Video transcriptHow Much Does Mold Remediation Really Cost?
Mark, so you completed a mold inspection, and let's say you found some elevated mold levels and some visual mold. Yeah. So now the customer naturally is going to ask, how much is it going to cost for me to remove this mold? So how much does mold remediation and removal cost with our company? Yeah. So first, let's go over what goes into it. The first thing we want to do — let's pretend this is the area that we're treating, or we're looking at this 300 square foot basement. Okay, like 15 by 20 feet. My beautiful drawing here.
So the first order of operation is the prep work. Again, we're here to honor the homeowner's place, right? So the first thing we're going to do is set up floor covering. One thing you're going to notice: none of our guys will ever step foot in that house without shoe covers and floor covering. The second order of operation is, again, some more prep work. So the next step is going to be containment. The purpose of containment — I mean, keep in mind, what we're going to be doing in that house is going to be very invasive. There's a lot that goes into it.
We want to basically protect the occupants in that house. So there's going to be zipper doors, there's going to be tension poles. Basically, it's going to be like a little crime scene in the house. Really, depending on — referencing back to our basement here — you know, what we use to determine how much the cost is going to be is what's called a mold severity index. Depending on the material, sometimes it needs to be removed. There really is no saving it if it's porous. Exactly: your drywall, your insulation.
Once that's removed, that is bagged and then goosenecked inside that containment. Now, once they're exiting that premises, you will never see our guys walking around with drywall or wood. Everything they're going to come out with is going to be bagged and pretty much goosenecked, and they take that out, because the whole idea is we don't want to contaminate other spots that don't have mold. Exactly. Now, again, referencing back to our mold severity index, there's sometimes material that can be treated.
So for instance, your bottom plates, the framing of the basement — sometimes when that's impacted we can treat it using a patented method called the React Extract. Basically, we just apply a chemical. It creates an excess of surfactants, almost like a lifting agent, and gets the mold staining out, and those roots out, those small little fibers that go in, and then we actually vacuum it off.
Now, a couple other things that are happening inside that containment chamber, or that area that we're working in: there's always going to be some kind of negative air or some kind of filtration to basically help make sure the HEPA filters, right? You're also going to see one of those HEPA filters ducted out an actual window, because again, we're disturbing things. Whatever those HEPA filters don't catch, we want to ensure that it's basically ducted outside. Once that is complete, we are then going to HEPA vacuum every square inch of that basement.
This is just to ensure that the next steps that we're going to do are going to help us pass what's called the post-remediation evaluation. So in every project that we handle, we are going to be treating the air ducts. That's just going to be part of the job. It just helps us ensure that when we leave that house, we've done everything that we could to make sure, A, the air is healthy, but B, it's visibly clean and ready for use. So with a mold remediation job, they're also going to get a full-house duct cleaning job. Correct. Got it. Yep.
Now once that is complete, between 24 to 48 hours, I'm going to return to that place, like I mentioned, to do the post-remediation evaluation. So kind of how the homeowner started is how they're going to finish and start out with us. Yep. And also, I know we offer, if a homeowner chooses to use a third-party person, they could do a post-remediation verification with a third-party person to confirm that the mold remediation was done the right way. Yes. That's the beginning to end. Now, one question we have homeowners ask me.
They say, Mark, what if you come here and I don't pass that test? Do I have to pay for it? And my answer is absolutely not. Okay, so we guarantee the work. Yep. And so what is the cost for somebody? Let's say this is a 15 by 20 room in the basement, different mold severity index in the entire room. Approximately — I know each job is different, but on average, how much is it per square foot? So, between 13 and 16 dollars per square foot.
So in our instance here, in this 15 by 20, you know, 300 square foot basement, I mean, we can be looking at anywhere from thirty-six hundred dollars up to forty-eight hundred dollars. Just a range, again: if there's a lot of content we have to move around, couches, belongings, that may factor into the budget. Generally speaking, I'm pretty confident getting somebody a number like that.
So mold remediation, duct cleaning, post-remediation evaluation or verification, all that, approximately 13 to 16 dollars per square foot — in this example, 3,600 to 4,800 dollars for all that work. Thank you. Thank you.
Ever wonder how the pros tackle mold cleanup? Or what to expect when you hire a Cleveland pro for mold cleanup in your own home?
We at Mold and Air Duct Pros can only vouch for our own mold removal process. In this post, we’ll walk through it from the initial conversation to post-remediation evaluation.
Ready to learn more? Let’s look at how we contain the work, clean affected areas, and verify the result.
Free Visual Consult
It all begins with a free visual consult. This initial step is our chance to connect with you. It helps us understand the details of your space and the full scope of the mold issue at hand. Your insights during this conversation are very important, giving us a personal understanding of your unique situation.
We will get into details about your building — its size, layout, and any specific areas of concern. We will also want to learn about who is living in the space. Are there individuals with respiratory conditions, allergies, or other health concerns? This information guides our approach, ensuring that we address not just the mold but also prioritize the well-being of everyone involved.
Consider this conversation the foundation of our partnership. By sharing what you have noticed during the free visual consult, you help us understand whether a paid inspection and testing are the right next step. Let’s talk about your concerns and the clearest way forward. It also helps to know what an inspection costs before you commit to one.
Mold Inspection
With information gathered during the free visual consult, we will be ready for the next step: mold inspection. Handling mold needs a careful approach because it can be hard to find, and that’s where InstaScope comes into play. With your approval, we conduct a whole-home air analysis.
As we go room by room, you might wonder, “What exactly are we looking for, and how does this shape the plan?”
We are looking for various indicators of mold, viruses, bacteria, and pollen using InstaScope. This technology provides instant results, offering a real-time snapshot of the mold situation. The results help us identify potential risks and shape a personalized mold remediation plan that addresses specific issues in your environment. Analyzing the air in each room is crucial because mold spores are not visible to the naked eye and can travel through buildings with airflow, even hiding behind walls and inside air ducts. This detailed analysis helps us plan our next move – crafting a safe and effective mold cleanup plan tailored to your specific needs.
In addition to the data gathered by InstaScope, our experienced inspectors use their senses and years of expertise. Visual cues, odors, and their extensive knowledge contribute to their complete understanding of the mold situation in your home.
Cover and Protect
After the mold inspection, we are ready to get started! Once we get into your home, our first step is going to be covering and protecting your space. Respecting your home is a top priority, and that’s why we take special care in protecting your floors and belongings during the mold cleanup process.
We protect the work path, nearby flooring, and belongings before remediation begins. Plastic sheeting and other coverings help limit dust, debris, and disruption outside the work area.
Containment Barriers
As we progress in the mold cleanup process, the next critical step is to set up containment barriers. These barriers are strategically placed in areas with high mold counts and visible growth. The purpose? To prevent the mold from spreading to other areas of your building.
We create a designated cleanup zone using plastic sheeting and other materials as necessary. We also cover vents and other openings to reduce the chance of particles spreading into unaffected areas during remediation.
Air Filtration
With containment barriers securing the designated zones, our focus turns to filtering the air. Airborne particles can spread easily, so High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration devices are positioned within the containment areas before we move forward.
HEPA filters are designed to trap microscopic particles, including mold spores. These devices reduce airborne contaminants within the contained work area while the remediation is underway.
Using HEPA filtration adds a crucial layer to our remediation strategy, going beyond surface mold cleanup to take care of potential airborne mold particles. It’s a step we take not only to remove visible mold but also improve the air quality in your home or building. This aligns with our commitment to proactive measures – we want to leave your home better than before.
Demolition and Removal, If Required
Sometimes, effective mold cleanup requires carefully removing and demolishing contaminated materials. This is not a one-size-fits-all step—it depends on how severe the mold is and how much the materials are affected. If demolition is needed, it’s executed carefully, removing only what is necessary. This approach keeps disruption to a minimum while efficiently tackling the mold problem.
The decision to proceed with demolition comes only after the thorough assessment described in earlier steps. If materials like drywall or flooring are heavily contaminated and can’t be adequately cleaned, removal becomes the best choice. It’s a strategic approach, ensuring that the cleanup is both effective and efficient.
Partnering with Keselman Construction Group, Mold and Air Duct Pros can give you a seamless transition from mold cleanup to any necessary damage restoration. Having an experienced construction team in-house is a huge advantage when reconstructing after demolition and removal.
HEPA Vacuuming
After the controlled demolition and removal, the next step is the use of a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum. This specialized vacuum is used to clean and capture any remaining mold particles on surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and floors. This makes sure that every nook and cranny is thoroughly cleaned.
The HEPA vacuum is a powerful tool designed to trap even the tiniest mold particles, which makes it an important part of a comprehensive mold cleanup.
There are two main reasons for using a HEPA vacuum:
- Thorough Cleanup: After demolition and removal, surfaces may still contain traces of mold. The HEPA vacuum meticulously cleans these surfaces, leaving no room for stubborn mold.
- Preventing Cross-Contamination: By using a HEPA vacuum, we lower the risk of cross-contamination. This is crucial in protecting the integrity of unaffected areas and preventing the accidental spread of mold particles during the cleanup process.
React/Extract
Next up, we use a professional-grade system known as React/Extract. This system utilizes the power of reacted chemistry to cause contaminants, including mold, to be driven to the surface.
It is a targeted approach – React/Extract works specifically on the affected surfaces, pulling contaminants (at a microscopic level!) to the forefront. These contaminants are collected in a foam that will sit on top of the surface until removed.
This step is crucial for dealing with any remaining particles that are still hanging on after the mold cleanup. Using this technology gives us precision as we finish up the process.
Wet Vacuum Extraction
After applying React/Extract to salvageable wood, we use wet vacuum extraction to remove the foam and contaminants brought to the surface. The cleaned surfaces then move on to final evaluation.
Whole-Home Air Duct Cleaning
Every Mold and Air Duct Pros remediation includes whole-home air duct cleaning. This helps remove particles that may have circulated through the HVAC system during the mold concern.
Post-Remediation Evaluation
We don’t just come in, remove the mold, and assume that it worked.
After completing the cleanup process, we perform a post-remediation evaluation to compare the results with acceptable outdoor baseline levels. If covered work does not pass, we return and continue the remediation at no additional charge under our service guarantee.
Conclusion: Let’s Do Some Mold Cleanup!
We hope that we’ve given you a clear idea of what to expect from our mold cleanup process. We are confident that it’s among the best out there. In fact, we trust it (and our team of pros) so much that we offer a 100% Mold Remediation Service Guarantee.
Looking for a Cleveland mold professional you can trust? Schedule a free visual consult and we’ll help you understand the concern, the testing options, and the next step.
