Cost of Mold Removal

One of the most stressful things to deal with when you have a mold problem in your home is the cost of mold remediation. The information here at Mold Advisor should answer some of your cost questions, and hopefully lessen the stress and anxiety associated with the financial aspects of the problem. We’ve broken down all the different considerations when it comes to determining the average cost of mold removal. In a 2018 industry benchmarking survey of mold contractors, the average cost of mold removal across the US was just under $2,500 which is made up of $108.00/per man hour, inclusive of all equipment, supplies and other costs. That report can be found here.

Determining the Average Cost of Mold Removal

Every mold removal instance presents different challenges with varying levels in the price to remedy the situation. The average cost of mold removal is related to the size and complexity of the mold issue the contractor will need to remediate. There are many aspects to mold removal adding to the overall cost. A mold removal specialist will estimate the work considering several factors:

·       Testing

o   In some cases, mold testing might not be necessary. If you can clearly see the presence of mold, then it is undoubtable that it needs treatment and removal. Mold removal is completed standardly, regardless of the kind of mold present. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to avoid this cost of testing if your insurance company requires it. You probably shouldn’t skip this step if you have certain health complications to ensure your safety. If using professional testing, you’ll want to utilize a third-party testing agency that won’t be related to the removal process. There are varying levels of testing that can be completed on-site or sent to facility. Prices range from $20 for in-home kits to $500 or more for professional testing.

·       Labor Required

o   The cost you will pay in labor for mold removal is situations. This means that the smaller the affected area, the lower your cost in labor will be. Generally, prices start around $500 and go up from there depending on severity. When mold is confined to smaller areas, you can expect to pay on the lower end of labor costs. Although, when you have a more widespread impact, you can expect to pay upwards of $4,000. When the mold has causes physical damage to the home’s carpeting, drywall, cabinetry, etc., you will pay for the labor to remove contaminated materials and replace them. This repair can cost up to $20,000.

Equipment needed

• When estimating the average cost of mold removal, you must consider what equipment is necessary to fully eradicate the issue. Mold spores can travel through the air, causing many health issues. To remove mold spores from the air, specialized equipment is often needed. Tools are also needed to remove the physical growth of mold from affected areas. Typical equipment used can include saws and demo tools, special air filtration machines, industrial size dehumidifiers, sanitation foggers, duct cleaning equipment, protective gear, and so on.

·       Supplies for job

• Whether hiring the pros or removing the mold yourself, there is a cost for the supplies involved. These can consist of cleaning supplies, masks and gloves, and plastic to seal off contaminated areas. You can shop around to lower the cost on some of these items, but contractors will inform you of this cost in your estimate. The cost of supplies to sanitize and encapsulate the areas affected by the mold can often cost $100.00 or more per gallon of specialty formulated mold killing cleaners and sealers. It’s important to remember these figures when calculating the average cost of mold removal.

Dumpster rentals and trash removal fees

• When you are removing mold from a home, you’ll have to have somewhere to put it. For smaller jobs, you might be able to get away with putting the mold in a sealed garbage bag to place with the rest of your regular trash. For larger mold cases, you will likely need to rent a large dumpster. The cost of large construction site style dumpsters and fees related to their delivery and pickup will need to be included in your calculations for mold removal. 

Fees from removal company

• Mold removal companies and contractors will also have fees associated directly to their own costs. These will come to you in the form of a fee on top of everything else, or they could be worked into the other categories. Certain costs that a they may incur include the cost of his liability insurance, various overhead, licensing and continued education, and the cost to generate a profit.

Deciding to Hire Pros or Do It Yourself

Naturally, using a contractor to remove the mold in your home will cost more than doing it yourself. However, mold can be hazardous to your health, so be very careful if you go it alone. If you have a minor problem and are confident you can safely clean it yourself, the cost will be only some cleaning agents and personal protective gear for you to wear while performing the work. Any moldy items you need to get rid of can be put in plastic bags and disposed with regular trash. Our guide has some good basic mold cleaning instructions.

·       Consider your knowledge

o   Educate yourself first on how mold can affect you and your home, the best practices for dealing with its removal, and when it’s advisable to call in a pro to help.  Many of these initial questions can be answered with some basic on-line research or by contacting a local mold remediation professional who provides free inspections and can guide you on the best way to remediate your specific mold problem. 

·       Consider your physical abilities

o   If you are physically fit, you shouldn’t have a problem with the act of mold removal. If your case requires the removal of housing materials, like drywall or carpeting, you may need to consider your level of strength. Injuring yourself physically can lead to required medical care. This could translate to medical bills that can cost more that the mold removal itself. Take precautions to ensure your safety while assessing and removing any mold.

·       Consider your health

o   When deciding to remove mold yourself, you will need to consider your health. If you have a compromised immune system or respiratory conditions, you may want to leave the job to the professionals. Mold spores are too small to see. You could become sick from breathing them in. Exposure to mold can cause coughing or wheezing, and nasal stuffiness, and irritation to the nose, throat, eyes, skin, and lungs. In more serious cases, some can experience asthma attacks or even lung infections.

·       Consider your budget

o   If you are not confident you can rid your home of mold contamination, begin with a call to your homeowner’s insurance agent. In some cases you may have mold coverage in your policy to help with some of the costs. Your agent can advise you on steps to opening a claim and getting a determination on coverage from your property insurance company. The choice of contractors to perform the work is up to you. A professional mold remediation contractor will follow a standard of practice for the work that has been defined by one or several national organizations and government entities for mold removal in your home.

o   Mistakes lead to higher costs. If you don’t fully eradicate the mold, it can regrow and spread to other areas of the home. You must also be sure to correct the issue that lead to the presence of mold in the first place. Whether this was a leaky pipe or a faulty septic tank, reoccurring moisture will lead to new mold growth. 

o   There is nothing like the peace of mind that professional guarantee can give you. This value means you won’t have to pay for services again if an issue arises because of an oversight. Hopefully, with the use of professional mold removal contractor, you won’t have to worry about these occurrences at all. It’s important to research the warranty of any company or individual you decide to hire. 

Average Cost of Mold Removal Based on Location

·       Cost To Remove From Your Attic

o   Moisture from leaking roofs or air conditioning units can lead to mold growth in your attic. The longer these problems have persisted, the more mold you likely have. This means bigger expenses in mold removal. On average, mold removal in attics ranges from $1,500 to $3,500. However, the costs can upwards of $10,000 where extensive damages have occurred.

·       Cost To Remove From Your Bathroom

o   Faulty ventilation or altogether absence of ventilation in bathrooms leads to the growth of mold in bathrooms. The moisture from running showers, sinks, and bathtubs creates steam and humidity. Mold can also collect in the drains of a bathroom. Mold removal costs in this area of the home range from $500 to $1,500.

·       Cost To Remove From Your Air Ducts

o   Air ducts can become overgrown with mold from the hot and cold air producing moisture inside the vents. These systems involve expert work because mold spores can become airborne. A total replacement of your air ducts and vents may be required, or they could only need a special cleaning. It is possible that you will need to replace your furnace as well. Costs can start as low as $2,000 on average, but these prices can soar over $8,000 dependent on what work is needed.

·       Cost To Remove From Your Crawl Space

o   Crawl spaces can present a problem for mold removal because of the tight space to work in. Typically, the mold removal process takes between five and eight days. This is done by pumping in dry air to remove the moisture, removing the mold and all debris, sealing the wood and framing prevent new growth, installing vapor barriers, and wrapping pilon supports. Total mold removal in crawl spaces ranges from $500 to $1,500.

·       Cost To Remove From Your Basement

o   Basements are a common area where homeowners may experience mold. Because this part of the home is underground, it may experience higher levels of humidity. These areas are often where utilities and pipes that are prone to leaks are located. Prices to remove mold from basements range from $500 to $2,500.

·       Cost To Remove From Your Entire House

o   If you’ve experienced a major event of flooding or a prolonged roof leak, mold can grow throughout the entire house. The average costs for whole-home mold removal range from $15,000 to $30,000. There are additional costs to prevent regrowth, like window replacement and drainage system improvements, to consider in these costs.

Additional Costs

·       Repairs

o   When you consider the average cost of mold removal, one of the biggest expenses can be in the repair of affects areas or the initial source of the problem. When factoring your own personal costs, remember that the cost to repair or replace a leaky pipe is much different from repairing or replacing an entire septic tank.

·       Enhancement and Improvement Costs

o   It’s important to consider the costs to repair the problem that lead to the mold growth in the first place. Still you’ll need to think about steps you’ll want to take to prevent problems from coming back or starting in a new area. For instance, if a leaky window on one side of the house caused the mold to grow on the drywall in one area, you may want to consider replacing the windows in your whole house.

Summary

Determining the average cost of mold removal can be complicated, since there are so many factors that affect these figures. Every situation is different and requires careful determination of how to proceed. If you are choosing to handle the mold removal on your own, reference our guide. If you’re looking to hire a professional, you can find one in your local area by contacting Mold Advisor. Consider getting several quotes and evaluations before choosing a mold removal contractor. Many offer free estimates. 

Written by Joe Battisto.

Free Home Inspection By A Mold Removal Specialist

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This attic mold removal job included replacing insulation, duct work, removing the mold and encapsulating the entire attic. It took a crew of 3 a week to complete and cost $13,500.