How Much Does a Mold Inspection Cost in 2024?

The typical price range of a mold inspection is between $350 and $930.

Homeowners who require a mold inspection should expect to pay an average of $600. The typical price range of a mold inspection is between $350 and $930.

Mold can be a serious health concern if you find it growing in your home. Mold can grow extremely quickly in dark, moist areas. By the time you notice it, there may be a significant amount of mold in your walls and vents. Mold can affect your allergies, but it can also be toxic, so it’s best to get ahead of the issue with an inspection. 

In this cost guide:

Average Mold Inspection Costs in 2024

National Average Cost$600
Typical Price Range$350 – $930
Extreme Low-End Cost$200
Extreme High-End Cost$2,170

The typical price range for a mold inspection is between $350 and $930. The national average cost for mold inspections is $600. Depending on the size of your home and the extent of your mold problem, a mold inspection can cost as much as $2,170. Likewise, inspections for smaller homes with less mold may cost as little as $200.

Mold Inspection Cost Estimator by Home Size

The biggest cost factor in mold inspection and treatment will be the significance of mold growth. Larger homes will have more areas for potential mold to grow. Mold inspection costs, on average, 25 cents per square foot.

Using the following examples of small, medium, and large homes, we calculated the average overall cost of mold inspection by home size. We multiplied the size of each home by the average mold inspection cost of 25 cents per square foot.

Home Size Average Overall Cost 
1,000 square feet$250
2,500 square feet$625
3,500 square feet$875

Other Factors That Affect Cost

Some other factors that affect the cost of a mold inspection include:

Mold Type

Most mold types cost an average of $350 to $930 for inspection and testing. The mold types that will cost you the most ($700 or more) are Fusarium and Stachybotrys Chartarum. Both of these types can be extremely toxic. Fusarium can cause cornea infections that can lead to blindness and cause a bodywide infection if spores enter the bloodstream. 

Stachybotrys Chartarum is called “black mold” and causes illness in infants and those with respiratory conditions. It is considered a neurotoxin and may attack your nervous system. Treating black mold is an extensive process and may require you to leave your home while it is being removed.

Accessibility

Often, mold inspection and removal companies will charge at least $700 or higher for inaccessible areas. Some areas that are easier to inspect and take less time include bathroom walls, kitchen walls, and windowsills. Difficult-to-inspect areas may include vents, air ducts, wall cavities, and crawl spaces. 

Type of Testing 

Test TypeAverage Cost
HVAC Testing$50 – $75
Culture Testing$50 – $75
Stain Testing$150 – $200
Swab Testing$200 – $300
Air Testing$500 – $700

There are a few different types of mold testing: 

  • HVAC tests are exactly what they sound like: they specifically test the HVAC system in your home for mold. 
  • Culture tests are placed in a room or throughout the house for a while and then sent to a lab for testing. 
  • Stain tests collect mold spores from both surfaces and the air to determine not only the type of mold but its growth pattern and spore count.
  • Swab tests take surface samples of areas with visible mold growth. 
  • Air testing is helpful when there is no visible mold growth but there are mold spores present.

Size of Contaminated Area

The overall cost of a mold inspection can be determined by the extent to which your home is contaminated. Large mold contaminations can raise the price of your service significantly due to the time spent to locate and accurately assess the mold. Expect large contaminations to put the price of the service at the higher end of the typical price range.

Related Services 

Once your mold inspection is complete, you might need to pay for some of the following services, too. 

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation typically costs homeowners between $1,370 and $3,325. This service involves removing mold colonies from your home. In addition to mold removal, your professional mold inspector may return the humidity in the area to normal levels, provide repairs, and fix any leaks that may have been causing mold growth.

Mold Damage Repair

Mold remediation often involves repairs to areas damaged by mold. Typically, drywall replacement costs between $1.40 and $2.95 per square foot, while carpet replacement will cost between $6.20 and $13.10 per square foot. The cost of mold remediation overall will be impacted by the extent of the mold damage.

Roof Leak Repair

Roof leak repair costs between $410 and $1,150 on average. Roof leaks are common causes of mold growth, especially in attics. To prevent future mold growth and damage, you’ll want to take care of the leak as soon as possible.

Termite Control

Termite control typically costs between $230 and $950. Moisture issues and water damage can attract not only mold but termites as well. Termites can cause extensive damage to your home. A professional can rid your home of termites and determine any moisture problems that are attracting them.

Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost

Mold inspections and testing can be costly services. This cost comes before the potentially high cost of removing the mold and repairing the damage. Testing for mold in your home DIY is fairly simple. It can be done with household items such as cotton swabs and diluted bleach or with mold testing kits that can be found at home improvement stores.

DIY EquipmentAverage Cost
Swabs$5
Bleach$5
Home Testing Kit$30
Total DIY Cost of Swabs and Bleach$10
Total DIY Cost of Home Testing Kit$30

Typically, home testing kits can let you know whether there is mold in your home within 48 hours. A cotton swab dipped in diluted bleach can be dabbed on a surface, and if it quickly lightens or remains present even after being cleaned, there may be mold or mildew present. 

However, these DIY methods and test kits can’t tell you what type of mold is present in your home or how toxic it may be. For this, you may have to send a sample of the mold to a lab for testing or simply have a professional inspect your home instead. 

If you’re worried about moisture in your home, you can purchase a dehumidifier to remedy the problem yourself. Dehumidifiers for small spaces will cost you around $40, while dehumidifiers for entire homes cost $700.

Cost of a Mold Inspection by Location

Mold inspection costs vary depending on the area you live in but will typically line up with the cost of living. Expect larger cities with high costs of living to have hefty mold inspection costs. For example: Mold inspections in Austin, TX commonly cost between $250 and $385. A mold inspection in Los Angeles, CA, will be much more expensive, between $600 and $1,000.

Remember, mold inspection costs also depend on where you suspect the mold is located in your home. Inspecting hard-to-access areas of your home will cost you closer to the high end of the typical price range.

FAQ

How do I prepare for my mold inspection?

Keep your doors and windows shut for at least two hours before the inspection to ensure a valid reading.
Turn off any air purifiers for at least 24 hours.
Turn off HVAC or central heating systems for at least two hours.
Do not bathe within 12 hours of your appointment to ensure inspectors can find sources of leaks easily.
Do not do any landscaping or cutting for four hours before the inspection to ensure no natural outdoor mold skews the results.

What are the signs of mold exposure?

For people who are sensitive to mold, exposure to mold can cause sore throat, wheezing, a stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes or skin. People with bad mold allergies or asthma may have even more intense reactions. Sometimes, severe reactions such as fever or shortness of breath can occur.

Do air purifiers help with mold?

Air purifiers do not help with active mold present on surfaces but will help capture airborne mold spores. Air purifiers capture these spores to prevent them from reproducing and spreading.

Final Thoughts 

If you’ve had recent water damage to your home or flooding in your area, getting a mold inspection can protect your home from future damage and your family from potential health problems. When you’re selling your property or buying a new home, it’s a good idea to contact your local mold inspection company. 

Mold inspection costs will vary depending on the size of your home and the size of the mold infestation. Testing if mold is present in your home is an affordable DIY project. However, to handle large contaminations and determine the type and toxicity of the mold in your home, it’s best to hire a professional. Contact your local mold inspector and remediation company for help.

Main Photo by: carlpenergy / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Beck Carter

Beck Carter

Beck is a creative writer from Central Texas. She graduated with an MFA in poetry from Texas State University. Beck enjoys martial arts, kayaking, and walking her wiener dog, Cookie.