How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?

Mold is everywhere. Normally, though, the amount we encounter is low enough that most people aren’t affected.

But even a patch of mold the size of a bath towel can sometimes cause respiratory problems. People without diagnosed health conditions can experience allergy-like symptoms — like sniffling, sneezing and runny nose — if they inhale a lot of mold spores. People with compromised or suppressed immune systems face a risk of fungal infection. And if your kid has asthma or your dad has COPD, for example, mold in the home could make it harder for them to breathe.

You can reduce the health risks by getting rid of the mold in your home. Here’s how — and how much it’s likely to cost you.

What is black mold?

"Black mold" and “toxic mold” aren’t species of mold. They’re just descriptions. According to the   Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a mold’s color doesn’t provide any clues as to how dangerous it can be.

The greenish-black toxic mold that we hear about in the news is Stachybotrys chartarum. It’s one of several molds known as toxigenic fungi. These molds produce mycotoxins, which reside in their spores. Contact with this mold can cause skin irritation and lung inflammation.

Stachybotrys chartarum lives on damp or decaying materials. In a home, this could include fiberboard, ceiling tiles, wooden furniture, and gypsum board. Like all molds, it spreads by releasing microscopic spores into the air. When they land, they form a new colony within about 48 hours. That’s why it’s important to remove mold as soon as you see it.

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What conditions lead to black mold?

Mold lives in places that provide:

• Constant moisture from water damage, leaks, infiltration, flooding, and condensation

• Humidity above 60%

• Temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit

• Access to “food” sources like cellulose and decomposing matter

Data from the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that household mold is most commonly found in:

• Roofs and windows

• Wallpaper, carpet, and upholstery

• Wood

• Drywall

• Kitchens, laundry areas, and bathrooms

• Tile and grout

• Basement walls

Who is most at risk for health problems from black mold?

Your family’s risk is higher if one or more of you have:

• Allergies

• Suppressed or weakened immune system

• Lung cancer or other underlying lung disease

• Chronic respiratory disease like COPD or asthma

What are the symptoms of black mold exposure?

Less common but still possible is hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a disease similar to bacterial pneumonia. Also, unexpected infections may take hold in people with weakened or suppressed immune systems.

How do I know if I have a mold issue?

Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled. The greenish-black Stachybotrys chartarum gets a lot of attention, but molds actually come in many colors, including white — so you may smell the mold before you see it.

Infestations often produce a moldy or musty aroma that some people describe as dusty, earthy, or meaty. The mold may take the form of furry patches, dark spots, or speckles.

Who do I call to have my mold situation assessed?

If you smell or see mold in your home, it’s not necessary to identify what kind of mold it is. The CDC doesn’t recommend sampling or testing. That may seem odd, but it’s because test results wouldn’t have much value. Your health risk would still be unknown, as mold’s effects on individuals vary widely.

Instead of an assessment, put your budget toward removal — also known as remediation. A large mold infestation should be handled by an experienced technician using advanced equipment and techniques.

Tips for hiring a mold removal specialist

• Make a list of possible contractors. Ask friends, neighbors, or your insurance agent for names. Check possible vendors’ reputations.

• Get a proposal. Request a detailed timeline of the proposed process, with price estimates for each step.

• Work only with qualified vendors. Ask for contractors’ qualifications, info on their trade or professional group memberships, and references from past clients.

• Inquire about guarantees. Find out if the contract will specify a guaranteed mold-free period.

• Interview candidates. Ask each contractor about the process, their credentials, and any conflicts of interest.

• Sign a contract. Make sure it details the scope of work, including the schedule, materials, costs, and status reports.

Once my remediation has been scheduled, is it safe to be home until the mold is removed?

If you have a medical condition, ask your doctor whether you should move out temporarily. 

If you decide to stay, reduce your exposure to the mold. The CDC recommends steps like sealing off the moldy area with plastic and spending more time outdoors.

How much does the mold remediation cost?

It depends. Research by home-improvement site Fixr puts the average cost of remediation in the U.S. between $10 and $25 per square foot. According to that site, people typically pay:

• $500 to $1,500 for a bathroom treatment

• $3,500 for a basement remediation

• $15,000 for remediation of an entire 2,000-square-foot house

Of course, the cost of your mold removal will depend on the location, size, and type of mold you have, as well as the cost of labor in your area.

Are there cheaper options?

Sometimes. If the affected space is small — say, less than 10 square feet — you might be able to treat it yourself. The CDC recommends cleaning and drying your house within 24 to 48 hours of discovering the mold.

That may not get rid of all the mold, though. Mold can hide in places you can’t see, like your heating or air conditioning ducts or behind walls. That’s why it could make more long-term financial sense to call in the pros.

Does my homeowners or renters insurance pay for mold removal?

Unfortunately, it’s not likely. Mold remediation is only covered in very specific circumstances outlined in your policy.

For example, water damage and related issues like mold may be covered if they were caused by named perils in your policy. That could include water damage from a broken water heater but usually not from flooding. For that, you need flood insurance, which is offered by the federal government.

Contact the carrier for your homeowners or renters insurance to learn more about the named perils in your policy and to find out if the company offers an optional mold rider.

What should I expect during my mold remediation?

Most mold remediation projects go something like this:

• The work area is sealed off with plastic sheeting to contain mold spores and other airborne debris.

• Moldy, porous building furnishing and materials — like drywall, insulation, carpeting, and baseboards — are removed and replaced/rebuilt. 

• The air is cleaned with HEPA air scrubbers and air exchanges, a fan-and-vent system that moves inside air out and pulls outside air in.

• Remaining mold and mold stains are treated with antimicrobial chemicals.

• A sealer or encapsulant is applied to affected areas to increase water resistance and odor control.

• Air ducts may also be cleaned.

How long does mold removal take?

The typical mold removal project lasts 1 to 3 days. Larger infestations can take up to 5 days to remove. 

You may want to wait longer to return home if someone in your household is sensitive to smells from:

• Paint and new carpeting

• Chemicals used for cleaning

How can I prevent the recurrence or regrowth of mold?

Mold is everywhere, all the time. Your goal should be to keep it in check.

The CDC suggests:

• Keeping humidity between 30% and 50% by using air conditioning or dehumidifiers

• Fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes immediately

• Cleaning up standing water, water damage, and flood impacts quickly

• Avoiding carpeting in moist, wet areas like basements, mudrooms, and bathrooms

• Adding mold inhibitors to paints

• Using mold-killing products for cleaning bathrooms and other wet areas

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Margot Lester

Margot Lester began her journalism career as a teenager, reporting news from the high school for her local paper. In the course of her 38-year career, she has written for national magazines, big-city newspapers, business journals, and trusted websites.

Edited by:

Caren Weiner, MSIS

Caren Weiner, MSIS, began her personal finance journalism career in 1986. She worked as a reporter for Money magazine and co-wrote its book-length “Guide to the 1986 Tax Reform Act.” From the beginning, she immersed herself in data on mutual fund total returns and marginal tax rates.

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