Removing mold from your basement can be a time-consuming and – depending on your circumstances – expensive exercise. Basements are particularly prone to mold growth and it is the severity of these mold growths, as well as the seriousness of their underlying cause, that will cause the cost of basement mold removal to climb.
On average, the cost of basement mold removal falls between $500 and $3,000. You can expect this price to climb even further if mold is also growing in hard-to-reach places in your basement, such as behind drywall or beneath carpets.
Additionally, if your home’s foundations need to be sealed to prevent future basement mold, this alone can cost up to $6,200.
To help you understand the underlying costs of basement mold removal, we’ve broken down the average costs of mold removal into their key components, including the cost of mold removal per square foot, the labor cost per hour to remove mold, and the cost of supplies needed to remove mold.
| Service | Quantity | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basement mold removal | Square foot | $15 | $30 |
| Basement mold removal labour cost | Hourly | $75 | $120 |
| Job supplies | $200 | $1200 | |
| Total per square foot | $15 | $30 | |
| Total for project | $500 | $3,000 |
Average Estimate: $500 – $3,000
These numbers can differ depending on where you live, the extent of your mold growth, and the work required to properly and effectively remediate your basement.
Always ensure that you get a quote from at least three reputable mold remediators before beginning any remediation works in your home – this will ensure that you always receive the best and fairest pricing for the job at hand.
| Additional services | Quantity | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation sealing | Square foot | $5 | $10 |
| Replace drywall | Square foot | $2.12 | |
| Replace wall insulation | Square foot | $0.45 | $1.50 |
| Replace concrete/flooring | Square foot | $1.65 | $8 |
Basement mold removal cost per square foot
On average, the cost per square foot to remove mold from your home ranges between $15 and $30. This means that the cost to remove mold from a 100 square foot basement will average between $1,500 to $3,000.
While this cost guideline is a good barometer when you’re budgeting your mold removal, there may be other additional costs that can see your final invoice soar, particularly when you are removing mold from your basement.
Mold in the basement can often be a sign of deeper, more prevailing issues that require more extensive remediation than just removing patches of mold.
Cost to replace mold affected drywall
It is difficult to remediate drywall without replacing it, as mold spores tend to permeate this material. The replacement of mold-infested drywall costs, on average, $2.12 per square foot.
If your basement wall has spread even further and has started to grow within your wall insulation, it will also need to be replaced. The average cost per square foot to replace wall insulation ranges from $0.45–$1.50.
Basement repair and waterproofing cost
For many homeowners, the primary cost of mold remediation in the basement will come about through waterproofing and sealing your home’s foundations. This cost is not included in the average cost of basement mold removal and will require special attention and treatment.
On average, the cost to seal your home’s foundations and waterproof your basement are between $5 and $10 per square foot. In practical terms, this means that waterproofing and sealing your foundations will cost between $2,100 and $6,200.
There are a few different methods of basement waterproofing, and the one most suitable for your home will depend upon your individual circumstances. Broadly, basement waterproofing will typically focus on either the interior or the exterior.
Interior basement waterproofing
Waterproofing paints, sealants, and coating are often used in interior waterproofing. However, these waterproofing methods take something of a band-aid approach to basement waterproofing and do not really do much to address the root cause of the problem: water ingress.
One method of interior basement waterproofing involves the use of special draining systems, plastic paneling, and a sump pump. Under this method, any water that gets through your basement wall will run down the plastic paneling into a drainage system on the floor. A sump pump will then move the water out of your basement.
If you are taking the interior waterproofing approach to your basement, then you will also need to ensure that any cracks or holes in your basement walls, floors, windows, and doors, have been properly sealed and watertight.
Exterior basement waterproofing
By far the most effective, but also the most costly, method of waterproofing your basement is via external waterproofing. External waterproofing will prevent water from getting into your basement from the outside, and in many cases will stop the root cause of basement moisture and mold in its tracks.
Exterior waterproofing involves excavating the soil around your home. After this soil has been excavated, a waterproof sealant is applied to the exterior walls.
Will my landlord pay for basement mold removal?
As in many situations in which you need to engage with your landlord on the maintenance and upkeep of your rental home, knowing who is liable to pay for basement mold removal is not always easy.
If the basement mold in your rental property is obvious, and you can readily demonstrate and document its presence, then your landlord is liable to pay for its removal.
If your landlord disputes the presence of this basement mold, however, the matter becomes slightly more complicated. In this situation, you may need to pay for a mold inspection to certify the presence of mold. Once you have this certification, your landlord will be required to pay for the removal of the mold and also reimburse you for the inspection cost.
If you notice basement mold growing in your rental property, ensure you take photos and notify your landlord in writing. This will ensure that you are covered in case a dispute does arise.
Is basement mold removal covered by insurance?
Most homeowners insurance will cover you for the costs of removing your basement mold if it has grown as the result of an unforeseen or non-preventable accident. This could include a flood or a burst pipe.
Most homeowners insurance will not cover the removal of basement mold that has sprung up as a result of neglect or if you have failed to maintain your home. This is more likely to be the case if you live in an older house, or in a climate that typically has high levels of humidity or rainfall.
If your home is prone to mold growths, either as a result of its age or the environment that you live in, it is worth thoroughly reviewing your insurance disclosure statement.
This will help you understand what is and is not covered under your individual home insurance policy, and can help you take steps to ensure that you are not drastically out of pocket should a basement mold issue arise in your home.
FAQ’s
Can mold in the basement affect upstairs?
For mold to grow, it needs three key environmental factors. These are: a damp or moist environment, adequate nutrients, and material or surface to grow on.
Given this, it is not surprising that mold tends to thrive in basements as these dark, dank rooms offer all three of these key environmental factors. But even if mold is growing in your basement, it doesn’t mean that it will automatically affect the upstairs area of your home.
Unless the upstairs rooms in your home offer a damp, moist environment for the mold to spread to and grow in, it will be very difficult for mold spores to take root and thrive.
However, if the mold in your basement is the result of a serious moisture or dampness problem, then it is likely your home as a whole is suffering from a wider moisture or dampness problem. As such, if you notice basement mold, it is important to establish the cause of any moisture problem to ensure that the rest of your home is not at risk.
Difference between mold removal and remediation
The terms ‘mold removal’ and ‘mold remediation are often used interchangeably. Although they ostensibly mean the same thing, the term ‘mold removal’ can be a bit misleading.
Mold is everywhere. Indoors and outdoors, all year round. As such, it is impossible to completely remove all mold spores from every environment. While you can certainly remove large patches of mold from a surface, there will still be some level of tiny, microscopic mold spores floating around.
For this reason, the term ‘mold remediation’ tends to be favored by those in the mold business. Instead of implicitly promising to remove every speck of mold from your home, this term instead implies that the mold will be managed, cleaned, and sanitized.
Will mold come back after removal?
If you have not identified and addressed the underlying moisture or dampness issue that was causing mold to grow in the first place, then there is every chance that the mold will grow back after removal. It is vital that you fix any moisture or dampness issues in your home if you wish to achieve long-term mold removal.
However, there are also several other steps you can take to help prevent recurring mold growths in your home.
Chief among these is keeping your home dry and well ventilated. This will create an environment that is not conducive to mold growth, as mold spores thrive in damp and dark places. A dehumidifier can help prevent mold growth in your home, particularly if you live in a humid climate.
Is a dehumidifier a worthwhile investment?
If you live in a damp or humid climate, investing in a dehumidifier can be a worthwhile exercise. Dehumidifiers can act as powerful and helpful tools for mold prevention by keeping moisture levels in your home at a lower level.
