Budgeting for Home Safety Hazards

Average Cost of Home Safety Hazard Remediation

Fire Safety Costs

Fire safety costs range from $10 to $2,500. A basic smoke detector costs $10, is easy to install yourself and will sound off when it detects smoke. A residential fire alarm detection system costs between $650 and $950 and provides more information about the fire, including location. Plus, a fire alarm system will immediately alert the fire department for added safety and a faster emergency services response. A residential fire sprinkler system costs between $100 and $2,500, which works out at $2 to $7 per square foot covered.

Taking a multi-pronged approach to fire safety costs you more upfront, but it's invaluable in the event of a fire. Solid fire safety precautions can save your family's lives as well as reduce injury potential and property damage. Plus, you'll save on home insurance by up to 8% annually.

Consider adding a fire detection system and a sprinkler system for maximum fire safety and plan for smaller fires by adding fire extinguishers at strategic points in your home.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Costs

Installing a carbon monoxide detector costs $15 to $150 per device. You can also get a combination smoke and C02 detector for $35 to $120 as part of your fire safety preparations. You can also install C02 detectors as part of a wider fire detection system and connected to the fire alarm panel.

Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making it exceptionally dangerous, as people simply don't realize they're inhaling CO2. Plus, the early symptoms of C02 poisoning cause common ailments like nausea, headaches and dizziness—each often overlooked. This is why installing carbon monoxide detectors, particularly if you have any type of gas appliances, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, is so critical.

Lead Paint Remediation Costs

Lead paint remediation costs $800 to $11,000, depending on your home's size, the severity of the problem and whether the lead paint is on the interior, exterior or both.

If you own an older property or are thinking of buying one and don't know its history, you'll need a lead paint inspection or risk assessment, which costs between $300 and $2,000.

Depending on the inspection you request, the lead abatement pro will test interior and exterior paintwork, including walls, trim, windows, doors, molding, and railings. They may also test your soil for an exterior inspection, as lead paint can flake off the house and contaminate the soil.

If they find lead paint contamination, they'll give you a list of recommendations for abatement and you'll need to take action by hiring a lead abatement pro as soon as possible to protect your family’s health.

Asbestos Remediation Costs

Asbestos removal costs between $300 and $22,500. The cost range is so large because you may only have a small amount of asbestos to remove in your crawl space or ceiling, or you may need to have an entire property's worth of asbestos siding removed and replaced with something safer. Asbestos siding removal typically costs more than other asbestos removal projects because of the magnitude of the project.

If you're not sure whether you have an asbestos-contaminated property, your best option is to get an asbestos inspection which costs $230 to $800, depending on the property’s size and the ease of accessibility.

Mold Remediation Costs

Mold removal costs $10 to $25 per square foot, with an average project cost of $1,100 to $3,350. Mold can cause significant property damage and poses serious health risks if left unchecked, so hiring a mold remediation pro is crucial if you have a widespread mold issue.

Mold is often indicative of other problems, so once you clear it up, you may discover other projects, such as damp remediation, that you need to undertake to avoid a recurrence. If the mold issue is more than just a couple of feet, it's smart to get a mold inspection that costs between $300 and $1,000.

The mold abatement pro will test for the presence of mold, the source and the damage it may have already caused. They'll also provide you with recommendations for getting rid of the mold growth and preventing its return.

Pest Control and Animal Removal Costs

Pest removal costs $100 to $8,000, depending on the pest and its location.

For a one-time visit to spray for bugs or moths, you can pay as little as $100. However, significant infestations of problematic pests such as termites that require the home to be tented and may need repeated treatments can cost as much as $8,000.

Wildlife removal costs $100 to $600, with pricing based on the number of pests, their location, accessibility and the type of critter. Rodent extermination costs $150 to $450. Pest control specialists trap and release other creatures, like raccoons, skunks and groundhogs, costing between $200 and $600.

Some animals, such as bats, require exclusion rather than trap or extermination. This costs $200 to $550 and involves installing exclusion doors and sealing up all other entry points so that once the critters leave, they can't get back inside.

Universal Accessibility Modifications

Remodeling for universal accessibility costs between $830 and $8,000. You can pay as little as $100 or as much as $60,000, depending on the accessibility project. For example, installing grab rails costs $100, while installing an elevator costs between $2,500 and $60,000, as does making a property fully wheelchair accessible.

A new universally accessible bathroom addition costs $5,000 to $35,000, whereas modifying and accessorizing a bathroom for universal access costs an average of $9,000.

You can make many modifications to a home for universal accessibility, and which ones you need depends on the accessibility issues of every member of your household.

Some changes are minor and inexpensive, such as leveling doorway transitions, lowering light switches, and installing grab bars and emergency call buttons, while others are more extensive and include widening hallways, building home additions and remodeling whole rooms.

DIY vs. Hire a Home Safety Pro

For some simple tasks, such as installing a basic fire alarm, adding grab rails or exterminating a few bugs, you can save money by performing the tasks yourself—if you have the time and the skills. However, always call a pro for more complex projects or anything that significantly impacts your family’s safety. Saving a few bucks isn't worth the risk when it comes to safety.

FAQ

Do you need an electrician to install a fire alarm?

For battery-operated fire alarms, no, you don't need an electrician. However, you do need an electrician to install hard-wired fire alarms, C02 detectors, and fire detection systems. Hire a local electrician that meets your state’s licensing requirements to ensure a safe, trustworthy installation that meets local building codes.

Do I need permits for universal accessibility modifications?

It depends on the modifications you make. If you're installing grab bars or a shower seat, then no, you won't need a permit. If you're making structural changes to the property or having any modifications to electrical work or plumbing, then you most likely will need a permit. Talk to your contractor about the necessary permits and find out whether they're handling those as part of the project fee.

How can I stop pests coming back?

The best way to stop pests from coming back is to seal up their entry points and make your property as inhospitable as possible. To achieve this, make sure you get rid of any trash around your property and remove food waste. Pick up fallen fruit and leaves and keep the yard well-maintained.