How Much Does Mold Removal Cost?

You're happily cleaning your bathroom when you notice that suspicious-looking black patch on the wall or ceiling. Most of us have experienced this type of "uh-oh" moment, and mold is probably the first thing that springs to mind.

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While it can be tempting to delay mold removal if the infestation is small or not particularly visible, a small patch can quickly escalate when left unchecked. Let's find out how much mold removal costs and what factors affect the price of mold remediation.

How Do You Get Rid of Mold in Your House?

When you hire professional mold remediators, the first step is usually to inspect your home to determine the extent of the problem and identify the cause. They may use specialized equipment like infrared cameras and moisture meters to find hidden mold and figure out where the moisture source is coming from.

Next, they will contain the mold to prevent it from spreading to unaffected areas. Often, this process involves sealing moldy surfaces with plastic sheeting and using air filters to remove airborne mold spores from your living space.

Your remediators will remove and dispose of any contaminated porous or semi-porous materials in the affected room. That's because removing deeply embedded spores from these materials is often impossible. Any pores left behind could cause the problem to recur. The types of materials mold remediators typically remove include:

• Drywall

• Carpets

• Insulation

• Ceiling tiles

Remediators then use antimicrobial agents and anti-fungal treatments to clean the hard surfaces in your home. These treatments kill any remaining spores, preventing reinfestation.

Finally, the company will restore your home to its previous state. For example, they may replace flooring or drywall removed during the treatment process.

How Much Does Mold Removal Cost?

According to Home Guide, professional mold removal costs around $15 to $30 (CAD 21 to CAD 41) per square foot. Most homeowners pay between $1,500 and $6,000 (CAD 2,072 and CAD 8,286) in total. However, mold remediation can cost as much as $15,000 (CAD 20,716) for severe infestations affecting large areas.

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What Factors Impact the Cost of Mold Remediation?

The infestation's scale, the location and the type of materials affected can all affect the cost of mold removal. Let's take a look at how mold remediators calculate the price.

Mold Inspection

You'll need a mold inspection if you're unsure whether you have an infestation or need to locate mold in hidden areas. You should expect to pay between $300 and $650 (CAD 414 and CAD 898) for a mold inspection for a typical family home or up to $1,000 (CAD 1,381) for a particularly large property.

Infestation Scale

The larger the affected area, the more you'll pay for mold remediation. Mold removal for a small area measuring up to 100 square feet costs around $500 to $1,500 (CAD 691 to CAD 2,072). Treating a large section of wall or several small areas up to 300 square feet usually costs between $1,500 and $6,000 (CAD 2,072 and CAD 8,286).

Mold remediation for an entire room is significantly more expensive at $6,000 to $15,000 (CAD 8,286 to CAD 20,715). Expect to pay between $15,000 and $30,000 (CAD 20,715 and CAD 41,432) if the infestation affects multiple rooms or your entire house.

Mold Location

Some growth locations are easier and cheaper to treat than others. Mold in a bathroom is often the easiest to treat because affected surfaces are usually accessible. You could pay around $500 (CAD 691) to remove a small area of mold in a bathroom, rising to $2,000 (CAD 2,762) for a more widespread infestation.

Meanwhile, hard-to-reach areas like crawlspaces and ductwork are more expensive. That's because it will take your mold remediator longer to isolate and clean the infestation, and they may require specialized equipment. Mold removal in a crawlspace costs $1,500 to $4,000 (CAD 2,072 to CAD 5,524). Mold remediation for an HVAC or ductwork system starts at around $2,000 (CAD 2,762) and can range as high as $10,000 (CAD 13,811) for large or complex jobs.

Mold remediation for an attic or basement ranges from $1,500 (CAD 2,072) for a partial infestation to $15,000 (CAD 20,715) for the entire room.

Home Upgrades

Your mold remediator may recommend upgrades to reduce moisture in problem areas and prevent mold from regrowing. For example, they may suggest installing a sump pump to stop your basement from flooding during wet weather. Sump pump installation costs $600 to $2,500 (CAD 829 to CAD 3,453) for the unit, materials and labor.

Other moisture-reducing home upgrades include:

• Whole-house dehumidifier installation: $1,500 to $3,500 (CAD 2,072 to CAD 4,834)

• Basement dehumidifier installation: $1,000 to $3,000 (CAD 1,381 to CAD 4,143)

• Basement waterproofing: $12,447 to $14,833 (CAD 17,190 to CAD 20,485)

• Crawl space encapsulation: $1,500 to $15,000 (CAD 2,072 to CAD 20,716)

While not strictly a home upgrade, regular HVAC duct cleaning can prevent mold growth inside your ductwork and stop spores from spreading around your home. Prices for air duct cleaning range from $0.15 to $0.40 (CAD 0.21 to CAD 0.55) per square foot. Per visit, you should expect to spend between $450 and $1,000 (CAD 621 and CAD 1,381) in total.

Repairs

Following treatment, you'll need to replace infested materials removed during the treatment process. Some mold remediation companies perform repairs as part of their services and include them in your bill. Others may only treat the mold, which means you'll need to hire another contractor to restore your home.

Here are some common repairs you might need after mold removal:

• Flooring replacement: $3 to $39 (CAD 4 to CAD 54) per square foot

• Drywall replacement: $12 to $20 (CAD 17 to CAD 28) per panel

• Repainting: (DIY): $235 to $610 (CAD 325 to CAD 842) per room

• Repainting (professional): $480 to $5,280 (CAD 663 to CAD 7,292)

If faults like cracked pipes or leaking fixtures are to blame for your mold problem, you'll need to carry out repairs to prevent recurrence. Plumbing repairs usually cost $170 to $500 (CAD 235 to CAD 691), while fixing a leaking roof costs between $360 and $1,550 (CAD 497 and CAD 2,141).

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Black Mold?

Black mold (Stachybotrys chartaram) is usually the most expensive type of mold to remove, costing $2,000 to $10,000 (CAD 2,762 to CAD 13,811) on average. Remediators charge more for this type of mold because it is more challenging to remove. Prompt treatment is essential because it can cause serious health issues when left unaddressed.

How Much Does Mildew Removal Cost?

Like mold, mildew is a type of fungus that thrives in damp conditions and can grow on surfaces in your home. However, mildew doesn't usually penetrate surfaces like mold and has a powdery, white or gray appearance.

While mildew can cause health issues like sore throats, it isn't considered as harmful to human health as mold. As it only affects surfaces, you can usually remove it yourself with common household cleaning products. Professional mildew removal isn't usually necessary unless it's particularly widespread or severe. If you do decide to hire a pro, expect to pay around $75 to $150 (CAD 103 to CAD 206) per hour for mildew removal.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.