Mold Remediation Cost Guide - Expert Home Improvement Advice by Philip Barron

Once you’ve got a hunch that there is a growing mold problem in your home, you should then start investigating the extent of the problem, the damage, and the possible source of moisture. Although mold is quite common in most homes, it isn’t something that you should ignore because delaying repair and treatment will only cost you more in the long run.

First off, it can cause serious structural problems because fungi feed on organic matter such as wood and other porous parts of your home. Eventually, it will lead to decay and deterioration which will obviously cost you more in repairs.

Moreover, exposure to indoor mold can actually put your health at risk. In fact, according to the CDC, “In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.”

If you’ve only realized the gravity of the risks and effects of neglecting your regular house check-ups and maintenance, here’s what you can do and what it would cost you to put your home care back on track.

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Get your Home Tested for Mold

A lot of times, people are not able to recognize that they’re already struggling with mold in their home because there are no visible signs of mold. And so homeowners would only discover the problem by the time the problem has already grown out of proportion such as when someone is already suffering from allergic reactions from excessive exposure to indoor mold.

Having said that, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms that tend to subside after leaving the house, we highly suggest that you get your house tested for mold.

Nose, throat, eye or skin irritation
Coughing or wheezing
Nasal stuffiness
Headaches
Asthma Attacks

You can use mold test kits that are sold at an average of $40 which are good for spot testing but they are not always as accurate as other types of test (like air flow test) and only test a very specific spot and not actual air quality. If you would like a more comprehensive test for your home, then you will need to go with a qualified professional, they would be able to find hidden mold, identify the type of fungi plaguing your home, have an analysis of the extent of the infestation, and most importantly, test your indoor air quality for mold spores.

Typically, hiring a mold professional for mold testing will cost you at around $300 – $500 depending on the severity of the situation and the size of your home. This normally covers a control sample and a test sample and the third party lab fees but it could cost more if you have a very large home or a commercial space. You can ask mold test VA Beach for a more accurate and reliable estimate.

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation will help you remove and clean mold colonies taking shelter in your property and mitigate the spread of fungi in other surfaces inside your home. Generally, the process of mold remediation involves the following:

Containing the affected area
Removing mold-infested and water-damaged objects and materials inside your home which may include stripping off drywalls
Disinfecting the whole house including personal items
Applying HEPA (High-Efficiency Pressurized Air) filtration to prevent cross-contamination
Applying EPA-registered protective sealers
Conduct a clearance testing

Cost of Mold Remediation

The cost of mold remediation varies on the severity of the case, the damage, and the location where the mold is growing. But normally, mold experts charge an amount of $2 to $25 per square foot depending on what needs to be done. With that, you can get an idea of how much you would be shelling out, but better be prepared with a budget of around $1,500 to $8,000. And again, it can still go lower or higher than that depending on how grave the damage is and what needs to be completed (such as encapsulation and dehumidifier installation).

Attic Mold Removal Cost

The attic is one of the most prone areas to be terrorized by mold. One of the reasons is because it’s the highest area in your home that is exposed to roof leaks, which is a high source of moisture. So depending on the water damage, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000. However, if the problem has gone undetected for a long period of time, you might be dealing with a much more pressing issue which could set you back at around $7,000. You may also have to get soffit vents, attic vents or fans to increase airflow to prevent moisture build up.

Basement Mold Removal Cost

For basement mold, the usual rates are also around $2 to $25/SF Again, those rates could change depending on the assessment or in more complicated cases where the mold is hidden behind walls and wood panels, if plumbing work is required, if dehumidifiers are required. Every home is a bit different and really needs to be estimated by a professional.

Crawlspace Mold Removal Cost

For mold remediation services in crawl spaces is around the same cost as a basement( $2 to $25/sf) Nowadays, encapsulation is one of the most common preventive care done to crawl spaces so as to seal off the area, control moisture, keep humidity at a normal level, and steer clear of potential mold growth.