How Much Does Mold Inspection Cost in 2025?

Mold Inspection Cost Factors

As you begin your research on mold inspections, you'll quickly find that flat rates aren't the norm. Several factors can affect your final cost, including your home size, location accessibility, and the mold type you're potentially dealing with.

Mold Testing 

Onsite mold testing costs around $100 to $250. To conduct a test, inspectors will take air or surface samples in the home to find out if there's mold. Mold testing is necessary because it confirms the presence of mold in your home and identifies what type of mold is there and how many mold spores are in the air, which all make a difference when it's time for remediation. 

Lab Testing 

Some mold inspectors may also do lab testing, which costs approximately $400 to $500. In this case, the inspector will gather several pieces of household material and physically take them to an independent lab for testing. Instead of examining swabs under a microscope, the lab can examine tangible items from inside your home. Depending on the type and number of different collection methods used, lab testing of mold samples can add additional costs:

Size of the Home 

Like most service-oriented jobs, you'll have to factor in the size of your home into the cost of your mold inspection. Mold inspection costs can range from $250 to $1,100. The more ground an inspector has to cover, the more you can expect to pay for the inspection.

Mold Location and Accessibility 

Mold is usually visible, and in most cases, you'll see it if there's mold in your house. In some cases, however, it may take more work for the inspector to confirm their suspicions if the inspector suspects mold growth in an inaccessible space of your home. From removing drywall to uninstalling paneling to get a better look, hard-to-access spaces may cost at least $700 to inspect. Ultimately, the more your mold inspector has to do to complete the inspection, the higher the inspection cost.

Size of Mold Contamination

The extent of the mold contamination can determine the overall project price, with larger contamination zones costing at least $700—the more the inspector has to identify, the more you'll have to pay. 

Mold Type 

Inspecting all types of mold can range from $450 to $800 or more. While all mold inside the home is unwanted, black mold is the most toxic, so much so that it’s considered a neurotoxin or a poison that attacks your nervous system. If your mold inspector suspects there’s black mold in the home, the cost of your inspection may be even higher because they’ll have to take more care and use protective equipment to conduct the assessment. 

Other types of mold that may require testing and remediation include: 

Signs You Have Mold in Your Home

If you suspect mold in your home, look for the following telltale signs of a problem. 

Moldy/Damp Odors

Bathrooms, basements, closets, and other wet areas are popular hangouts for mold. It could be a sign of a more significant issue if you smell a musty odor coming from any of these spots. 

Visible Mold Spores

Mold is usually visible. In some cases, mold will look white and fluffy or thread-like; in others, you might see clusters of small black spots. Remember that it can also be gray, green, orange, pink, or even purple.

Previous Water Damage

Old water damage and long-term exposure to moisture will lead to mold. If you see water stains or discolorations on walls or ceilings or if you notice bubbling or cracking paint, you could be dealing with water damage that’s well on its way to producing mold if it hasn't done so already. 

Water Leaks 

Remember that anywhere you have moisture, you're likely to have mold. Unfortunately, in the case of water leaks, the evidence of an issue isn't always where you can see it. Damaged floors, sagging ceilings, and strange noises in your plumbing are usually good indicators of a water leak. 

If you're about to purchase a new home, identify any potential water leaks or pay attention to the home inspection report, which may identify the problem. If you know there's a water leak, your next step should undoubtedly be a mold inspection. 

Flooding

Any home with past flooding will almost always have mold issues. In this case, a mold inspection is crucial. The good news is that most states require past flooding to be disclosed early in the real estate transaction so buyers can make an informed decision. 

Persistent Sickness

Chronic mold exposure can lead to several health issues, including skin allergies, nasal congestion, persistent coughs, and an overall uptick in your allergy and asthma symptoms. Typically, asthma and allergy symptoms won't resolve on their own unless you mitigate the mold issue. 

How to Prepare for a Mold Inspection

You can do a few things to prepare for a mold inspection. By taking the following steps, you can ensure an accurate and efficient mold inspection:

• Stop all exterior ventilation: In the 24 to 48 hours preceding the examination, close all windows and keep doors closed. Your standard ventilation methods could affect the results of your samples and tests. 

• Turn off your HVAC system: Be sure to turn off your HVAC system two hours prior (at a minimum) to your inspection time. 

• Turn off any appliances that affect your indoor air: If you have air purifiers, air cleaners, whole-house humidifiers, or dehumidifiers, turn them off 24 to 48 hours before your inspection. These, too, can affect the results of your mold inspection. 

• Pause any cleaning and landscaping projects: Landscaping, vacuuming, dusting, and sweeping can all affect mold readings, so plan accordingly and skip those tasks in the 24 to 48 hours leading up to your inspection. 

• Clear away clutter: Remember that a home inspector will likely be looking into the nooks and crannies of your home where mold likes to live. Give them a hand and expedite the process by clearing away clutter under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms. Ensure pathways to closets, basements, and attics are clear as well. 

Budgeting for a Mold Inspection

Mold inspections are a relatively small expense (especially when compared to the cost of mold remediation), but the ongoing need for inspections can cause expenses to build up. Here are a few ways to reduce the costs of a mold inspection:

• Get an inspection as soon as you suspect there is mold in the home—the longer you wait, the more expensive an inspection will be.

• Bundle a mold inspection with remediation services to lower the costs of both services.

• See if your homeowners' insurance offers coverage for hiring mold testing pros and remediation services.

• Save money by skipping DIY home tests and investing in comprehensive, professional testing.

• Reduce the risk of mold by keeping humidity low in potential problem areas, such as basements and bathrooms.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.