The Cost of Mold Damage

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage in a Seattle, WA home

You may think that a bit of mold damage to your Seattle, WA, home is not a big deal. Yet the problem will not go away on its own. If you allow the mold growth to continue, you may have to call in professional mold removal specialists. The more extensive the damage, the more the mold cleanup will cost.

Mold Inspection

If you suspect a mold problem in your home, you should first bring in an inspector to confirm if your suspicions are correct. This can cost between $200 and $600. A qualified mold inspector should have:

• An undergraduate degree in science or engineering
• Proof of mold investigation coursework
• Industry certification
  

Mold Remediation

Once an inspector has confirmed the presence of mold in your home, the cleanup can begin. The process typically starts with mold removal. Experts will also clean and disinfect any personal items, walls or carpets affected by the mold.
The cost of this service can vary. If you only have mold in your crawlspaces, you will likely have to pay between $500 and $4,000. However, if your home has major structural damage, the repairs could cost $10,000 or more.
The expense doesn’t end there. If the infestation is severe, you may need to temporarily move out of your home during the black mold removal. You would then have to spend more money on hotel costs.

Insurance Coverage

While insurance may pay for this black mold cleanup, the coverage only applies in certain circumstances. If the mold growth resulted from a burst pipe or a similar emergency, you will likely be covered. However, if you failed to properly address a water leak or flood in your home, and this excess moisture led to the mold, you may be responsible for the cost of mold removal.

Finding and cleaning mold from your home is an expensive process. Insurance may not cover the costs, either. You should thus do what you can to limit the buildup of mold in your house.