Mold remediation cost: by the size of the moldy area, with the containment EPA calls for
A wall section, 50 sq ft: about $1,100 to $1,500, typically $1,250. That's moldy drywall cut out and bagged, the framing HEPA vacuumed and treated, and at larger sizes containment and air scrubbers, as EPA's remediation guide lays out, plus the contractor's overhead, profit and sales tax. Fixing the moisture and putting the wall back are extra.
Anthony Hicks30+ years in construction. Updated November 5, 2026.
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What it costs
| Job | Cost |
|---|---|
| A small area, 10 sq ft | $200 to $325 |
| A wall section, 50 sq ft | $1,100 to $1,500 |
| A room's walls, 200 sq ft | $3,000 to $4,100 |
About $22.25 to $30.00 a sq ft of moldy drywall, everything in.
Totals include the contractor's overhead and profit (20%) and the state's average sales tax. Prices as of November 2026.
What’s in these numbers
Each size is priced the way a restoration contractor’s estimate is priced, with the work EPA’s remediation guide calls for at that size:
| Job | Containment | Air scrubbers | Technician hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A small area, 10 sq ft | None | None | 2 |
| A wall section, 50 sq ft | One layer of 6 mil poly around the area | 2 days | 6 |
| A room’s walls, 200 sq ft | Double poly with an airlock | 3 days | 12 |
At every size: the moldy drywall cut out, cleaned up and bagged; the exposed framing HEPA vacuumed and treated with an anti-microbial; the contractor’s overhead and profit (20%); and sales tax on the materials at the state’s average rate.
Not in them: finding and fixing the moisture, a mold test or clearance test, moldy insulation, flooring or cabinets, putting new drywall back and painting it, and after-hours work. The drywall repair cost guide prices the rebuild.
What EPA’s guide says by size
- Under about 10 square feet: a small job; EPA’s homeowner guide says most people can handle an area that size themselves, following its cleanup guidelines.
- 10 to 100 square feet: limited containment: a single layer of 6 mil fire-retardant polyethylene around the moldy area, a slit entry with a flap, and the area kept under negative pressure with a HEPA-filtered fan.
- Over 100 square feet: full containment: double layers of polyethylene and an airlock or decontamination chamber for going in and out.
Materials that can’t be saved are double-bagged in 6 mil polyethylene, and HEPA vacuums clean up the dust inside and outside the work area (EPA).
Fix the water first
Mold grows where there’s moisture. EPA’s advice is to fix the water problem, dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours, and keep indoor humidity below 60%. If the damage came from sewage or other contaminated water, call in a professional. The water damage restoration guide covers the drying.
What moves the price
- The size. Containment and air filtration start at about 10 square feet and grow with the area.
- What’s moldy. Insulation, subfloor, cabinets and carpet come out on top of the drywall.
- Hidden mold. Mold behind walls or in a crawl space is found and opened up first.
- Testing. Sampling before or clearance testing after is a separate charge.
- Where you live. Pick your state in the box above.
Common questions
How much does mold remediation cost for a small area?
About $200 to $325 for about 10 square feet of moldy drywall, typically $250.
How much for a wall?
About $1,100 to $1,500 for a 50 sq ft wall section with limited containment, typically $1,250.
How much for a whole room?
About $3,000 to $4,100 for 200 square feet of walls with full containment, typically $3,400, before the rebuild.
Does insurance cover mold remediation?
When mold follows a covered loss, such as a sudden pipe burst, a homeowner’s policy may pay to remove it; the policy’s terms and any limit on mold say how much.