Numerous properties have areas susceptible to mold growth, but typically, mitigating these problems can be simple. However, for challenging areas like attics, it’s advisable to consult a professional skilled in navigating and managing these hard-to-reach places to efficiently deal with mold issues.
The average cost for mold remediation in attics can range between $1,000 to $4,833. This estimated cost can still vary depending on the size, difficulty of access, and other factors involved in removing mold in properties.
The cost can vary for many reasons. For one, attics are usually accessible; however, they can also be poorly ventilated, dark, and prone to dampness and leaks. This can affect the overall cost, sometimes even going beyond the average range.
The following are the estimated cost and ranges when it comes to attic mold removal:
| Description | Average cost range |
|---|---|
| Attic mold removal average cost range | $1,000 - $4,833 |
| Attic mold treatment average cost range | $1,500 - $3,500 |
| Large-scale attic mold removal cost range | $6,000 - $10,000 |
Other considerations and costs
Usually, some mold problems require large-scale treatments and extensive methods that require hiring more contractors and procurement of other materials. This extra step may incur additional expenses.
| Description | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Carpenter Labor Cost (replacement of materials, etc.) | $75 per hour |
| Plumber Labor Cost (water leaks, etc.) | $85 per hour |
| Attic Insulation Replacement | $45 or $1.50 per square foot |
| Roof Leak Repair | Minimum average cost of $225 |
Usually, attics are one of the most neglected yet most important spaces in your home or property. If your home’s attic is not periodically checked, the chances are that there may be a high risk of mold growth.
Because of their tendency to accumulate and cultivate culture, attics are the perfect place for mold growth. With this, the cost to remove mold growth in attics can be expensive and can range differently, depending on a few factors.
Average mold remediation cost
The national average cost for mold remediation in an area would be $2,325. Since the type and quality of service may vary, homeowners and landlords can choose between a low-end or a more extensive high-end type of mold remediation.
Below are the average costs for mold remediation:
| Description | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| National Average Cost | $2,345 |
| Low-End Mold Remediation | $458 |
| High-End Mold Remediation | $6,333 |
| Average Cost Range for Mold Remediation | $1,373 and $3,325 |
Mold remediation cost per square foot
| Description (by area) | Average cost range (labor included) |
|---|---|
| 50 square feet | $500 - $1,250 |
| 100 square feet | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| 150 square feet | $1,500 - $3,750 |
| 200 square feet | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| 300 square feet | $3,000 - $7,500 |
Most of the time, mold companies will charge by square feet for small mold infestations. If the mold infestation has reached a massive level in cases such as floods, they may charge for an entire package of mold remediation.
Attic mold removal cost factors
In every property, attics are among the most prone areas to develop mold. Since attics are directly close to the roof, condensation can contribute to the moisture that cultivates mold growth.
When the mold starts growing in attics, the infestation can spread to water pathways and other spaces. This can result in hidden mold behind surfaces or inside HVAC ducts within days, weeks, or months.
Below are some of the factors that can affect the cost of attic mold removal:
Size of Mold Growth
Usually, the hired professional will measure the number of square feet that are infested by mold. With this, they will determine the cleaning and required remediation.
If you caught a leak early, the water damage may be stuck in the attic area, making the risk of mold manageable and limited. This can make the cleanup easier.
Normally, easy-to-clean mold issues cost less compared to large mold infestations.
Accessibility
It is easier for the hired contractor to reach and tend to visible mold instead of the ones that spread behind walls and other surfaces. For this, infestations that are accessible to tend may cost less.
In addition to the labor costs, additional expenses may be incurred if the site has materials that need to be taken down and replaced in order to remove the mold.
If the building or property has insulation or related materials that have become damp, it will have to be replaced to thoroughly make sure that mold will not develop nor spread.
Clean-up
Depending on the size and extent of a mold infestation, mold cleaning can take hours or even weeks. This duration is accounted for in the cost of mold removal.
Usually, the hired contractor does not only remove the visible mold but goes further into eliminating the root.
Mold remediation additional costs and considerations
For mold remediation projects, it might not be the process of removing the mold. Some professionals may need to remove significant parts or materials from the property as part of the large-scale mold removal or remediation.
If the restoration process becomes necessary, the restoration may cost more than the mold remediation itself.
Damage Repair
Usually, mold remediation can be simplistic that requires only removal and a few treatments. However, large-scale mold removal can mean demolition and installation of new drywall, tile, and other materials.
For instance, the mold remediator might identify that the cause of the mold infestation is because of leaking pipes. With this, you might need to hire a plumber and do repairs. This may cost you between $2,000 to $20,000.
Restoration
After the professionals have fixed the water leaks and lowered the humidity levels, they may also replace building materials on the affected surfaces. The hired expert may apply treatments such as antifungal treatments.
Building or property owners should be aware that mold is usually excluded from insurance policies. This process may incur additional costs.
How long does mold remediation take?
If you have found mold growth in your home, you should immediately seek an inspection. From there, you will need to clear your home for the mold inspection which could lead to mold remediation.
The actual length of the entire mold remediation process can depend on a number of factors.
Below are some of the factors considered:
The type of mold to deal with.
In most cases, black mold takes the longest to remove and treat.
The area in which the mold is present.
For instance, mold in crawl spaces, attics, and hard-to-reach areas may take more time to tend to.
If the mold growth resides behind walls or in pipelines, it may take longer since the professionals would have to remove these items to make sure that the root is removed.
The extent of damage of the mold growth.
This includes the area in which the mold has infested and the severity of its growth.
In severe cases, damages to drywall, pipes, and other surfaces may suggest a longer period of mold remediation.
Most of the time, mold professionals can take between 1 to 5 days to conduct and conclude an entire mold remediation process.
What to expect during mold remediation?
The process of mold remediation involves several steps, and most of them follow a set of protocols and guidelines to ensure security and effectiveness. While unexpected issues may arise, the hired contractor shall disclose them to the client.
Below are the basic steps involved in the remediation process:
Assessment
- Firstly, a mold inspector will conduct an assessment on the site. This way, they can determine the starting levels of moisture and look for the source, or the area with the highest level of moisture.
- Sometimes the mold company may bring a specialist or an engineer to inspect and discover the source of the mold infestation.
- In this step, the specialists will also gather samples to know the species of the mold. Some mold species may be toxic and may require additional safety precautions throughout the remediation process.
Planning
- After the results of the assessments and tests, the next step would be to outline and plan the remediation for the removal and treatment of the mold problem.
- The hired mold professionals will devise a step-by-step plan, along with the estimated costs and timetables.
Preparation
- Next, the hired mold contractors will prepare the infested area before the work starts. Initially, they will secure the area with barriers such as plastic.
- Then, they may install a negative air machine or air scrubber to remove excess moisture and pollutants from the area.
- They may also install protective structures such as ram boards and paddings to stop mold from spreading throughout the property. This ensures that the flooring and entrances won’t be damaged.
- Homeowners or landlords are highly encouraged to turn off any HVAC or ventilation systems in the affected areas. Recycled airflow can spread mold, and not doing so may counter the removal as useless.
Demolition
- Only when it is deemed vital in removing the mold growth or damages done by the mold, any structures may be safely demolished and removed.
- This step may involve breaking down any flooring, drywall, or even carpets. Materials that are porous such as cardboard, carpets, and other fabrics will need to be thrown away.
- Non-porous materials such as tiles, wood, glass, and others can stay; however, chemicals will be used to remove the mold.
- Other contents in the affected area that are heavily infested by the mold will need to be disposed of.
- The hired contractors will make a safe disposal area to secure mold-infested items.
Remediation
- After the area is cleared and made secure, the remediation team will start their work.
- First, they will deep clean the affected area with professional-grade cleaning solutions. Usually, an antimicrobial solutional will be applied to surfaces such as floors and walls.
- Highly affected areas of mold will be treated with additional chemicals. In some cases, other techniques such as fogging, ozone, blasting, or UV light may be done.
- This step may take days to complete. During this step, people that are not part of the mold remediation team are not permitted to be in the area due to the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals.
- A mold-inhibiting paint or an encapsulant may be applied once the affected area is treated and cleaned. Usually, the contractors will advise their clients of this ahead.
- The final step in this part is to dry the area by using air scrubbers, fans, or dehumidifiers. Usually, the professionals would recommend leaving these for 3 days to make sure that the area has completely dried.
Clearance
- Once the area is thoroughly cleaned and treated, and the entire space has dried, professionals will start the clearance step. This step makes sure that the moisture levels have decreased to a safe level.
- Typically, an environmental testing company will perform a mold assessment, or a final moisture and odor assessment.
- For a post-remediation report, odor detection, sampling, and visual inspection might be in place. With this, the professionals may be able to confirm that the affected and treated area is at a normal fungal ecology or has reached a “Condition 1”.
- Once this step is done, all containment items and structures may be removed and safely disposed of.
Restoration
- In the earlier steps and as mentioned, some professionals may remove or demolish some structures in your home or remove some materials as a necessary part of the remediation process.
- In the final step, these destroyed or removed items shall be installed or renovated back into the home.
- Homeowners should be aware that this part of the process may not be shouldered by the mold remediation team or company.
