Mold inspections cost anywhere from $300 to $1000, with the average inspection costing around $650. Additional testing can cost anywhere from $200 to $700, and the cost of mold removal can range dramatically from as low as $500 to as much as $10,000.
Mold is a fungus that grows readily in damp, dark, cool environments—so pretty much anywhere in your home that has excess moisture. Not all mold is harmful, but regularly inhaling spores can cause mild to moderate allergy symptoms and induce asthma attacks in asthmatic individuals. It can also damage affected areas of your home, leading to more expensive removal and repairs over time.
Needless to say, if you suspect there might be mold in your home or if you’re looking into buying a new home, a mold inspection can help save you a lot of headaches in the future.
To help you better understand the mold inspection and removal process, Jerry
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How much does a mold inspection cost?
The average cost of a mold inspection is around $650, but this price can vary substantially. Mold inspections can cost anywhere from $300 to $1000 depending on a handful of facts, such as:
The accessibility of the affected areas
The type of testing required
You can buy DIY mold testing kits for as little as $40, but they are very limited in the scope of the information they provide and are not nearly as accurate as professional tests. Home mold detectors may be able to tell you that mold is present, but not what kind of mold it is, or how much there is.
What to expect from a mold inspection?
If you decide you need a mold inspection, the process would start with a visual inspection. The technician would come and inspect your home for signs of mold, moisture accumulation, and water damage.
During the initial visit, they might employ a moisture mapping device to identify areas of higher moisture and they may take some samples to analyze in the lab. The initial inspection results would inform you about the next steps, whether there is a need for remediation, and whether the technician needs to conduct further testing.
While the inspection might include some testing to determine whether there is mold present, what kind of mold it is, and how much there is, further testing is often required during a second visit. If the inspection finds harmful mold or enough mold to require remediation, then more thorough testing will be conducted, which can cost between $200 to $700.
Finally, if it is determined that your home requires remediation, a team of technicians will come and remove, clean, sanitize, and encapsulate the affected areas (more on this later).
A basic home inspection can take up to two hours, while a detailed inspection can take up to six hours. Mold remediation can take anywhere from one to five days.
Types of mold tests
Check out the table below for an introduction to the types of mold testing, and a breakdown of cost estimates.
| | |
|---|
| Takes surface samples from an area of mold growth to be analyzed in a lab. | |
| Uses a device that intakes air from an affected area to test for airborne spores. | |
| Uses a special kind of tape to check for mold and spores on HVAC filters and ducts. | $50 plus air cell testing |
What is mold remediation?
If you have hazardous mold or extensive amounts of mold, then you will need to go through the process of remediation to remove the mold, spores, and contaminated objects in your home.
You will likely have to vacate your home for a few days for the remediation process. Preferably before remediation begins, you should take care of whatever issue is causing moisture or water accumulation in the first place. This may mean addressing leaks or fixing plumbing fixtures.
Here is what to expect during the remediation process:
Technicians will seal off the affected area with plastic sheeting
Porous items that have been damaged by mold will be removed and bagged. This commonly includes things like sections of drywall, fabric furniture, carpeting, and clothing
Non-porous items are cleaned and disinfected
Airborne spores are controlled by misting affected areas
Affected areas are sprayed and scrubbed with a biocide
Areas are sprayed with a special paint to encapsulate any remaining spores to stop them from spreading
There is a waiting period for the spray to dry
Rebuild and replace any removed items
It is difficult to give an estimate for the cost of mold remediation since the price varies considerably from case to case. Remediation typically costs anywhere from $500 to $5000 and can go as high as $10,000 for large, complicated, or heavily damaged homes.
MORE: How to spot and remove mold on drywall
When should you get a mold inspection?
Of course, if you see extensive mold coverage anywhere in your home, you should get your home inspected to deal with the mold before the situation worsens. If you don’t see any mold, you might want to get an inspection done. Mold likes dark, cool spaces and often lives out of sight.
You should consider getting a mold inspection if you notice any of these signs:
Visible mold in your home
Water damage, leaks, or water stains
Areas with high moisture accumulation
Following any flooding in an area of your home
Residents of the home showing persistent allergy symptoms
A musty or unpleasant odor
Do you need a mold inspection to sell your house?
Mold inspections are not a part of a typical home inspection, though a home inspection may flag mold or moisture as a problem. If your home inspector flags mold as a concern you should definitely do a mold inspection. Even if it is not flagged, sellers should consider doing a mold inspection to add a potential selling point to your listing.
If you are about to buy a home, you should request a mold inspection before you transfer deeds. As we’ve mentioned, dealing with mold in your home can cost thousands of dollars, and is something you might want to avoid, if possible.
Tips for finding a company to inspect your home
Your best bet for finding a company to inspect your home is to research local businesses offering mold inspections. Mold inspectors are commonly called “mold assessors” or “industrial hygienists”. Only eight states require mold assessors to hold certifications, so you need to do your research to ensure the company you choose is properly certified.
The states that regulate mold assessors are Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, and Texas.
Here are a few tips to help you choose a company for your mold inspection:
Do your research–Look for their certifications and check the extent of the services they offer
Check for BBB accreditation–the Better Business Bureau helps to give a sense of how legitimate a company is and takes customer complaints and reviews into account for their grade
Read reviews–Reviews can help paint a picture of how the company conducts business and communicates with their customers
Compare multiple quotes–Obtain quotes from at least three companies, if possible, to see how their prices and services compare
Be wary of any company offering free mold inspections. While it can seem enticing, companies offering free inspections may be more likely to recommend additional services that you don’t need, running up the bill unnecessarily.
Does home insurance cover mold removal?
The unfortunate answer is that it depends.
In most cases, home insurance will only cover mold if it is caused by a named peril
, and included in your policy. Say, for example, you notice water build-up caused by a leaky pipe under your sink. Home insurance would not cover the removal of mold caused by the leak. However, if for example, there was a fire and the mold was caused by the water used to put out the flames, then your insurance might cover the mold removal.
Insurance usually only covers damages that are sudden and accidental, not damage from things that could have been prevented through maintenance.
There are some situations where you can add coverage or buy separate insurance to cover some causes of mold. Flooding is one example. Flooding is not covered under typical home insurance, but you can purchase flood insurance which would likely cover mold removal caused by flooding.
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