Repair cost · Mold, Asbestos & Lead
Mold Removal Cost
In short: Mold remediation costs $2,368 on average, and most homeowners pay $1,223 to $3,757, according to Angi. Professional removal runs $10 to $30 per square foot. HomeGuide puts average jobs at $1,500 to $6,000, black mold at $2,000 to $10,000, and whole-house remediation at $15,000 to $30,000. A mold inspection costs $250 to $650.
Angi puts the national average mold remediation at $2,368, with most homeowners paying $1,223 to $3,757. HomeGuide's average range is $1,500 to $6,000. Per square foot, Angi lists $10 to $25 and HomeGuide $15 to $30.
Cost by location
| Location | Angi | HomeGuide |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | $500 – $1,000 | $500 – $2,000 |
| Crawl space | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Basement | $500 – $3,000 | $1,500 – $6,000 partial; $6,000 – $15,000 full |
| Attic | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,500 – $6,000 partial; $6,000 – $15,000 full |
| HVAC system / ducts | $3,000 – $10,000 | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Walls | $1,000 – $20,000 | – |
| Whole house | $10,000 – $30,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
Black mold
HomeGuide lists black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) removal at $2,000 to $10,000. Angi says pros charge more for black mold because of extra protective equipment.
Inspection and testing
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection and testing | $250 – $350 | Angi |
| Mold testing (later section) | $450 – $800 | Angi |
| Inspection, average home | $300 – $650 | HomeGuide |
| Inspection, large home | up to $1,000 | HomeGuide |
Rebuild after removal
HomeGuide lists drywall replacement at $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot and painting at $1 to $3 per square foot.
Related guides
See water damage restoration cost, crawl space encapsulation cost and basement waterproofing cost.
Cost by affected area
Angi lists removal at $10 to $25 per sq ft, so a 100 sq ft patch runs about $1,000 to $2,500.
HVAC mold (Angi)
| Part | Cost |
|---|---|
| Air ducts | $600 – $2,000 |
| Radiant heat system | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Furnace or air handler | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Air conditioner | $6,000 – $10,000 |
Routine duct cleaning afterward costs $275 to $500.
Hidden mold
Angi says an attic job can reach $7,000 for a large or long-undetected leak, and a bathroom $8,000 or more if mold is behind the sink, tub or walls. Wall mold ranges from $700 to $5,000 for wood walls to $1,000 to $10,000+ for concrete.
Fixing the cause (Angi)
| Repair | Cost |
|---|---|
| Roof leak repair | $350 – $1,250 |
| Foundation sealing | $2,250 – $7,100 |
| Crawl space encapsulation | $1,500 – $15,000 |
| Drywall replacement | $1,000 – $2,900 |
| Carpet replacement | $775 – $2,600 |
Why mold grows
Mold needs moisture. Common sources are roof leaks, plumbing leaks, flooding, high humidity and poor ventilation. Removing mold without fixing the moisture source means it will come back.
Signs of mold
- A musty smell.
- Visible spots on walls, ceilings or wood.
- Water stains or warped materials.
- Mold returning after cleaning.
How mold remediation works
- Find and fix the moisture source.
- Contain the area to keep spores from spreading.
- Remove damaged materials, such as drywall or insulation.
- Clean surfaces and use air filtration.
- Dry the area and replace materials.
Small vs. large jobs
Small areas of surface mold can sometimes be cleaned by a homeowner. Larger areas, hidden mold or mold after flooding usually call for professionals.
What affects the price
- Size and location of the affected area.
- Materials to remove and replace.
- Access, such as attics or crawl spaces.
- Testing before and after.
Questions to ask
- Are you licensed for mold remediation in Texas?
- Who will do the testing, and is it independent?
- What is the plan for fixing the moisture source?
In Texas
Texas requires licenses for mold assessment and mold remediation for many jobs, and the assessor and remediator generally cannot be the same company on the same project. Check licenses with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Small jobs vs. professional remediation
The EPA suggests that homeowners can often clean up mold covering a small area, generally less than about 10 square feet, if the mold is not caused by sewage or contaminated water and the person has no health issues that make exposure risky. For larger areas, mold in HVAC systems, mold after flooding with contaminated water, or mold hidden in walls, professional remediation is recommended.
How professional remediation works
- Inspection to find the extent of the mold and the moisture source.
- Fixing the moisture source. Mold will return unless the leak, humidity or condensation problem is fixed.
- Containment. The affected area is sealed with plastic sheeting, and air is filtered with negative air machines and HEPA filters to prevent spores from spreading.
- Removal. Moldy porous materials like drywall, insulation and carpet are removed and bagged. Hard surfaces are cleaned and scrubbed.
- HEPA vacuuming and cleaning of the area.
- Drying with dehumidifiers and fans.
- Verification, sometimes with post-remediation testing, before rebuilding.
- Rebuilding drywall, flooring and finishes.
Testing for mold
Testing is not always needed. If you can see or smell mold, the EPA notes that it should be removed, and sampling may not be necessary. Testing can be useful when mold is suspected but hidden, after remediation to confirm success, or in legal and insurance situations. If you hire a tester, choose one who is independent from the remediation company.
Why bleach is not enough
Bleach may whiten mold on hard, non-porous surfaces, but it does not penetrate porous materials like drywall and wood, and it does not fix the underlying moisture problem. Many professionals use detergents, specialized cleaners and physical removal instead.
Preventing mold
Keep indoor humidity in a moderate range, use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, fix leaks quickly, dry wet materials within a day or two and make sure gutters and grading keep water away from the house.
Insurance may cover mold caused by a sudden, covered event like a burst pipe, but often excludes mold from long-term leaks or humidity.
More on hidden mold
Musty odors, stains that return after cleaning and recent leaks can point to hidden mold behind walls, under floors or in the attic. An inspector may use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find it before opening walls.
Health concerns
Mold can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms in some people. Anyone with respiratory problems or a weakened immune system should stay out of the area during cleanup and talk to a doctor about symptoms.
Mold after a flood
After flooding, porous materials that stayed wet for more than a day or two, such as drywall, insulation and carpet, usually need to be removed. Drying the structure quickly is the most important step in preventing mold growth.
Sources
Water damage restoration companies in Texas
Our Texas business directory lists 550 water damage restoration companies across 6 major cities. The ratings below are the average Google rating of the listed businesses in each city, and the review counts are the total number of Google reviews they have received.
| City | Businesses listed | Avg. Google rating | Total reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 229 | 4.8 | 13,290 |
| Dallas | 85 | 4.8 | 2,796 |
| San Antonio | 77 | 4.8 | 8,457 |
| Austin | 84 | 4.5 | 8,286 |
| Fort Worth | 51 | 4.6 | 2,452 |
| El Paso | 24 | 4.5 | 2,391 |
Source: twupro Texas business directory, built from public Google Maps listings.
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