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 |  | Do-It-Yourself: $5-$100 |  | Lab: $30-$150 per sample |  | Inspector: $200-$600+ |
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Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors, all year round. Although some forms of mold are extremely dangerous or even toxic, most molds are relatively harmless. However, large concentrations of indoor mold can cause odors, health problems[1] and, in some cases, structural damage to wood. An inspection and testing will determine how much mold is present in a home, and where.
Typical costs: |
- Do-it-yourself mold test kits[2] are available online or at home improvement stores for $5-$100. With a kit, you take a sample, place it in growth medium (like a petri dish) and wait 48 hours to see if mold grows. However, to learn exactly what types of mold are present you have to mail the kit to a lab, which adds shipping costs plus testing fees of $30-$150 per sample, depending on the level of identification and the type of report and consultation provided.
- A professional mold inspection of a typical family home runs $200-$600, although larger homes (5,000-10,000 square feet or more) can be $600-$900 and up. In extreme cases, the inspector may cut open the walls for what's known as an invasive inspection. The total additional cost will depend on the extent of the hidden mold and how much work is required to discover it.
Related articles: Mold Remediation, Lead Paint Abatement, Asbestos Removal
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What should be included: |
- Several different types of mold (also called mildew) are almost always present both indoors and out; they usually are benign and only grow large colonies where there's moisture. Because do-it-yourself test kits can become contaminated before use, ConsumerReports.org does NOT recommend the kits it evaluated. And it's usually not necessary to identify the type of mold[3] growing in your home, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); just remove the mold without testing it.
- Some companies offer both mold inspection and remediation, but most experts recommend using different contractors for these services. A full mold inspection of a typical home takes about 2-5 hours. The inspector will visually evaluate the structure, both
Additional costs: |
- There can be fees for additional paperwork for an insurance claim or other circumstances; if you need specific documentation, be sure to ask if it's included in the quote.
Shopping for mold inspection: |
- There are a number of organizations offering mold "certification" -- some require only a fee or an online course to qualify as a certified expert. Check to be sure that your inspector is certified by a group requiring training, experience and testing. Referrals are available from the American Council for Accredited Certification.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Jenny Hanson in Newport Beach, CA. | Posted: June 9th, 2020 03:06PM |
| Type of Test:: Mold |
Hi I wanted to leave feedback about a company I used called Knight Environmental Consulting. They went above and beyond to assess our home. My daughter has been very sick with mold allergies and has severe asthma. Knight Environmental was by far the mopst professional company I have used. They found the hidden mold in 3 places. All other companies in the last 2 years found nothing. Thank thank thank you Knight!!! |
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| Posted by: a user in Apopka, FL. | Posted: September 1st, 2019 12:09PM |
| Type of Test:: full testing |
Was this a high price or about the norm . |
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| Posted by: bob hanson in Los Angeles, CA, CA. | Posted: September 25th, 2018 09:09PM |
| Type of Test:: mold inspection and testing |
Hi we live in LA, Redondo Beach in CA. We got mold testing for $600. Thanks Knight Environmental for the great service and professional advice. |
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| Posted by: AMY SCHWARTZ in Los Angeles, CA. | Posted: April 5th, 2018 10:04PM |
| Type of Test:: MOLD TESTING INSPECTION |
It cost us 800. We were pleased with Knight Environmental consulting who we hired. They were very thorough. Friendly and respectful of our home.They checked everywhere in our 7000ft home and tested the air. The report was very factual and helpful. We recommended them to our neighbors. |
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| Posted by: Lisa Williams in Prescott, AZ. | Posted: September 25th, 2016 11:09AM |
| Type of Test:: Air sample |
We hired Dave McKay of Commercial and Residential Inspections LLC to test our home. Two areas were tested. We were very pleased with the lab report and the knowledge Dave had. I fully recommend Commercial and Residential Inspections. 602-404-7951 |
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| Posted by: Mrs. r in Rochester, NY. | Posted: April 1st, 2016 11:04AM |
| Type of Test:: Full testing |
After the job was complete, all mold treated, I was told I had to hire an inspector to check the job for another $300. I was told that was a NYS law. I can't find any place where I can confirm this additional cost. It seems very shady to me. |
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| Posted by: Mrs. r in Rochester, NY. | Posted: April 1st, 2016 11:04AM |
| Type of Test:: Full testing |
After the job was complete, all mold treated, I was told I had to hire an inspector to check the job for another $300. I was told that was a NYS law. I can't find any place where I can confirm this additional cost. It seems very shady to me. |
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| Posted by: Jessica Z. in Grand jct, CO. | Posted: November 25th, 2015 05:11AM |
| Type of Test:: Mold & Lead |
I had APS Come out and test for mold and lead on October 15, 2015 And I'm still waiting for my report and receipt!!! I would not recomend this company . He did hook me up with a legit asbestos testing company and He did a wonderful job. |
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| Posted by: Rosie S. in pleasantville, NJ. | Posted: September 19th, 2015 07:09AM |
| Type of Test:: full testing |
I used a company called IEAS,LLC They came to my church and performed testing and mold remediation services. They were professional,knowledgeable and very fair about their price. I was also happy to see they were very educated on mold and easy to talked to. |
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| Posted by: SWIFTA1 in Pacific Palisades, CA. | Posted: September 8th, 2015 11:09PM |
| Type of Test:: Mold Air Testing |
We got our new home tested for mold by Knight Environmental Consulting LLC. The scientists were cute and intelligent too! They took air samples and inspected the whole house (8000sqft). We heard a lot of other celebrities having mold issues so we checked it out before buying. Very happy, love the expert advice. They were like CSI detectives. no doubt this will hit TMZ lol. |
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| Posted by: Doug Henderson in Irvine, CA. | Posted: June 15th, 2015 05:06PM |
| Type of Test:: Inspection and samples |
I recommend Knight Environmental Consulting. They performed a complete mold inspection at a fair price. my wife and I were very pleased with their expert scientists. We were quoted up to 2000 by other companies. Thankfully we choose Knight and have recommended them to our neighbors as they are selling their home also. |
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| Posted by: Hanna and Steve Johnson in Malibu, CA. | Posted: May 24th, 2015 02:05PM |
| Type of Test:: Inspection |
We left Orange County, Newport Beach and were purchasing our new dream home in Malibu. Knight Environmental Consulting LLC visited our property and performed a mold inspection on both properties with air testing.
They were extremely polite, on time and we were greeted by their resident scientist. He was very knowledgeable. Having checked out other mold companies we went with Knight because of their experience and reputation.
We were very happy with the service tailored to our needs and how expert they were. We liked that they had advanced degrees in Microbiology.
We received a detailed scientific mold analysis report which was easy to understand. |
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| Posted by: Coldwell Banker in Los Angeles, CA. | Posted: April 14th, 2015 12:04AM |
| Type of Test:: INSPECTION |
We hired Knight Envionmental Consultants. They were professional envionmental consultants with graduate microbiology degrees. They found hidden mold in our clients dream home. Samples taken confirmed our fears. After another company remediated we called Knight Environmental Consulting back to perform a clearance inspection for our buyer. They gave us the all clear. Highly recommended, professional, courteous and on time. Inspection cost 575 plus two samples a 125 each. You get what you pay for. |
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| Posted by: JustJen in Fort Lauderdale, FL. | Posted: November 10th, 2014 11:11AM |
| Type of Test:: Mold Inspection with Remediation Plan |
I used On-Site Mold Analysis, they came to my house the following day, and took 6 surface samples, and 2 air samples, they did a lot of moisture readings throughout my house and took a ton of pictures, which were used in the report they sent to me, the very following day. It was exactly what I needed for my insurance company, and it gave me a clear "blueprint", of what was wrong in my house, what wasn't invaded by mold, and how the remediation crew should proceed.
I felt like they really knew what they were doing, considering they have there own lab and that the report they emailed me, the very next day was 38 pages long...
All and all they were not the cheapest when I was shopping around, but they were very close to it, and they told me what to look out for, when I continued shopping around. I felt like they're trustworthy, so that's why I went with them. |
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| Posted by: a user in Lee center, NY. | Posted: September 3rd, 2014 07:09AM |
| Type of Test:: whole house |
I used a company local to my area and was charged for testing two areas of my home which is about 1600 sq ft. I asked for the whole house to be tested but was told that it would be cheaper just to test the two areas because if it was in the house it was in the whole house. Was informed of excessive amounts of mold in my brand new 2013 home never lived in before order just for us. Currently going through a claim through my contractors insurance company and am hoping they just pay me and don't have to sue them for millions more than I'm asking for but hard headed insurance companies never learn so we'll see. |
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| Posted by: Alan Prescod in Morristown, NJ. | Posted: August 18th, 2014 05:08PM |
| Type of Test:: Air Sample |
I had a feeling that mold was growing in my house but had no proof . There was this smell that I described to a friend, she told me it sounded consistent with her experience of having mold in her basement. She referred me to a company named Eradicator Mold Remediation Services in our state of New Jersey. I gave them a call, scheduled an inspection, the cost was $175.00 The experience was professional and rewarding as the results that I received a few days later from the tests was conclusive of my fears. Best money spent. |
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| Posted by: Austen in Salt Lake, UT. | Posted: April 15th, 2014 07:04PM |
| Type of Test:: Mold Inspection |
I refer my clients a compnay that does a thorough physical inspection for mold, and the cost is usually around $150. They are very thorough and very good. They also offer testing, but most of my clients learn far more from the inspection than they could from test results with no waiting for the results and at a fraction of what testing could cost. Great service: www.biocleanofutah.com |
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| Posted by: Jeff Cohn in Philadelphia, PA. | Posted: September 30th, 2013 06:09AM |
| Type of Test:: Mold Remediation |
I'm a realtor in PA. A client of mine had mold in their basement which measured about 806 square feet. Some remediation companies wanted to charge between $4000 and $6000 for remediation. I used this mold cost table to determine what a fair price could be then found a company to do it for $2500. http://www.si-restoration.com/mold-remediation-cost/ |
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| Posted by: intermarketer in Bronx, NY. | Posted: June 10th, 2011 10:06AM |
| Type of Test:: mold |
I used a company called microecologies. I got great service, a detailed report of findings and an overall good experience. |
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| Posted by: Irina in Cleveland, OH. | Posted: August 18th, 2010 03:08PM |
| Type of Test:: mold and moisture |
My husband found a company here in Cleveland, Ohio called Mold Masters. We used them to evaluate a property that we were purchasing. They did a good job and provided us with a complete report. The pricing was fair and they had a lot of construction experience background to be able to determine the cause of the mold and corrections. We would recommend them, they can be found at www.moldmastersystems.net. It was the best $460.00 we ever spent. |
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| Posted by: danielson in Bakersfield, CA. | Posted: April 20th, 2010 05:04PM |
| Type of Test:: Full Testing |
I used a company called Asela Cleanup and Restoration, they are certified mold inspectors and they charged me $345 for the test results from the lab and a full report with an analysis. They helped me understand the results because the lab is really confusing. I found that testing can range from $300 to $1200 depending on who you use - I called around. I was told though that there are a lot of people who do testing without certification, so be careful. If you need someone, www.aselainc.com - they are in California. |
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External Resources: |
- www.cdc.gov/mold/iom_sum.htm
- www.google.com/search?tbm=shop&q=mold+test+kit
- www.cdc.gov/mold/
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