When mold strikes your home, it can be a frustrating and daunting experience. Mold is a dangerous substance that can spread throughout your home quickly.
It not only gets everywhere, but it can also cause serious damage to your home's structure and the health of anyone in it. When you find mold in your home, you must endeavor to get rid of it.
Getting rid of mold is easier said than done.
There are numerous factors to consider, particularly when deciding whether or not to get rid of the mold yourself or to have a mold remediation service handle the job for you. One of the most common questions about mold remediation is how much the process costs if you turn to a professional.
Here we will break down what you expect to pay for mold remediation and the factors that lead to that figure.
What is Mold Remediation?
Many people make the mistake of thinking that mold remediation is simply the process of cleaning and removing mold. However, the process is more complex than that. Mold remediation does involve the killing and removal of mold from a home.
It also involves properly disposing of any materials too damaged by mold to be saved.
Factors Affecting Mold Remediation Costs
Size of the Affected Area
A smaller mold-affected area will be less expensive for you to deal with than a larger one. It is not simply a matter of a larger area being larger, it is more to do with the fact that a larger area typically means more work.
And a larger area may mean bringing in more workers to deal with the problem.
Type of Mold
It must be said that not all molds found in the home is the same. The truth is that most molds are relatively harmless to humans. However, testing is required to confirm the species in your home.
If you have black mold in your home, it constitutes a more significant health risk than if you were trying to get rid of a harmless mold. The higher the risk to the person carrying out the remediation, the more likely the amount you will pay will increase.
Location of Mold
They say that everything in life is location, location, location. That is especially true for mold growth.
If you were dealing with mold on your couch, walls, or ceiling, that is not prohibitively expensive. However, if it is determined that there is a water leak and mold growth in your attic, that space is much more difficult to traverse for the mold damage expert. So you will likely see a price increase there.
Containment Method
An important part of the mold remediation process is containing the mold in one area while it is removed. If only a small section of your home is afflicted with mold growth, then the odds are you will not have to spend a significant amount of money.
However, if the mold is extensive, there is a good chance that a large portion of your home will have to be contained. This process involves lining your home with polyurethane sheeting and sealing off those areas.
This is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process.
Average Cost of Mold Remediation
The first thing you need to understand is that if the mold you are dealing with is less than 10 square feet, you may not have to pay anything to get rid of it because you can handle it yourself. However, for anything larger than 10 square feet, it is strongly recommended that you turn to a damage mitigation company.
The average cost of mold remediation in the United States is between $10 and $25 per square foot of mold-affected area. As for an average for entire rooms, it gets a little pricier. For example, treating a single bathroom can range from $500 to $3,500.
Basement remediation could cost upwards of $3,500. And to perform remediation on an entire 2000-square-foot house, you could expect to pay $15,000 or more, depending on the square footage.
It needs to be understood that these are merely ballpark figures. The price could go up exponentially depending on where you live. If you live in an area prone to flooding or other forms of weather damage that lead to mold infestation, you may need to prepare to spend even more money.
Removal and Replacement of Damaged Materials
Arguably the most vital part of mold remediation is removing damaged materials or materials so infested with mold that they are beyond salvaging.
You need to factor in not only the cost of disposing of these damaged materials but also the cost of replacing them. Otherwise, your home will never be back to normal.
Investigation and Testing Fees
The first and arguably most important step of mold remediation is determining whether or not mold is actually in your home. Mold testing has different prices depending on the size of your home.
General testing can cost between $250 and $400. Inspection, on the other hand, is a little pricier.
For example, a mold inspection for a small to medium-sized house, typically below 4000 ft, can range from $300 to $400. Above 4000 ft, you could expect to pay in the $700 to $900 range.
Tips For Saving Money on Mold Remediation
Do It Yourself
As previously stated, if the area with mold is less than 10 square feet, you could technically do it independently, but we don't recommend it due to safety concerns.
If you choose this route, you must wear the proper protection. You will need to wear a respirator and rubber gloves. These are necessary so that you do not make direct contact with the mold or inhale any of the mold spores, which can make you sick.
By taking the DIY route, you will save yourself some money ultimately, and perhaps even time.
Just to be sure that you know what you are doing before you attempt this method because if you don't know what you're doing and don't use the proper protective equipment, you could spend the money you saved on medical bills.
To show you how bad the potential outcome is, governments have used mold as a biological agent of war.
Follow Preventative Measures
If you really want to save money on mold remediation, the best thing you can do is prevent the need for remediation. There are ways in which you can avoid mold infestation in your home.
First, inspect the plumbing in all areas where water is frequently used in your home. This means places such as the kitchen, the laundry room, or the bathroom. If you have a basement with plumbing installed there, you should also inspect the plumbing in that area.
Correcting leaky plumbing can prevent the moisture that mold needs to thrive.
You should also make sure to inspect the roof of your home. If there are any damaged or completely missing tiles on your roof, there is a chance a water leak in your attic. If there is water in your attic, then there is a strong chance that mold is already growing in there.
If mold is not already in your attic, then make sure to replace any damaged or missing shingles.
The other primary way to prevent mold growth in your home is to ensure proper ventilation and low humidity levels. Ensure that your home's event filter is regularly changed every few months.
If there is plenty of airflow, it will dry out your home and prevent mold from growing. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels low, typically between 30% and 50%.
Obtain Multiple Estimates
If you really want to save money on mold remediation, but it is too late for prevention, and the do-it-yourself route is not feasible, then your best bet is to shop around. Get quotes from different water damage services and see which estimate best suits your needs. Depending on your needs, you may find a mold remediation service willing to work with you on price.
Conclusion
Mold remediation is not necessarily cheap. Depending on the extent of the mold infestation and the damage it has done, you may be looking at some costly procedures.
However, taking care of this problem is far lower than the cost you will pay by letting the mold run rampant.
