Mold.  The dirty word we don’t’ like to talk about. Not knowing how to deal with it can lead to more problems, repairs…and cost. Act immediately if you find mold growing in your home. Professional mold remediation costs can range from $500 to $6,000 but can be much higher if it is severe.

Here is some information to help you understand where to start.

Hire a Mold Inspector First – Hire a mold inspector to discover the root and extent of the problem if you find mold growing on surfaces, especially if the area is more than 10 square feet. The inspector can direct you to reliable mold remediation companies. Check credentials when hiring an inspector. The mold industry is quite unregulated, but there are guidelines to help you know when you are hiring a professional.

Qualified inspectors should:

  • Have an undergraduate (minimum) degree in science or engineering and completed industry-approved coursework in mold investigation.
  • Bear respected industry credentials (e.g., Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC)).
  • Work independently of mold remediation companies and should not sell mold-related products.
  • Provide a report that includes lab results of air or surface samples.
  • Tell you whether a mold problem has a DIY solution, or whether you must hire a professional mold remediation expert.

The inspector alone could run between $200 to $600 for a site visit. I could take two to five hours for the inspection. They will take air samples and may have to open walls to find hidden mold.

Hire a Professional Mold Remediation company – Mold remediation companies can clean up your mold in just a couple days to a few weeks depending on the severity of your problem.

The cleanup company will:

  • Remove water-damaged, mold infested materials.
  • Clean and disinfect walls, carpet, and any other surfaces affected.
  • Remove drywall and studs if they find extensive mold damage.
  • Vacuum with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration.

You may have to relocate temporarily if the mold damage is severe and you are mold sensitive.

Mold removal costs can vary depending on mold amount and location. Rough estimates are:

  • $500 to $4,000 to remove mold from crawlspaces only.
  • $2,000 to $6,000 to remove mold from ducts, crawl spaces, walls, and attics.
  • $10,000 to $30,000 (or more) to repair widespread structural damage.

Check with your Insurance Company – Your insurance company may or may not pay to fix your mold problem. They usually pay if it results from an emergency already covered on your policy (e.g., burst pipes.) They may not pay if the mold resulted from delayed reparation, persistent moisture or seepage, or floodwater unless you have flood insurance.

ServiceMaster Restore has offices in Missoula, Kalispell, and Billings.  Our team of experts has over 60 years of mold remediation experience.  We use the latest techniques and work with most insurance companies to help you get on the road to remediation as soon as possible.  Find out more by calling our team today.