Mold spores are a part of nature and float freely in the air we all breathe. Since they are microscopic they can easily find their way into your home, office, or commercial property. At this level trace amounts of mold spores are harmless. It’s when those mold spores find a warm, damp, and often porous space that they can germinate toward becoming a potentially harmful colony.
If you have noticed signs of mold in your home or office, it can be hard to identify the severity and spot every source. Furthermore, attempting to remediate a severe mold problem on your own can potentially stir up the colony, sending new mold spores and potentially harmful mycotoxins into the air. You might end up cleaning away one mold colony, only to find that you’ve helped the spores to spread somewhere else.
Further compounding the problem is the fact that many of the cleaning products available at the consumer level are ineffective for long-term mold remediation. Even bleach lacks the potency to kill the microscopic roots of a mold colony once it embeds itself deep in a porous structure.
Keep in mind that these costs are general costs, and not hard costs. There are a lot of things which come up over the course of an inspection that changes things drastically. Things such as the gutting of a location, sheetrock or floor removal, replacements of materials , the size of a space, if there is a need for encapsulation, negative air flow machines, drying machines and how many or how long they need to be running for, etc… Just because we see a small spot of mold, we have no idea just how much mold is hidden inside the walls, underneath flooring, or under difficult to reach crawl or attic spaces. Generally speaking the cost is anywhere from $3-$10 a square foot.
Professional Mold Inspection
A professional mold inspection is a critical first step in identifying the type and severity of the mold problem in your home or business. It can also help to assess which rooms have major mold problems and which ones are relatively safe. This can further help assess if certain rooms need to be blocked off or protected during the later mold remediation process.
How Much Does A Mold Inspection Cost?
On the average a professional mold inspection can cost between $240 to $800 depending on the size of the area that needs to be tested. This might include taking air samples, as well as surface samples and material testing. Every air sample that is sent to an independent lab has a cost involved. In addition, some locations such as New York require a licensed hygienist to do the inspection, which is separate from the mold remediation company.
However, mold testing isn’t always necessary in a residential setting. Usually a visual indication is enough to let professional mold remediators know that there is a problem and how to properly eliminate it. It’s commercial properties with large spaces that sometimes go unnoticed and potential liability issues where professional mold testing is more strongly indicated.
Mold Remediation Costs & Locations
The cost to remediate mold from a home of office setting can vary depending on the size and severity of the mold infestation. It can range in price from as low as $150 to as much as $5,000. Though in many cases the mold colony is limited to one or two vulnerable locations, which might be remediated and all infested materials removed for a much lower price than a complete whole home remediation.
The Cost To Remediate Mold In A Home Ventilation System
Home ventilation systems are one of the more common places where you can find an indoor mold problem. This is often due to humidity being trapped in the vents as well as a system that has been overtaxed by high summer heat and humidity. The cost to remove mold from a ventilation system and ductwork can range from $250 to $600.
The Cost To Remediate Mold From Underside Of A Roof Deck
The underside of a roof deck is also one of the more common places to find a mold colony. It is important to note that this area is often treated separately from the rest of the attic, as leaks from the roof are the main cause of the underlying mole problem. The cost for mold removal is between $500 and $1,000, depending on the severity of the mold problem.
The Cost To Remediate Bathroom Mold
The bathroom is one of the most common interior places to find mold. This is often due to poor ventilation, lack of using the available ventilation, and the frequent presence of humidity. Bathroom mold is often found in the shower, bathtub, sink, drains, or even the walls above the shower. The cost can range from $350 to $1500.
The Cost To Remediate Mold In A Crawl Space
Since they are rarely visited crawl spaces tend to be an area in the home where mold colonies can develop and go unchecked for months or even years. Depending on the size of the crawlspace and the severity of the problem the cost for total remediation could range anywhere from $1500 and $3,000.
The Cost To Remediate Attic Mold Removal Cost
Roof leaks and clogged gutters can allow water easy access to your home’s attic. Once there the porous surfaces and the fact that attics are rarely visited can allow a mold colony to grow unchecked for months or even years. Depending on the severity of the mold problem in your attic the cost of remediation can range anywhere from as low as $1000 to as high as $7,000. This does not include the cost to replace things like mold-infested insulation that may need to be removed.
The Cost Remediate Drywall Mold
The porous nature of drywall makes it a prime breeding ground for mold. Especially if there has been a past water intrusion event that has allowed mold to grow unchecked behind the drywall. Mold colonies on drywall are also more common around a home’s wet wall or in an area with leaky pipes. Depending on the severity the cost to remove and properly dispose of the affected dry wall might range anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000.
The Cost Of Basement Mold Remediation
Just like crawlspaces and attics, basements are also prone to unchecked mold problems. The high humidity and consistent temperature of a basement can promote mold growth in a relatively short amount of time. If it is caught early the cost to remediate a basement mold problem can be as little as $750 to $3,500. Though a severe mold problem in a basement can cost as much as $8,000. A huge factor is if the basement is a finished basement, or its just cement.
How Much Does Complete Whole Home Mold Remediation Cost?
There are some severe cases where mold has been left to spread unchecked for months or perhaps years. This is more likely to be the case in a “Hoarder’s” home, an unattended foreclosure, or a home that was left uninhabited for some time.
Of course, the cost of whole home remediation will vary by square footage, and severity or the presence of active water damage. As a rough ballpark figure most whole home complete mold remediation projects will cost anywhere from $10,000 to as much as $30,000.
