How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost? (2025)
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Mold remediation costs typically range from $1,128 to $3,450, but homeowners will pay $2,230 on average, depending on how widespread the problem is. A little mold may not seem like a big deal, but it can cause structural damage to your home and serious health problems for homeowners.
Our guide explains how to identify and prevent mold growth and breaks down the cost of mold removal. It also explains if you can do it yourself (DIY) or need to call a mold removal service.
Note: Article cost data via Angi, Fixr, and Home Advisor.
Mold Remediation Major Cost Factors
Mold removal costs depend on the mold’s location, the affected area’s size, and the type of mold.
Location
Removing mold in hard-to-reach areas or places that require more time and tools costs more money. This is typical of crawl spaces or behind drywall.
Cost by Location
Here are common areas where mold can grow and what you can expect to pay for remediation.
| House Location | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Attic | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Basement | $500–$3,000 |
| Bathroom | $500–$1,000 |
| Crawl space | $500–$2,000 |
| Drywall | $1,000–$20,000 |
| HVAC | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Whole house | $10,000–$30,000 |
Size of Affected Area
The larger the contaminated area, the higher the cost of mold remediation. Mold removal costs between $10 and $25 per square foot, with an average cost of $2,230. If there’s extensive damage to your home’s structural components and you need to relocate during remediation, the total cost could increase substantially.
Cost by Size
Below are price ranges based on the affected area’s square footage.
| Square Footage | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 25 | $250–$625 |
| 50 | $500–$1,250 |
| 100 | $1,000–$2,500 |
| 150 | $1,500–$3,750 |
| 300 | $3,000–$7,500 |
Type of Mold
Some types of mold are more difficult and hazardous to remove than others. A mold test will identify the type of mold, which costs between $450 and $800. Most types of mold cost about the same to remove. Fusarium is the most expensive to remove. Removing fusarium costs up to $8,000.
Cost by Type of Mold
Here’s the cost to remove by type of mold.
| Type of Mold | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Chaetomium | $600–$5,000 |
| Ulocladium | $600–$6,000 |
| Alternaria | $700–$6,000 |
| Aspergillus | $700–$6,000 |
| Green | $700–$6,000 |
| White | $700–$6,000 |
| Fusarium | $800–$8,000 |
| Serpula lacrymans | $800–$7,000 |
| Stachybotrys chartarum (Black mold) | $800–$7,000 |
What Causes Mold Growth in Homes?
Mold spores are everywhere. They can enter your home through open windows, vents, doors, and HVAC systems. Or, they can enter your home by attaching to your shoes, clothes, and pets. When spores collect in areas with excessive moisture, they grow. This is how you end up with a mold problem.
Common sources of moisture are:
- Around air conditioners
- Attic from roof leaks
- Bathroom
- Behind drywall from plumbing leaks
- Dryer venting indoors
- Damp basement or crawl space
- House plants
- Humidifier
- Kitchen
- Poor ventilation of heating and cooking appliances
- Sealing around refrigerator door
- Window moldings
- Wet clothes
How to Identify and Prevent Mold Growth in Homes
Musty odors are a major sign that your home needs a mold inspection. If you find mold, you can purchase a mold testing kit to help you identify its type. If you want to do an in-depth inspection, use a hygrometer and moisture meter to check the air’s moisture levels, wood, concrete, brick, or drywall for dampness.
Here are a few ways to prevent or reduce moisture and high humidity levels in your home.
- Clean dirty or blocked air ducts.
- Dry your laundry outdoors.
- Ensure adequate ventilation throughout your home.
- Fix leaks as soon as they’re detected.
- Install weatherstripping around your windows and doors.
- Keep your windows open and fans on.
- Leave interior doors open.
- Seal crawl spaces using vapor barriers or encapsulation.
- Turn on dehumidifiers and air conditioners to remove moisture from the air.
- Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to vent moisture outside.
Professional vs. DIY Mold Remediation
It’s possible to DIY mold remediation, but only under certain conditions and precautions. Carefully consider these factors.
Professional
Mold removal companies typically follow the IICRC S520 Standard, which describes the necessary procedures and precautions for mold removal. Labor costs constitute most of the total cost of remediation. The total cost will increase if the remediation project requires specialty equipment, such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum, mold-proof suits, and face masks.
A professional mold remediation service will first perform a mold inspection to identify the mold’s source and the underlying problem. After they remove the moisture source, they isolate the affected area, usually with plastic sheeting, to keep mold spores from spreading to other areas.
Then wet or porous materials—carpeting, drywall, furniture, etc.—containing mold are removed from the home. Pros will then clean and vacuum non-porous hard surfaces to remove spores. Spores are also in the air, so a pro may spray the affected areas to remove them.
Once everything is clean, the affected area will be dried using fans or dehumidifiers.
Homeowners should consider hiring a professional mold removal service:
- Remediation companies have specialized knowledge and experience dealing with mold issues.
- Pros have the necessary tools and equipment to locate and remove it safely.
- It will save you time and money.
- Pros can control and reduce potential spread.
- Remediation companies can address the root cause of mold growth to ensure it won’t grow back.
DIY
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that homeowners can handle a mold problem if the affected area is 10 square feet or smaller. But if there’s significant water damage, there is a large amount of mold or mold damage, or mold is in multiple areas of your home, it’s best to call a professional.
Doing mold remediation yourself costs $50 to $300. This includes renting a wet vacuum to remove moisture from the flooring, which costs about $30 per day. Buying one will set you back $80 to $200. You’ll also need mold remediation solutions, such as bleach and other cleaning products, costing $10 to $75, which you can purchase from most home improvement stores. Safety equipment will cost an additional $20 to $150.
How to Reduce Mold Remediation Costs
Here are ways to save on mold remediation.
- Take immediate action: Repair any leaks or water damage as soon as possible. If you suspect mold, start cleaning the affected area or call a professional remediation company immediately.
- Submit an insurance claim: Contact your insurance company to see if your homeowners insurance policy covers mold removal. Insurance will usually only cover mold remediation if a covered event causes it.
- DIY what you can: You can DIY small areas of mold. Call a professional for water damage, black mold, or mold in multiple areas.
- Get multiple quotes: Get estimates from several reputable companies.
- Reduce moisture in your home: Take the proper steps to reduce moisture to lower the likelihood of a mold infestation.
Extra Mold Remediation Options
There are other projects you can do in tandem with mold remediation.
Basement
If your mold problem is in an unfinished basement, one option is to get it finished. Unfinished basements are prime locations for moisture and mold growth. Basement mold typically occurs when there is a problem with the foundation’s sealing.
Prices range between $2,250 and $7,100 to seal a foundation, while finishing a basement around 1,000 square feet costs $7,000 to $23,000.
Flooring
If the mold remediation involves removing and replacing carpet, laminate, vinyl, or other types of flooring, you can upgrade or change the flooring material. You could pay as little as $3 for some types of vinyl flooring or as much as $22 per square foot for high-end hardwood floors. You’ll pay $3,133 for flooring installation in a standard 320-square-foot living room.
Painting
You may need to repaint your walls if mold removal involves removing and replacing drywall, wood, or other surfaces. It costs $2 to $6 per square foot to paint your walls for materials and labor. Most homeowners spend between $968 and $3,039 for a fresh coat of paint.
How to Hire a Professional
You can DIY some mold removal jobs, but black mold removal or larger affected areas require a specialist. Here are some things to keep in mind as you review candidates.
- Make sure the mold remediation company has current licenses in good standing.
- Regardless of licensure, all specialists who do work on your home should be bonded and insured.
- Look at each company’s Better Business Bureau page, which displays its rating and accreditation status. You’ll also see how well they handle customer complaints.
- Ask for references from previous customers and check customer reviews on sites such as Google Reviews, Yelp, and Trustpilot.
- When getting estimates, inquire about the timeline for the project.
- Ask about warranties on both materials and workmanship.
- Make sure you understand the payment process and project timeline before handing over any money.
Our Recommendation
It’s possible to remove some mold yourself, but if the moldy area is widespread or you suspect toxic black mold, call a mold removal specialist to remove it. The total mold remediation cost can vary widely depending on its location, the affected area’s size, and the type of mold.
If there are several spots throughout your home, it could be a sign of a big moisture problem. Mold can substantially damage your home, lower indoor air quality, and cause health problems. When you notice signs of mold, contact a reputable specialist.
Mold Remediation FAQ
How long does mold remediation take?
How long mold remediation takes depends on the mold spread’s extent. The entire process can take anywhere from one to seven days.
Is mold remediation covered by homeowners insurance?
Your homeowners insurance company will only cover mold if it’s a covered peril in your insurance policy, such as an appliance malfunction, pipe rupture, or leak. Mold growth caused by neglect, flooding, or poor ventilation typically isn’t covered.
How do I know if mold remediation was done properly?
Mold remediation takes time, but itu0026#8217;s likely a success if you don’t see visible traces of mold or smell mold. If you see visible traces afterward or dirt and dust in the affected area, this could be a sign of failed remediation.
How do I prevent mold from coming back after remediation?
Keep moisture levels in your home down. Open up windows and use fans to circulate air, or turn on your air conditioning system or cycle air through your HVAC.
Is mold remediation tax deductible?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers mold remediation to be an essential repair required to maintain the value of your home, but you can only if it’s the result of a sudden and unexpected event. Otherwise, it’s considered a capital expenditure.
