurance carrier sent a payment for the mitigation — is the rebuild included?
No. The mitigation payment covers extraction, drying, and demo only. The rebuild requires a separate Xactimate estimate developed from the demoed condition and submitted for carrier approval before construction begins. Do not accept the mitigation payment as your complete settlement — the rebuild claim has not been submitted yet.
How long does post-water damage reconstruction take?
A single-room event — bathroom, laundry room, or bedroom — typically takes 1–2 weeks from construction start to completion. A kitchen rebuild runs 3–5 weeks. Multi-room events run 3–6 weeks depending on scope. Two-story events that rebuild the room above and the ceiling below simultaneously run 3–5 weeks. We provide a detailed timeline at the start of every project.
Can you match my existing flooring and finishes?
We make every effort to match existing materials — sourcing from the same manufacturer and product line where possible. Flooring that has been discontinued or is no longer available in the same color and grade is documented for the insurance carrier and full-room replacement is proposed as the appropriate scope where matching cannot be achieved. Paint color is matched using spectrophotometer analysis. Texture is matched by our finish crews on every job.
Does the rebuild require building permits?
It depends on the scope. Structural repairs — subfloor replacement, wall bottom plate replacement, framing repair — require building permits and inspections in most Arizona jurisdictions above certain dollar thresholds. Finish work — drywall, flooring, painting — typically does not require permits. We identify permit requirements at the start of every project and pull all required permits before structural work begins.
My insurance adjuster is pushing back on the rebuild scope — what do I do?
Call us before accepting any scope reduction. Adjuster pushback on rebuild scope is common — particularly on flooring replacement scope, cabinet replacement scope, and multi-room drywall where adjusters attempt to limit scope to the visibly damaged area only. We respond to adjuster scope challenges with documented supplemental estimates, material specification justifications, and matching limitation documentation. Do not accept a reduced rebuild scope without pushing back through the supplement process.
Starting from scratch with a water event that hasn't been mitigated yet?
See our
Water Damage Restoration hub. Need build-back after fire damage? See our
Fire Damage Rebuild & Reconstruction page. Full reconstruction services at our
Reconstruction & Rebuild hub.
Service Area
Post-Water Damage Reconstruction Across Greater Phoenix
Based in Tempe. Managing post-water damage reconstruction projects across all of Maricopa County — residential and commercial — 24/7.
San Tan Valley
Paradise Valley
Fountain Hills
Apache Junction
Sun Lakes
Peoria
Avondale
Goodyear
Surprise
Maricopa
Gold Canyon
Carefree
Ahwatukee
Ocotillo
Arcadia
Cave Creek
Phoenix
Tempe
Chandler
Mesa
Gilbert
Scottsdale
Queen Creek
Laveen
Glendale
Water Damage Dried. Demo Done.
Call Us — We Rebuild Everything.
RCS Builders handles post-water damage reconstruction across Greater Phoenix — Xactimate estimate from the demoed condition, permits where required, every trade coordinated, and complete rebuild through final inspection under one licensed general contractor.
(480) 204-9035
Available 24/7 · Greater Phoenix Valley · Licensed General Contractor · IICRC Certified