Mold Remediation Company, How Much Does It Cause?

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Mold Remediation Company These Days?

One of the things that would probably come to mind when you find out that your living in a mold-infested house is, how much does it cost to hire a mold remediation company? You really have to act fast and make sure to deal with the situation before it gets out of hand. Molds can cause numerous health problems and even destroy your home faster than you know. And if you don’t get it treated right away, the price you’ll have to pay will get bigger over time.

Today, hiring an average, professional mold remediation service can cost around $500 to $6,000 – depending on the level of infestation. It can even go higher if the problem is already severe. And just think about how much more you’ll have to spend on repairs? There’s no doubt that you’d be depleting your bank account with all the needed expenses. Considering how pricey dealing with a mold problem is, it’ll probably be wise to gather more information before you begin. So, what should be your first step? Read on and find out.

Mold Remediation Company, How Much Does It Cost to Hire for a Drywall, Trim, or Unfinished Surfaces?

If your mold problem is one of the things mentioned above, it is best that you hire an inspector first. Why, you may ask? This person specializes in discovering the root and extent of the problem. He or she will be able to give you helpful advice and may even direct you to a reliable remediation company. Reputable companies always work with third-party inspectors. It is less likely of them to do the inspection themselves; they usually just take care of the dirty work.

Hiring an inspector is also highly advised, especially if the infested area is more than 10 square feet. But keep in mind that the mold industry is growing and unfortunately, unregulated. You must be keen in choosing an inspector to do the job. You may do a background check to make sure that you’re indeed hiring a professional. Here’s a list to help you:

•         He or she must have at least an undergraduate degree in science or engineering.
•         He or she must have finished an industry-approved coursework in mold investigation.
•         He or she must bear respected industry credentials like CIEC or Council-Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant.
•         He or she should work independently from a mold remediation company and must not sell any products related to the industry.
•         He or she must be able to provide a customized report that is complete with laboratory results on the air and surface samples that was taken from the scene.
•         Most importantly, a trustworthy inspector should never suggest a DIY solution to the problem. Also, all mold problems need to be eradicated – there is no such thing as a mold that is tenacious than another specie.

Hiring the services of a professional mold inspector shouldn’t cost you more than $200 or $600. The time of inspection usually takes around 2 to 5 hours, depending on the severity of the infestation. Also, he or she will take samples to be tested and may open up some walls to find mold.

 Mold Remediation Company, How much does it cost to hire for a Swab and Air Cell Testing?

As mentioned above, a mold inspector will take samples from the infested area for laboratory testing. Keep in mind that mold spores can be everywhere, there is no need to be alarmed if the testing will result to positive. What you would like to avoid is abnormally high levels of mold that are extremely dangerous to your health and well-being. High levels of infestation may also damage your house or office. In worst cases, it can result to people having to move out and transfer because the situation is beyond treatment or repair.

The cost of swab and air cell testing, that is included in an inspector’s duties, usually vary in the size of your home or office. Other factors that affect the price are the number of surface areas to be tested and the severity of the infestation. Swab testing costs around $200 to $300 and is usually conducted in with air cell testing. The inspector will collect a sample from the surface of an infested area and bring it to the laboratory for testing. Mold specialists say that this process of testing is not enough to determine the problem as it only gathers very little result.

That is why air cell testing is also performed with this process. For this one, the inspector collects a sample to measure the presence of mold spores in the air. The equipment used for this is more expensive, thus the cost is also higher than that of the swab testing. But most laboratories offer a bundle price for the two that may range from $400 to $600.  

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Mold Remediation Company – The Charge Per Square Footage

The services of a mold inspector is usually called for when the area of infestation is more than 10 square feet. But keep in mind that mold can spread very quickly as it thrives on dampness and moisture. Your entire basement or bathroom can be infested in a short period of time if not treated right away. So, there is no definite answer to the question on how much does it cost to hire a mold remediation company. It will always depend on the size of the affected area – the larger the area, the more costly it will be.

The most common areas of the house that get infested by mold are basements and bathrooms because they are prone to having water leaks. Depending on the company, the charge per square foot is usually $2. However, if the problem calls for remediation with demolition, then that’s an entirely different story. Factors such as the accessibility of the place and the kind of treatment needed can affect the cost. Higher-priced projects are those that require more treatment, which means that more surface areas are infested by mold. Mold remediation companies also tend to charge more if the mold is difficult to access.

To give you an idea, here are some rough estimates of how much a typical mold removal would cost including the processes of testing. For a 27 square feet area inside an HVAC system, the cost may reach up to $9,500 because more chemicals are needed for the treatment. But for treating a smaller area, say, 15 square feet in a more accessible environment and with less mold infestation, the cost may only be around $3,500. There is really a big difference in the price depending on the factors involved in the situation. Furthermore, mold treatment on the surface of the wall cost less than the one required for accessing mold inside the walls. If your problem is the latter, more labor and time is needed. The remediation company might need to demolish the walls, observe electrical precautions and more during the procedure. If that’s the case, it’s best that you check with a couple of mold remediation companies before deciding on one.

Always remember that you cannot and should not rush on mold treatment. It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t deal with the problem. Rather, you should take the time to find the right remediation company to help you deal with the problem. Because other than paying more than what you should, picking the wrong company may also do more harm than good.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Mold Remediation Company – Insurance Coverage

Is mold treatment covered by your homeowner’s insurance coverage? The safest answer to this question is to check with your insurance provider. Never assume that it is because you might be left tongue-tied will all the expenses that you have to settle. In general, insurance companies pay for the cost if the problem resulted from an emergency situation such as a broken pipe. However, they do not take any responsibility if rebuilding is required.

The mold removal process usually starts with removing water-damaged and mold-infested materials. The walls, carpet and everything else need to be disinfected and cleaned thoroughly. If the mold damage is extensive, drywall and studs might need to be removed and vacuuming with the use of high-efficiency particulate air filtration will be conducted.

During the process, you might need to stay in a different place, especially if you’re sensitive to mold. The bottom line is if you have a mold problem going on, you better deal with it as soon as possible. Your insurance company can deny your claim for mold treatment on the grounds of negligence. So if you’re experiencing any leaks, pipe bursts or anything that may foster dampness and moisture in any area of your home or office, act on it! Don’t let it get out of hand because you might just regret the cost.