Real pricing from a local mold remediation company—plus what’s actually included in a professional job.
If you’ve found mold in your home, your first question is probably: “How much is this going to cost me?”
It’s a fair question. And honestly, it’s one that most mold companies won’t answer directly. You’ll see ranges online anywhere from “$500 to $30,000″—which isn’t helpful at all.
So, let’s talk real numbers.
Our Mold Remediation Pricing
For a typical 300 square foot area (like a section of basement), professional mold remediation costs between $3,600 and $4,800.
That works out to roughly $13 to $16 per square foot of affected area. That price includes everything: the containment, the removal, the air scrubbing, the HEPA vacuuming, the air duct cleaning, and the post-remediation testing to verify the job was done correctly. No surprise add-ons.
The range depends on severity—specifically, how much demolition is required and how deeply the mold has penetrated materials.
Why Mold Remediation Costs What It Does
When someone asks why mold remediation isn’t cheaper, the honest answer is: because doing it right requires a lot of steps, equipment, and expertise.
Here’s what actually goes into a professional mold remediation job:
Containment Setup
Before anyone touches the mold, we create a controlled environment. This means setting up what looks like a crime scene—zipper doors, tension poles against the ceiling, plastic sheeting to isolate the work area.
Why? Because when you disturb mold (removing drywall, for example), spores become airborne. Without proper containment, you’d just spread contamination throughout the house.
Assessment Using Mold Severity Index
Not all mold damage is treated the same way. During a mold inspection, we use what’s called a mold severity index to determine the right approach for each section of the affected area.
Some areas might need surface treatment. Others—like drywall that’s severely discolored with visible growth going all the way through—need to be removed entirely.
You Can’t Just Kill Mold, You Also Have to Remove It
Here’s something many homeowners don’t realize: you can’t just spray something on mold and call it done.
There’s a misconception that you can kill mold with bleach or some chemical, paint over it, and move on. That’s not how it works. The industry standard says you remove mold—you don’t just treat it in place.
Those spores are still in the air. The air quality remains the same. The mold roots are still embedded in the material. Anyone who tells you they can just “spray and seal” visible mold is cutting corners.
Material Removal
Severely impacted drywall gets removed. Same with porous materials like insulation behind the walls—once mold gets into fiberglass insulation, it has to go.
For mold on wood (like studs or joists), we use a process called React Extract. It’s a chemical solution that acts as a lifting agent, removing not just the visible staining but the actual roots the mold embeds into the wood.
Air Scrubbing and Negative Pressure
Even with careful removal, mold spores become airborne during remediation. That’s where negative air pressure machines come in.
These do two things: capture particles inside the containment area through HEPA filters, and duct remaining spores outside through a window. Whatever the filters don’t catch gets pushed outside rather than into your living spaces.
HEPA Vacuuming
After treatment, our technicians physically HEPA vacuum every square inch of the affected area. This isn’t a quick pass—it’s methodical, detailed work.
Air Duct Cleaning
Every mold remediation job we do includes air duct cleaning. Every single one.
Some customers ask about this—”Isn’t that just an upsell?” It’s not. Here’s why: mold spores become airborne and travel through your home. With the amount of air flowing through HVAC vents, those spores get picked up and distributed throughout the house.
Cleaning the ducts is part of actually solving the problem, not just treating the visible area. And it’s included in our pricing—not an add-on.
Post-Remediation Verification
After all the work is complete, we test. This is called post-remediation verification.
We don’t consider a job done until we can provide documentation proving the air quality meets acceptable levels. We’re testing to confirm we achieved “condition one”—visibly clean surfaces and normal air quality readings.
This matters because mold remediation in Ohio is unregulated. There’s no license requirement, no oversight. Some companies will come in, see visible mold, spray some chemical, and leave. What they’ve actually done is spread spores throughout the house while collecting a check.
Post-remediation testing is how you know the work was actually effective.
What Happens If Testing Fails?
Fair question. If post-remediation verification shows we didn’t hit acceptable levels, we do additional work at no extra charge to you. That’s part of our 100% mold remediation guarantee.
It rarely happens. In over 1,200 home inspections, we’ve had to go back maybe three or four times. When you invest in proper protocols, equipment, and training, you pass the tests.
But the guarantee matters—you’re not paying twice if something was missed.
What About Preventing Future Mold?
Once remediation is complete, prevention becomes the focus. Two things help:
Mold-resistant coating: We apply a protective coating to treated surfaces that carries a 10-year warranty. As long as the coating remains intact, mold won’t grow on those surfaces. It breathes—lets moisture out but not in.
Humidity control: High humidity is how mold problems start. Professional-grade dehumidifiers keep moisture levels in check, especially in basements and crawl spaces where mold most commonly develops.
If mold has left behind musty smells even after removal, odor removal services can address lingering scents that standard remediation doesn’t fully eliminate.
Questions to Ask Any Mold Remediation Company
If you’re getting quotes from multiple companies, here’s what to ask:
Does your price include post-remediation testing? If not, how will you prove the job was effective?
Is air duct cleaning included? If it’s listed separately, find out why—and what the total cost actually becomes.
What happens if air quality tests don’t pass? Get it in writing.
Are you actually removing mold, or treating in place? Be wary of anyone who talks about “killing” mold and sealing over it.
What containment procedures do you use? If they can’t describe proper isolation protocols, walk away.
The Bottom Line on Cost
Mold remediation isn’t cheap. A 300 square foot area runs $3,600 to $4,800 when done properly.
But “properly” is the key word. You’re paying for containment that prevents spreading spores through your house. For actual removal rather than cosmetic treatment. For verification testing that proves the job worked. For air duct cleaning that addresses the whole-home air quality issue.
Cheaper quotes exist. They almost always skip steps. And those skipped steps mean you’ll be dealing with the same problem again—or worse, a problem that’s spread throughout your home.
The value isn’t just in the work. It’s in knowing it’s actually done.
FAQs
How much does mold remediation cost in Cleveland?
Most mold remediation jobs vary based on the size of the affected area and how severe the mold growth is. In the example discussed (about a 300 square foot area), pricing ranged from $3,600 to $4,800, depending on severity and how much controlled demolition is needed.
Do I need a mold inspection before you can quote a mold remediation price?
Yes, because the correct scope depends on what’s affected, what materials are involved, and how far contamination may have spread. An inspection lets you create a plan that protects the occupants and ensures the remediation is done safely and correctly.
What does “containment” mean during a mold remediation project?
Containment is the process of sealing off the work area so mold spores and dust do not spread into clean parts of the home. This often includes plastic barriers, a zipper door entry, and a controlled environment for removal and cleanup.
Can mold be removed by spraying bleach on it and painting over it?
Not reliably. Spraying and covering may reduce visible staining, but it often does not address the underlying contamination, and spores can remain in the air. Professional remediation commonly involves removing contaminated materials when needed and cleaning the area thoroughly.
What steps are typically included in a professional mold remediation process?
A proper process usually includes containment, worker PPE, removal of contaminated materials (like drywall and sometimes insulation), air scrubbing with negative air machines, detailed HEPA vacuuming, and a final verification step to confirm the area is clean.
Why is air duct cleaning sometimes included with mold remediation?
Because mold spores can become airborne and may be carried through the HVAC system. Cleaning the ductwork can help reduce leftover contamination circulating after remediation, especially when airflow may have moved spores beyond the original area.
What is post-remediation verification, and why is it important for mold remediation?
Post-remediation verification is testing or evaluation after remediation to confirm the area meets a clean standard. It provides documentation and peace of mind that the mold problem was addressed properly.
Do I have to pay more if post-remediation verification shows the area is not clean yet?
No, you should not have to pay extra for a reputable company to correct their own work. If verification does not pass, the remediation contractor should return to perform additional cleaning or corrections needed to meet the required standard.