Mold Removal Cost Calculator
Don’t let your remodeling budget go over-board by hidden surprises – understand what the average costs of Mold Removal is in your zip code by using our handy calculator. If you’re looking for the Cost of Mold Removal materials and what Mold Removal cost might be, you’ve come to the right place.
As an experienced licensed home improvement contractor, I know first hand what it should cost for various levels — from Basic, Better, and of course the best. The Mold Removal estimator will provide you with up to date pricing for your area. Simply enter your zip code, next click update and you will see a breakdown on what it should cost to have Mold removal done at your home.
| Mold Removal Costs | Zip Code | Per Sq. ft. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Better | Best | |
| Mold Removal – Material Prices | $8.00 – $10.00 | $12.00 – $14.00 | $15.00 – $17.00 |
| Mold Removal – Cost | $18.50 – $20.00 | $21.00 – $23.00 | $23.50 – $26.00 |
| Mold Removal – Total | $26.50 – $30.00 | $33.00 – $37.00 | $38.50 – $43.00 |
| Mold Removal – Total Average Cost | $28.25 | $35.00 | $40.75 |
Cost of Mold remediation
When it comes time to pay for remediation, you’ll quickly learn that remediation services can cost anywhere from $500-$4,500. This cost takes into consideration the following:
- The size of the area with mold. The more mold you have in your home to take care of, the more you’ll be paying for the service. Small spaces will cost around $500, while large areas such as entire basements or an attic can cost closer to $5,000.
- The location of the mold is a big factor in the cost of remediation. If an HVAC system has been infested, the cost will be high ($3,500-$7,000).
- If fabrics such as carpets have been involved and are unable to be sufficiently cleaned, they will need replacement, as will floor sheathing and insulation that has been damaged.
- Roof leak damage. If the sheathing can’t properly be cleaned, the sheathing and the section of roofing above would need to be replaced. A typical cost between ($1,800-3,500) on average depending on size of area.
What causes mold?
Mold is a kind of fungus that presents itself in a thread-like structure and can be found all over the world. Mold starts to cause a problem it begins tog row inside of homes and residential dwellings. This happens when mold spores manage to get into damp areas and grow.
A few causes of mold inside the house are:
- Leaks in the roof or around pipes
- High humidity in warm areas such as: Bathrooms and laundry areas.
- Basement Flooding
Once mold has started to grow in your home, it spreads rapidly. If mold is present in one area of your home and suddenly damp areas like the bathroom become very humid, the spores will fin their way to the damp area so that they can take root there.
Where is mold commonly found?
Mold can grow nearly anywhere, but within the home, it is usually found in the following areas:
- Attics ( typically around leaky areas of the roofs sheathing and bathroom vents.
- Inside of wall cavities
- Bathrooms and laundry room
- Underneath the kitchen & bathroom sinks
- Duct-work & Ventilation systems
- Crawlspaces
- Basements
If any area of your home has a high amount of humidity and moisture, mold can start to form, so keep an eye out for it.
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 can’t 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 home’s foundation. They can also hitch a ride on clothing or in your pet’s 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.
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.
Testing for mold
Mold testing isn’t always necessary. According to any experts, if you see mold, you should treat it right away. If your insurance requires a mold test, however, or if you have health problems that could be mold related, you will need to have your home tested.
Be sure that you use a third-party testing agency. If you use a remediation company, make sure that they use a third-party agency. These testing agencies won’t give you advice or charge for any remediation. They will only test the mold and let you know what type of mold it is.
You can test for mold in a few different ways. The first is a rapid scratch test, which is done by collecting a sample of the mold and applying it to different chemicals to decipher reactions. Another form of testing is taking a sample and sending it to a lab.
Testing for mold can cost as little as $20 for a home test kit, and as much as $500 for a professional test. It’s important to keep in mind that mold testing isn’t warranted, as remediation companies will go on with their remediation regardless of what kind of mold you have.
The process of remediation
- Step #1: Remediation starts with the drying of the infected area, Industrial sized fans and dehumidifiers are sometimes used to help dry the area. Also, if the source of the excess moisture hasn’t been fixed, it should be remedied before remediation continues.
- Step #2: After the area has dried, it will undergo an inspection and any testing that may be needed. The area that will be tested is sealed to void mold spores spreading through the air. Sealing the area involves using physical barriers like plastic sheets, and negative air pressure that prevents the circulation of contaminated and uncontaminated area. Heating and cooling devices, as well as all fans, will be turned off at this time.
- Step #3: The air within the room is then going to be cleaned using “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums that will work together to remove any mold spores from the air.
- Step #4: Next, the cleaning of infected areas will begin. Antifungal and antimicrobial cleansers will be used on hard surfaces that have been infected- they will remove mold spores from the hard surface. Furniture, toys, and any other furnishings that have been infected will usually be removed and treated offsite.
- Step #5: Any odors are then removed by using fogging equipment.
- Step #6: Any surfaces that can’t be cleaned are then removed. This includes drywall, carpet, and wallpaper. New surfaces are then installed, which ca be as simple as placing a new sheet of drywall or as complicated as the compete removal and replacement of all surfaces within the area.
DIY or professional Mold remediation?
Although it’s possible to clear many surfaces of mold all by yourself, there can be advantages to using a professional remediation. The EPA claims that if the area that has been affected is less than 100 square feet in size, you can probably clean the mold by yourself. Any jobs that are larger or have been caused by water damage should be dealt with by a professional.
It often isn’t enough to just clean the effected areas, as mold is microscopic and can’t be seen by the naked eye. Remediation from a professional will involve all aspects of the process including sealing, filtering, odor removal, and clean and killing the mold spores. DIY methods of mold remediation will clean the visible mold, but more than likely won’t kill the microscopic spores.
If the infestation is small enough that you can use a DIY method, you can usually effectively clean the mold with detergent and water.
If you require professional help for handling the issue, you can rest assured that all aspects of the infestation will be handled including filtering the air. Cleaning a large infestation yourself can result in the infestation spreading, as the air won’t be adequately filtered and rooms won’t be properly sealed.
Prevention of mold
EPA has come up with a list of recommendations for preventing mold. Here they are:
- Fix leaks right away
- Dry areas that are damp or wet thoroughly
- Clean all hard surfaces with a mixture of water and detergent
- Remove and replace rough surfaces like drywall and ceiling tiles, as sometimes the mold can’t be completely eradicated from these surfaces
- Don’t paint moldy areas
- Wear a face mask and gloves when handling mold, and be sure to wash yourself and your clothes in hot soapy water afterwards
The cost of improvement
Simply cleaning the mold doesn’t usually kill infestations. If there has been ongoing water damage and mold growth, you may need to repair large portions of your home. Typically, this costs from $8,000-$21,000 on top of the initial remediation costs of $500-$4,500.
Other costs and considerations
- Testing for mold is usually not recommended if you can clearly see the mold within your home.
- Certain types of mold can be highly toxic. Address the mold issue as soon as you can to prevent sickness.
- Untreated mold can eat through drywall, siding, subfloor, and lumber which might mean that these areas need to be replaced.
- Sometimes your insurance company will cover the cost of remediation- especially if the mold has grown because of a flood or water damage.
- Remediation isn’t a guarantee, as mold spores are always in the home. Air testing can be done, however, to ensure that the amount of mold spores within the air of your home is within a safe level and no cause for concern.
- Get 3-5 different price estimates before hiring a professional company.
- In the case of mold in your HVAC systems, shut off all air circulation systems to prevent the spreading of spores. A specialized team may need to be called to dismantle and clean the ducts, which can come at a cost of an extra $2,500+.
- Any inspectors that you hire should work outside of a remediation company and should never push mold-related products on you or try to tell you that one type of mold is worse than the other.
- An inspector should have te results of air and surface samples that have been taken. He or she should tell you if you are able to DIY the issue, or if you need professional help.
View other House and Home Mold Types:
External References:
- Fema.Gov — Understanding home mold growth and exposure to mold. Added Jan. 23, 2015
- EnergyStar.Gov — Mold, mildew or musty odors, diagnosis and treatments. Added Jan. 16, 2022
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A lawyer never retires. So I would just say that I am not as active as I used to be. Now I simply dedicate myself to fishing, my hobby, and my grandchildren. For Business Finance News I write about legal aspects of mortgage policies, mostly regarding the rights of policyholders. I also have articles about personal injuries.
