How Much Does It Cost to Remove Mold?
Mold is a nuisance, and while some molds are more common and easier to remove, others are far more challenging and require professional aid. The longer you leave mold, the worse the affected area gets – and the more costly the overall job becomes.
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Read on to discover factors affecting the cost of mold removal and what you can do today if you have a mold problem in your home!
Average Cost To Remove Mold
The average cost to remove mold will depend on the type of mold, the area it affects, and whether it’s a small or large-scale project. The costs can span approximately $1,100 – $3,300.
Every home is different, but you can expect to pay an average of nearly $2000 for mold damage.
Factors Affecting Mold Remediation Costs
Location
- Attic – When your roof leaks, attic mold will thrive due to the moist environment. Generally, it costs between $1000-$4000 to get rid of attic mold, but this depends on how difficult it is to enter the attic. However, should the mold be large or have gone unnoticed for extended periods, it can be harder to remove and cost nearly $7000.
- Air Ducts – Air ducts require specialized cleaning to remove all airborne spores. Depending on the severity, removing mold from your air ducts can cost $600-$2000. One way to limit mold growth is to ensure regular cleaning. However, this will cost you $275-$500.
- Basement – Mold often grows in susceptible basements due to foundational problems. Removing mold from your basement usually costs $500-$3000, which can increase if the mold gets behind wooden paneling or walls.
- Bathroom – Bathrooms tend to be less costly, as most mold that grows from day-to-day condensation is visible. Usually, it costs $500-$1000 to remove, depending on the severity. However, if you get a mold that develops in hard-to-reach areas, such as under the bathtub, as a result of a leak, then removing the mold can cost approximately $8000.
- Crawl Space – Typically damp and dark, crawl spaces are the prime target for mold growth. Mold removal costs are far less than a bathroom leak at $500-$2000. Insulating these spaces can help prevent further expenses down the line. However, insulation isn’t always a cheap alternative.
- Drywall – If mold grows on drywall, it destroys it over time. If left, the cost to repair drywall will only increase as most companies will charge by the square foot. The more significant the surface area of mold, the more expensive it’ll be to remove. Typically this averages at $1000 if removed quickly, but it can stack up to $20,000 or more.
- HVAC and AC – The costs incurred for removing mold from these two systems will largely depend on your specific systems. For radiant heating, the costs could start from $1500, whereas for furnaces or air handlers, the average price will be $3000-$5000 due to complexities. It’ll cost you $3000-$10,000 to remove mold from the AC, thanks to the large amounts of moisture that’ll already be inside the system.
- Whole House – You may need to remove mold from your entire house if you’ve experienced large amounts of water damage from a flood. To remove mold, it’s likely carpet, drywall, and furniture will need removing and replacing, and you’ll likely need to fix the source of the water damage if not caused by a natural disaster. On average, this repair could cost between $10,000-$30,000 on top of replacing removed materials.
The Scale of the Problem
The scale of your problem will undoubtedly affect the overall cost. If you have a small-spreading mold that doesn’t require deconstruction, you’re looking at a cheaper removal cost.
Smaller-scale projects cost an average of $450, while large-scale removal costs $6000. If the affected area is less than 10 square feet, you can often remove this yourself. However, seeking professional services is best to ensure full mold removal.
Type of Mold
The type of mold will affect the cost and whether or not it’s likely to be a small or large-scale project.
- Alternaria – Alternaria is a prevalent type of outdoor mold most dangerous when it becomes airborne or carried into your home on the sole of your shoe. It can spread rapidly, especially if your home has high humidity, and will grow underneath carpets and wallpaper; removing this could cost $700-$6000, depending on the severity of the issue.
- Aspergillus – Another common type, Aspergillus, is more common indoors; what starts as a white, furry fungus changes color as it evolves. Typically, Aspergillus will grow well even in low-humidity environments and spread to fabrics and textiles all over the home. Usually, this is easier to remove because it’s more noticeable.
- Black Mold – Black mold is hazardous, particularly to those with respiratory conditions like asthma. As one of the most toxic types that’s difficult to remove, its removal costs stand between $800-$7000. Usually, black mold looks black or dark green and will stain surfaces as it grows; it can also grow in paper and fiberboard, making it harder to detect.
- Chaetomium – Chaetomium will typically appear after severe water damage. Its hallmarks include a blue-green shade, a musty smell, and brown spores. Chaetomium tends to develop in hard-to-detect places such as under carpets, in air ducts, or walls – and some species are carcinogenic.
- Fusarium – Unfortunately, Fusarium is fast-spreading on every surface. As a result, it’s hazardous; it can cause fingernail and toenail infections and septic infections should the spores spread into your bloodstream. This mold is typically found near water leaks and can cost between $800-$8000 to remove.
- Green Mold – Green mold is an umbrella term for several molds connected by color. For example, green mold can commonly appear on fruit or bread. It also encompasses Cladosporium and Aspergillus. If exposed continuously, it can trigger an asthma attack; if widespread, removing green mold can cost $700-$6000.
- Serpula lacrymans – Most identifiable by its yellow color, it can draw water from sources beyond its living space and grows best on dried wood. It’s incredibly challenging to remove and can cause severe structural damage as it grows. While not harmful to you, it harms the wood and materials on your property.
- Ulocladium – Ulocladium typically starts to cause problems after severe water damage. You’ll notice its brown-grey color, it has a suede-like look/texture, and it spreads rapidly. If not caught quickly, you could pay $600-$6000 to remove this mold.
- White Mold – Much like green mold, white mold encompasses several types due to the similar color. White molds blend into surfaces and spread before being detected, making them dangerous. As a result, the costs to remove white mold tend to be larger, from $700 to $6000.
- Cladosporium – Cladosporium will grow on almost all household surfaces, but luckily it doesn’t tend to cause severe reactions in people. However, some people might experience minor allergic reactions. Despite the lack of severity, it can still cost $700-$6000 to remove.
Labor
The square footage of mold often calculates the labor required. On average, labor costs work out at $99 per hour. The size of the project calculates these costs and, thus, the number of people required to remove the mold.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Inspection
If the mold in your home seems unmanageable, consider getting an inspection to determine costs and how best to remove the mold. An inspection alone can cost between $300 to $1000 before the work has begun.
Materials
If materials need replacing, this can make up about 40% of the total cost of mold remediation. These materials could be drywall, roofing materials, or foundation sealing materials, to name a few. Depending on the extent of the damage, the cost of materials will undoubtedly increase the overall cost considerably.
Extra Services
It’s essential to prevent mold from re-entering your home, although there may be additional costs. For example, a roof leak causes interior water damage and, thus, mold in your attic. On top of removing the mold, you’ll also need to pay for the roof to be repaired and better protected.
DIY Mold Remediation Costs
Removing mold yourself, if safe to do so, will likely cost less than getting professional help. For example, eliminating mold will cost you $50-$300 for small projects. In this situation, you could rent a wet vacuum for about $30 per day.
You’ll need to use bleach or a pre-formulated mold remediation solution to clean the area; these products range from $10-$75. However, you might only need water and a good detergent to clean effectively.
Additionally, you’ll need to add $30-$150 worth of protective DIY equipment, including goggles and gloves. While doing it yourself can be cheaper, you risk not entirely removing the mold, causing a repeat problem. With the professional service of All Dry USA, you can have peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Expensive To Get Rid of Mold?
It depends on the mold affecting your home and the scale of the problem. If you can remove the mold yourself, it can cost under $300. However, more significant issues will equal higher costs.
How Can I Save Money on Mold Remediation Costs?
Some costs are unavoidable, especially if the mold problem grows. The best thing to do is act fast if you have a mold problem and assess the damaged area to see if you can remove it yourself. If not, seek professional help to prevent mold from causing problems in the future.
Need Help Removing Mold? Call Us!
Don’t let your mold problem get out of hand, and don’t try to tackle larger-scale mold. All Dry USA is here to help with interior restoration, so get in contact as soon as possible to prevent mold growth and unnecessary costs.
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With Ben’s knowledge, and visionary leadership, All Dry USA has expanded into a national, full-service property damage restoration company with multiple locations across the United States. Ben holds numerous specialty licenses and certifications in restoration and construction.
