What are the risks?

Mold has been linked to a variety of serious problems, including health risks to those in its immediate surroundings and structural damage of your office or home. All it really takes for its spores to become a full-on problem is moisture and time. So, it is best to get rid of it as soon as possible. To fix this fungal issue, you could either remove the growth yourself or hire a professional.

For the more severe situations, you might not only be scared by the extreme contamination you are faced with but also by the extreme prices of the removal services. Costs can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. DIY projects are considerably less expensive, only requiring maybe a few tens or hundreds of dollars. Although this difference in prices does sound enticing, remember that DIY jobs are only recommended for moldy areas of smaller than 10 square feet. Check out our article on mold removal types explaining which situations warrant which types of remediation efforts. Both methods have their pros and cons, whether in regards to their costs, uses, or risks. Let's start off by talking about the do-it-yourself projects and then move on to the professionals.

At-home Mold Removal Projects

For those thinking of tackling a mold issue on their own, you must take care of your health and properly prepare yourself for this task. This means getting the appropriate tools, researching into the right remediation methods, and outfitting yourself in suitable clothing. A quick search on the Internet will show that a small DIY project will typically be around $50 to $500, whether you're buying the cheapest set of gear or getting top-of-the-line equipment and chemicals. Typical prices seem to average around $150 - $250 even if you buy the necessary tools separately. At minimum, the items that you will need to pick up are goggles without vents, an N-95 respirator, and rubber gloves that reach your mid-forearm. Your cleaning options could be a home-made bleach and water mixture, a commercial cleaner, or non-ammonia soap with water. More likely than not, you will already have household bleach at your disposal so that's one less thing to worry about and one more thing to save on.

Keep in mind that mold testing kits are different from mold remediation kits as the former is used to verify whether you have a fungal infestation present in your living space and the latter resolves this smelly issue. You will see the two referenced together often or even used interchangeably. However, they are not the same as their functions are very different. Testing kits can range from $10 to $400 but usually averages around $50. Organizations such as the CDC actually recommend that you avoid buying a test kit since mold testing is not standardized and is quite unnecessary if you already know you have mold indoors.

The perks of doing a mold remediation project by yourself are certainly attractive. First of all, it is way cheaper and much less time-consuming. This is because you aren't employing a contractor nor are you buying any of the pricey, advanced equipment that these professionals use. You are also focusing on a contaminated area that is less than 10 square feet so it is much less work. Another benefit is that you will now have the right equipment to use again should the mold decide to make a reappearance or another area in your office starts showing the tell-tale signs.

Professional Mold Remediation Services

When it comes to large areas of mold, using a certified mold remediation professional is your best option. Quite honestly, it is also your only option as you should not attempt to remove severe mold infestations yourself. These trained specialists not only have the experience and knowledge to deal with your funky situation but they also have the proper equipment to safely eradicate the problem. Depending on a variety of factors, the prices can vary greatly. For a large mitigation company like SERVPRO, getting an inspection or a remediation could cost you anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000. Yet, for smaller companies, the numbers are much lower, around $500 to $5,000. Typically, professionals will use stronger cleaning solutions, air scrubbers, and high-efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) vacuums, which explains the increased costs. Also, if they have to remove or break down any structures like walls or ceilings, this easily contributes to the price hikes.

You must research into companies in order to find credible options. There are quite a few unlicensed "professionals" out there trying to make quick money off of the "mold scare". Due to some shocking findings on mold that had been blasted all over the news, people are now put into a panic just at the sight of the fungal nuisance. This immediately led to a number of mold removal companies revving up their marketing tactics and trying to scare people into getting their services. Therefore, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid companies that offer free testing because it may be their way of hooking you in and getting you to buy their mold removal services afterwards.

The advantages of hiring mold remediation specialists present another attractive option. First and foremost, you do not have to do it yourself. Beyond that, you also do not have to buy your own gear and tools. With a professional coming in and working on your fungal situation, you know that everything will be handled very carefully and safely. Although this method is much more expensive, you won't have to work on over 10 square feet of mold and worry about making mistakes that may cause the mold to spread even further.

Summary

Price should not be the deciding factor when determining which mold removal option to go with. The size of the moldy area, the safety of the mold removal task, and other aspects carry more weight. However, cost is something that one does and should consider when weighing the pros and cons of the two methods.