Mold removal costs depend on how much mold there is, where it is growing and what caused it. A small patch on a bathroom wall is a very different job from mold spread through an attic or behind walls after a flood.
Sifixit does not publish price numbers unless we can name a trustworthy source for them. This page explains how pricing works so you can understand and compare the quotes you receive.
How pricing usually works
A mold removal bill is usually made up of these parts.
Inspection and testing
Finding the extent of the mold and the moisture source. Testing, when needed, is often priced separately.
Containment
Sealing off the area and running air scrubbers so spores do not spread.
Removal and cleaning
Cutting out moldy porous materials, cleaning hard surfaces and HEPA vacuuming.
Repairs and moisture fixes
Replacing removed materials and fixing the leak or humidity that caused the mold.
What makes the price go up or down
- How large the moldy area is
- Whether the mold is on the surface or hidden
- Where it is, such as an attic, crawl space or ducts
- How much material must be removed
- Whether testing is needed before or after
- What it takes to fix the moisture source
- State licensing rules where you live
Insurance and your costs
Mold that follows a sudden covered event, such as a burst pipe, may be covered. Mold from long term damp or poor maintenance often is not, and some policies limit mold coverage.
- Check your policy for mold limits or exclusions
- Take photos of the mold and any water damage
- Tell your insurer about the original water event
- Keep reports from any inspection or testing
- Keep every receipt
How to compare quotes
- Check that each quote describes containment
- Ask what will be removed and what will be cleaned
- Ask whether the moisture source is included
- Ask whether clearance testing is included
- Check the provider’s license if your state requires one
Warning signs in a quote
- A price given without an inspection
- A plan to spray and paint over mold on drywall
- No containment for a large job
- The same company both testing and removing where your state forbids it
- Scare tactics about black mold
Frequently asked questions
Is mold testing included in the price?
Often not. Testing is usually priced separately, and it is not always needed if the mold is visible.
Why does fixing the moisture matter for the cost?
Because mold returns if the moisture stays. Paying to remove it without fixing the cause often means paying again later.
Can I remove small areas myself?
The Environmental Protection Agency advises that most homeowners can clean areas smaller than about 10 square feet themselves.
Does insurance cover mold removal?
Sometimes, when the mold follows a sudden covered event. Many policies limit or exclude mold, so check yours.
Learn more
Our main mold removal guide explains the warning signs, what to do first and when to call a professional.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.