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How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost? (2024 Price Guide)

molds in the wall

Mold spores are everywhere, inside and outdoors. However, active mold is what you need to worry about—the black, brown, green, yellow, or pink fuzzy growths on your walls, in your tub, or on clothing. Some mold is benign, but others can be quite deadly, and the severity depends on the type and the individual’s sensitivity.

People with underlying allergies or asthma are more likely to be adversely affected by active mold, but no one wants it in their home because it’s unsightly and has the potential to cause health problems. Here’s what you can do yourself to fight mold or prevent it from recurring, as well as how much professional mold remediation costs if the problem has grown a little out of hand.

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What Is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation services basically deep-clean the infected areas. The professionals throw away or douse porous materials such as clothing into a chemical wash, and then they scrub or even destroy and rebuild the affected area. During the process, the company will seal the entryway between the moldy room and the rest of the house, and they’ll vacuum vigorously, while keeping the wet vac outside to prevent spores from flying through the air of your home.

The depth of mold remediation depends on the damage. If the mold is growing inside the walls, reconstruction will have to take place. This will cost considerable time and money, and you might even have to live somewhere else while the repairs are underway.

Mold Cleaning
Image Credit: Jovica Varga, Shutterstock

How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?

It’s difficult to say exactly how much it will cost to remediate mold in your home because every situation is different. That’s why it’s important to get an individual quote before planning and budgeting household expenses.

Mold remediation typically costs between $10 to $25 per square foot. Generally, mold in harder to reach areas such as behind the walls or in the HVAC system will lead to more costly repairs. The average cost to remediate mold damage in 2022 is $2,225. It will generally cost you over $1,000 but less than $4,000. However, if your entire house is affected, the final cost could be $30,000 or more, especially when you consider the cost of replacing damaged objects.

Will Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold Remediation?

Depending on the cause, your homeowner’s insurance might cover mold remediation but the situations are basically limited to an appliance malfunction. A busted pipe that causes water damage and subsequent mold would be covered, but mold from human or natural causes such as hurricanes or failure to install a bathroom vent would not. Fires are an exception because sometimes mold forms as a result of firefighting techniques. This type of damage would be covered.

Flood insurance sometimes covers mold remediation—as long as the damage was actually caused by flooding. Since mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars, it’s worth getting some quotes if you live in an area that receives a lot of rainfall.

molds on the bathroom floor
Image Credit: SritanaN, Shutterstock

Can I Conduct Mold Remediation Myself?

It’s recommended that you call a professional if the mold damage extends 3 ft. However, if you only have a minor mold problem, then you might be able to curtail it before it spreads.

Here are some ways you can stop mold in its tracks:
  • Dispose of infected, porous materials. It’s probably best to throw away cheap furniture or clothing that’s infested with mold to prevent it from spreading. Alternatively, you could try to clean it but you’re taking a risk.
  • Put a few drops of tea tree essential oils in your laundry detergent. Add about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to your slightly moldy load for best results. Tea tree kills mold spores naturally and will also take the foul odor out of your clothes.
  • Create your own essential oils spray. Mix 1 tsp. tea tree oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and mist moldy surfaces. Clove and eucalyptus have also been proven to curb the spread of mold if you don’t prefer the tea tree scent.
  • Wear a N-95 mask and clean the infected area with a wet vac. Make sure to wear a mask and open a window to force the vacuumed air outside to prevent spores from traveling through your home.
  • Use a dehumidifier and air purifier. A dehumidifier doesn’t kill mold; rather it sucks excessive moisture out of the air, which makes your house less welcoming to the fungus. An air purifier traps the mold spores, reducing them in the air.
  • Use bleach for non-porous surfaces. If mold is lurking on your bathroom counter, you can create a spray solution of 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water. Just make sure the room is well-ventilated, and you don’t spray bleach on your skin or clothes.  
Black Mold_Fevziee_Shutterstock
Image Credit: Fevziee, Shutterstock

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Conclusion

Man vs. mold is a battle no one wants to fight. If you live in a humid area that’s prone to flooding, you’ll probably encounter this fungal foe at some point. While there are some steps you can take to remediate mold at the DIY level, it’s best to call in mold remediation professionals if the affected area is larger than 3 ft., or if you suspect toxic black mold.


Featured Image Credit: D_Townsend, Shutterstock

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