Live Life Team
Mold is a fungus that grows in damp, dark areas, and spots like attics, crawl spaces, or bathrooms are some of mold’s favourite places to grow in your home. However, its presence can impact the value of your property, and if you’re trying to sell this is going to prove to be a problem.
There are also negative health effects that result from exposure to mold. Exposure can lead to many allergy-like symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, eye irritation, congestion, or rashes, and can even make it difficult to breathe. Those with certain predispositions may have even stronger negative reactions to mold and must avoid it diligently.
Removing mold doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you’ve identified a potential infestation before it grew too large. A standard for determining whether or not to call in the professionals is around 10 square feet – if the problem is within this, you may be capable of taking care of the issue on your own. However, if the problem has extended beyond 10 square feet, it is highly advisable to call in professionals to first inspect and then possibly also remove the mold.
A site visit from a qualified inspector could run anywhere from $200 – $600. The cost can vary depending on how many air samples the inspector collects as well as any other types of testing that is conducted.
At this point, the inspector may be able to give you some pointers for taking care of the issue yourself if it seems manageable. However, if you’re at the point where a mold inspector is being brought in, it is likely that professional clean-up may be warranted.
Professional mold removal costs vary depending on the location of the issue and the materials that are infested as well as the expanse of the infestation. If the issue is largely surface-level and easily accessed, you may not need to pay more than a few hundred dollars. However, the cost goes up with every additional activity required of the professional, including deconstruction of building materials, crawling through tight spaces, or doing repairs on areas that have been damaged and allowed the mold to thrive.
At the lower end, mold removal may cost under $1000. At the higher end, you could be looking at upwards of $5000, and possibly into the tens of thousands if significant building repair is required. With added complexity comes added cost in addition to added time. A few days may be all that is required for a small project in an easily-accessed part of your home, but a larger undertaking may require you to vacate your residence for a few weeks.
Overall, professional mold removal can be expensive, but if you value the assurance that your home is completely free of mold, the financial cost may be outweighed by peace of mind.
