If you have found mold in your home, you are most likely wondering how much you can expect to pay to get rid of it. Mold issues in houses and buildings are a problematic issue for property owners. Of course, mold is a serious condition and must be remedied right away to prevent it from growing into a bigger problem and causing more damage. You’ll want to take immediate steps to identify and remove the mold while also fixing the source of moisture that led to the environment which allowed mold growth. A looming question for homeowners when facing mold is the cost of the mold remediation. In this blog post we will go into the components of mold removal cost and estimate what you might expect to pay.
When you are deciding whether to take care of the mold yourself or call in a professional, consider these questions.
How much mold is in your home?
The more mold you have to deal with, the higher you can expect the price of mold removal to be. How deep has the mold gone? It can be difficult to assess how much the mold has grown beyond what you can see without a proper mold inspection, especially if it is hidden deep into walls or cracks and crevices. Surface mold is much easier to deal with and contain. There are many sprays and soaps that are made to kill and remove mold. Many homeowners may even be proficient enough to replace drywall and insulation on their own. The real problem arises when the mold has gone airborne or has gotten into several structural elements or has spread to multiple rooms or levels of the home. Sometimes it can be difficult to know how far the mold has traveled. The extent of the mold growth will is a big factor in the cost of mold remediation costs.
What caused the mold?
It is greatly beneficial to determine the source of the moisture that caused the mold when determining whether or not you should perform your own mold remediation. Obviously, the source of moisture must be remedied as well as the mold. Knowing the source of moisture may also help you determine how much mold is present, especially if you know how long the moisture has been an issue. For example, you may know that your roof started leaking from a small hole a month ago which may help you determine how much mold is present and how deep it has grown. Perhaps you had a flood or other known source of water into your home.
Where is the mold located?
Accessibility can impact the cost of mold remediation. If the mold is in an area that is easy to reach and clean or remove it will be less expensive than areas very hard to access, such as behind walls, underneath flooring, etc.
What type of mold is it?
Some molds are very toxic, while others are not has harmful. If specialized equipment or precautions are needed, the higher the cost of mold removal. Some mold removal may require special ventilation systems and cleanup. Those also will be a factor.
What type of mold remediation is needed?
There are numerous ways to remediate mold. Who you hire and the method they use will also affect the price of mold removal. In some cases mold may need to be cut out of building materials. Those building materials would need to be replaced. There is also chemical remediation, as well as mold fogging, dry ice blasting, and more. The method needed for your home will depend on the type of mold and where it is located.
Again, the problem arises when there are unknowns. Even if you find the source of the moisture, can you be certain on the length of time exposed and how deep the moisture has traveled? If you are uncertain, it is best to call in the pros.
The health and safety of your family is much more important than the price you’ll have to pay to remove the mold, but this guide will help you if you need to get a bid.
If the area is a small one, you can remove the mold yourself with just a few dollars worth of cleaning supplies. If you’re concerned about breathing the spores, you can get a respirator, which will cost from around $25 for a simple over the mouth and nose version, to around $150 for a full face professional level unit. If you’re unsure if you need a respirator there are 7 ways to know if a mold is dangerous. For large infestations, it’s time to call in the pros.
When The Job Is Too Big
It’s much cheaper if you can deal with the mold yourself, but large areas can’t be handled very easily be a homeowner. One of the things a mold remediation specialist can do is clean areas like the crawlspace under your home and the duct work in the walls and attic. Mold spores that get into your heating and cooling system can get recirculated through your home, continuing to make you sick even if you’ve cleaned up the area where you originally found the mold.
“Alright, so what can it cost?”
The level of infestation will directly affect your mold removal cost. The remediation cost of a crawlspace can really vary. It could be as little as $500 or as much as $4,000 depending on how big it is, and how much mold is present. If the attic and ducts are involved, the cost for those generally ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. If your home has been flooded and the mold is all throughout it, there is much more that has to be done. This could drive your remediation cost up to $10,000 – $30,000, or higher, depending on the size of your home.
On average the cost of mold remediation will be somewhere between $500-$6,000. For more difficult mold removal jobs it can cost over $10,000. The cost you can expect to pay will vary depending on all the factors listed above.
Even though you have an idea of how much mold removal costs, be sure to shop around. The first company you find might not be the best one for your needs. Pricing can vary between companies, but you also have to pay attention to the experience levels and what kind of guarantee they have if the mold comes back.
Remember Insurance Considerations
Most consumers don’t have that kind of money to spend out of pocket, so when you’re considering insurance, make sure you get something that will cover at least part of the remediation cost if you live in a flood zone. If your home has mold, here are some tips to handle water damage claims through your existing insurance. It is important to realize that typically mold remediation is not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies. There may be some exceptions, such as water damage from a burst pipe if there was no negligence involved.
Look For Experienced Remediators
You want people who’ve been removing mold (especially black mold) for a while, not new people who aren’t sure about the job. You’ll also want to see if there is some kind of guarantee offered – and there should be. You don’t want to find out that the people didn’t do their jobs properly and the mold has come back, only to be told that there is nothing that can be done until you pay more money.
When you choose to hire a certified, professional mold remediation company, you can rest assured that the job will be done thoroughly and completely. They will send experts to your home that will be able to assess the extent of the damage and inform you of the required remediation and repairs. They will also be able to ensure that the mold doesn’t return after remediation is performed.
Final Thoughts
If you suspect mold in your home, it is important to act immediately to prevent excessive damage from spreading. Mold removal may be expensive, however, the issues to the property damage and health risks make it a worthwhile expense. When you find a company where you feel comfortable with the people, the work ethic, the guarantee, and the remediation cost that fit with your personal finances, you’ll be able to get the mold removed from your home and you and your family can get back to enjoying your lives. You’ll be much healthier, and your home will be a safer place to be.
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