Mold Remediation Cost By Location
Mold can technically take root and begin growing anywhere, requiring immediate remediation for an average cost ranging between $100 and $30,000. The cost of mold remediation is directly influenced by the location. The chart below illustrates some of the most common locations of mold growth and respective costs for removal, followed by a description in the subsections below.
| Location |
|---|
| $10,000 – $30,000 |
Mold Remediation And Removal: Itemized Costs
According to HomeGuide, spraying the infected areas with a cleaning solution can cost $1 to $9 per cubic foot. Scraping to remove the mold from the surface costs up to $1.25 per square foot. A high-efficiency particulate air filter vacuum may be needed to remove mold spores from the air. That costs about 90 cents per square foot. Encapsulation ranges from $5 to $79 per cubic foot.
What Are The Signs Of Mold In Your House
If you notice several of these signs, you should in your home:
Read Also: How To Remove Mildew From Ceilings In Bathrooms
Mold Inspection And Testing Cost
A mold inspection is essential for your familys health and well-being and ranges in cost from $450 to $800, with most people paying around $500 to inspect a 2,500 sq.ft. home, obtain two samples, and conduct laboratory testing. Typically, the price depends on the homes square footage and how many mold samples are obtained. At the low end of the spectrum, you pay $300 for a 1,000 sq.ft. area.
Mold is a fungus and requires moisture to grow and flourish. Even in small quantities, the mold spores can quickly become airborne in the home and lead to health problems for the inhabitants. The mold spreads and causes extensive structural damage. This situation requires repairs and mold remediation.
Mold testing is not always necessary. Many specialists agree that if you see mold, its enough to treat it. Therefore, testing is not always necessary. However, if your insurance requires it or you have specific health concerns that may be mold related, you can have your home tested. Always make sure you use an independent, third party testing agency. If you hire a mold remediation company, it is important to make sure they use a third party testing agency.
Mold Inspection : How Much It Costs And When To Get One
When buying a new home, you should consider getting a mold inspection. Mold inspection is a different process from typical housing inspections. The cost will vary depending on the size of the house. How much does mold inspection cost on a home? How do you know if it is it worth it to conduct mold inspection and testing?
There are a few different situations in which you might want a mold inspection. Let us look at when a mold inspection is needed, what mold testing does and the average cost.
Also Check: Getting Mold Off Leather
Is Mold Remediation Cost Covered By Homeowners Insurance
Dont assume that your property insurance can cover the cost of repairing your mold infestation. The mold remediation cost might not be covered. Insurance often compensates if the issue is the consequence of an incident already insured by your policy, such as a busted pipe, but not if mold is the consequence of neglect, chronic wetness or seepage, or flooding .
Usually, your house insurance provider would only reimburse what is specified in your plan, and the mold remediation cost is often not included. Certain covered risk cases, such as arson and burglary cover, are included on policies, but you can create extra coverage for your insurance plan. Mold remediation insurance may be a possibility to lower remediation cost.
Destruction from a flood, sewer backlog, or water leaking from the foundation are examples of conditions that promote mold growth and are typically not protected by property insurance and would most likely result in a mold remediation claim being denied.
Cost To Remove Mold Per Square Foot
Your average mold remediation cost per square foot starts at $15.00 and can go up to $30.00 or more. Its uncommon for mold to fill an entire space, so many companies will charge by square foot based on which area of your home has mold like your bathroom or basement. A more contained and smaller area like a crawl space has less square footage, so itll be less expensive to fix than a larger room. A general estimate of the mold remediation cost per square foot is:
- 50-Square Feet $750 to $1,500
- 100-Square Feet $1,500 to $3,000
- 150-Square Feet $2,200 to $4,500
- 200-Square Feet $3,000 to $6,000
- 300-Square Feet $4,500 to $9,500
Recommended Reading: How To Get Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
A Breakdown Of Mold Removal Costs
To further contextualize this, vents, the underside of the roof deck, bathrooms, and crawl spaces can typically cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 to remediate. For attics, drywall, concrete block walls, basements, and air ducts, costs can add up to $2,000 to $7,000. Worst case scenario, an entire home can cost you anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000. With every 0 added to the cost, the severity of the mold infestation increases.
Many people ask if their homeowners insurance covers mold remediation. The long and short of it is that youll have to check into your individual policy to verify coverage. Some insurance companies cover mold remediation, particularly if caused by a leak or flood, but if you ignored a small leak for a while, negligence could play a part in whether or not youll have coverage.
Repair And Materials Cost For Mold Damage
Heres our rough estimate of mold repair and materials cost for the removal of mold growth:
- Installation of new drywall: $950-$2,700
- Fixing of leaks in the roof: $375-$1,600
- Installation of new carpet:$725-$2,500
- Flooring repairs: $190-540
The cost of repairs and materials for the removal of molds may vary. It is best to consult with a team of cleaning professionals to get a better quote for your project.
Also Check: Mold On The Bathroom Ceiling
Mold Remediation Cost Per Square Foot
Most mold remediation professionals will charge an average of $17.50 per square foot for removal. Costs will range between $10-$25. For example, if you need removal in a 100 square-foot room, this project will cost you between $1,000-$2,500 total. Location of the growth is the biggest variable here when it comes to price.
Benefits Of Hiring A Pro Vs Diy
Sometimes, its possible to do it yourself when it comes to mold clean-up especially if the mold is confined to a small area.
However, if the mold damage exceeds 10 feet or is a risk to your health, its best to get a professional involved. Its also important to hire a mold professional if the mold is creeping into your HVAC system, as it could spread mold throughout your home.
Recommended Reading: Best Way To Clean Mold Off Ceiling
What Effects Does Mold Have On My Health
CDC has done research on mold and has come to the conclusion that mold can result in a number of different health issues. In general, the most common symptoms of mold exposure are:
- Eye, nose, lung, and throat irritation
- Coughing
- Stuffy feeling in the nose
- Skin irritation
If you have asthma and are exposed, the exposure could potentially trigger an attack. People who have compromised immune systems such as the elderly and young children can end up with more serious issues like lung infections.
Benefits Of A Free Consultation With A Mold Removal Specialist
We recommend all homeowners schedule a free consultation with a mold removal specialist. A specialist will inspect your home for mold, make sure all the mold has been located, and advise you about the work that needs to be done, all at no charge to you. You can get plenty of useful information and advice from a free consultation, even if you end up opting to do the work yourself. Talk to the mold removal specialist about ways to keep costs down during your free consultation.
Follow this link to get a list of qualified Mold Removal Specialists in your area. Additional Reading:
Mold Remediation Costs – Compare costs of doing it yourself vs. hiring a mold removal professional.
Mold Removal Costs – Additional information on the cost of mold removal. What you should expect to pay, ways to save money, other considerations such as using mold inhibitors. Overview of the mold remediation cost.
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Mold From Ceiling In Bathroom
What Does A Mold Inspector Do
A credible mold inspector will determine if mold is present in the home by performing some combination of the following tasks.
How Do I Identify Mold Infestations
Infestations of mold usually start of small, with just a few spores. They quickly grow to become a larger problem, however. The first sign of a possible mold problem is a musty smell. Other indicators include staining on walls, ceilings, or mold growing on visible surfaces such as walls. The increase or sudden onset of allergy symptoms can also be a sign of mold.
Get The Facts about mold
Although mold is an unpleasant fungus, it comes with some interesting facts. Here are a few:
- Mold can be found inside and outside, and if your home suffers from high humidity and moisture, mold can begin to grow in just 48 hours. Indoor humidity levels of over 45% are perfect breeding grounds for mold spores.
- Mold spores are microscopic and cant be detected by the human eye. They float on the air and can enter homes through the windows, open doors, or leaks and cracks in your homes foundation. They can also hitch a ride on clothing or in your pets fur.
- Before remediation can start, the areas that contain the mold must first be thoroughly dried and any leaks must be dealt with.
- Mold produces odor that can be described as musty.
Also Check: Skin Rash From Mold
Mold Removal Vs Remediation
Mold exists naturally in the air inside and outside of your home. Therefore, it is impossible to completely remove all mold from within a building. Microscopic spores still exist even after the problem has been addressed. Mold remediation is the process of cleaning and removing mold colonies and mold growth on surfaces inside your home. It helps to get mold levels back to what is considered normal for your area and air humidity levels. Because it is impossible to guarantee the removal of all the mold in a building, most companies offer what is known as remediation services, cleaning and removing the mold problem from your home.
Diy Cost Of Removing Mold
Taking on a remediation project yourself will range between $50 and $300 in total. That includes renting a wet vacuum to pull moisture from carpet and wood for around $30 per day. You can purchase a wet vac for $80 to $200.
For very small removal projects, you will only need water and detergent. There are also pre-formulated mold remediation solutions at home improvement stores that cost between $10 and $75. You’ll also need between $20 and $150 for safety equipment to protect your lungs.
Recommended Reading: Removing Mold On Bathroom Ceiling
What Causes Mold Growth
Any wet or moist area in your home is susceptible to mold growth. Mold spores thrive in dark, dank areas like bathrooms, attics and crawl spaces but mold can also grow anywhere these conditions are present. Pay extra attention to areas of your home that frequently experience leaks, condensation or poor ventilation.
Whole House Mold Remediation Cost
If mold and toxic spores are present in your whole house, expect to pay between $10,000 and $30,000 for remediation. This cost includes both the remediation process and the cost of water damage repair. If you want to ensure mold is prevented in the future, you may opt for replacing windows, improving your basement drainage system, and having the land regraded around the house foundation. This project requires the replacement of drywall, carpets, and other household fixtures, adding to the total cost of the project.
Recommended Reading: Water Filter Mold
Size Of Your Basement
Basement size is one of the primary determinants of mold removal costs.
Typical basement sizes range from 50 sq. ft. to about 300 sq. ft. For a 50 sq. ft basement, homeowners are likely to incur between $500 and $1.250. Prices increase for 100 sq. ft. basements which are likely to cost around $1,000 to $2,500.
For a basement measuring 150 sq. ft, expect a cost between $1,500 and $3750, one with a 200 sq. ft. space would attract around $2,000 and $5,000.
Mold removal contractors are likely to charge between $3,000 and $7,500 for 300 sq. ft. basements.
Mold Removal Cost Per Square Foot
The majority of mold remediation professionals charge around $12 to $27 per square foot. So, if you have a 120 square-foot surface, expect to pay between $1,200 to 2,700. Remember that the location and extent of mold infestation affect the costs of cleaning.
Heres an estimate of mold removal cost based on location:
Don’t Miss: Removing Mold From Shower Ceiling
Mold Remediation Costs For Common Areas + Types Of Mold
There are a number of common household places where mold tends to show up. There are also a few types of mold that predominantly grow in homes and businesses. As a result, many pricing structures include detailed pricing information for each of these treatments. Letâs explore some of the costs for common mold treatments.
Practice Mold Prevention In Your Home
Understand that moisture is the key to any mold growth. For this reason, it is very important that you regularly practice mold prevention at home in order to thwart any future mold problems. This includes taking actions such as leaving on the bathroom fan until the moisture has dissipated after a shower, turning on AC fan when you cook, opening windows periodically to allow fresh air to filter in and moisture to filter out.
It also includes mopping up any water from hard surfaces and especially from fabrics or carpets. If you spill water on the carpet, dry it up immediately. The longer it is allowed to sit there, the higher the chances that mold can grow. This is something to consider during the winter months especially when the colder temperatures might not dry out carpet as effectively as a hot summer day.
If you notice any leaks or sources of moisture in your home, fix them immediately and dry everything in the affected area. If any type of porous material has been damaged irreparably, throw it away immediately.
Pro Tip: To learn more about the best ways to keep mold out of your home, check out this complete guide.
Recommended Reading: Get Mold Out Of Grout
Materials Cost For Mold Repair
Depending on how much damage the mold caused before you found it and took steps to get rid of it, your mold remediation costs could increase between $2,000 and $20,000. These prices include both removal and repair of any surfaces, and they include the labor costs. You may include:
- Drywall Repair $1,000 to $2,500
- Fix a Leaking Roof $350 to $1,250
- Flooring Repair $200 to $500
- Install New Carpeting $750 to $2,500
- Seal the Foundation $2,000 to $6,200
Cost To Get Rid Of Mold In Drywall Or Concrete Walls
Getting rid of the growth on your drywall will range between $1,000 and $20,000. Where you land depends on whether you need a simple treatment or replacement of the entire wall and everything behind it.
If it’s been on the wall for too long, the material may no longer be usable. In that case, the price to repair your drywall adds another $300 to $825 to that budget.
Removing growth on wooden walls ranges between $700 and $5,000. For concrete mold, that range can go up to $10,000 or more if replacement is necessary.
Read Also: Best Way To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
Pricing Guide: How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost
Mold remediation costs an average of $2,347, with most homeowners paying between $1,373 and $3,325 or between $13.33 and $28.33 per square foot. Small-scale mold remediation projects average around $458, while the average cost for large-scale mold remediation is $6,333. If the moldy area is less than 10 square feet, you can save some cash and remove it yourself.
Mold remediation involves removing mold colonies from surfaces inside your home. Your pro will remove the colony, return the area to a normal humidity level, and repair and replace structural materials. In most cases, a pro will also remedy the underlying cause of the mold, such as a leak.
Total costs will vary depending on the mold colonys location, size, and damage. If you want to correct a roof leak or waterproof your basement out of concern for future mold growth, our pricing guide has those costs covered as well.
