How Much Does Crawl Space Cleaning Cost?

Cost Range for Crawl Space Cleaning & Mold Removal

Most homeowners pay between $675 and $3,200 for crawl space cleaning. The nasty job entails removing accumulated debris plus any insulation damaged by moisture or mold. Then all surfaces are cleaned and disinfected. If surface mold is found, it is killed, and all surfaces are treated to prevent its return. During the process, the crawl space is inspected for needed repairs. Crawl space cleaning estimates are based on two major factors – total space that needs to be cleaned and how dirty it is.

Average Cost

The average cost of crawl space cleaning is $1,840 for spaces up to about 2,000 square feet. In most cases, the need for mold remediation is light to moderate. When mold and mildew are heavy, the cost soars toward or beyond the high end of the spectrum. If a mold specialist is required, cost can exceed $4,000 for mold removal. Here are the common costs for crawl space cleaning.

Overview of Crawl Space Cleaning

Crawl spaces are at or below grade where moisture levels can be much higher than in the home above, which is most often regulated with an HVAC system. And because crawlspaces are often neglected, issues with dirt accumulation, rodent and insect infestation and dreaded black mold can develop into major issues. When foundation damage allows in water, the environment in the crawl space can become toxic, causing health issues for household members, especially those with allergies or breathing challenges.

Creating a healthy space below your home starts with removing debris and damaged insulation – wet insulation doesn’t do its job, and when it harbors dust and dirt, allows mildew and mold to grow. Next, areas such as floor joists and the floor deck overhead affected by mold are treated to kill the mold. This is called mold remediation or mold removal. Similarly, mold on walls or the concrete slab floor is also treated.

Once crawl space mold has been eradicated as necessary, all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The surfaces might also be treated to prevent the recurrence of mold. A separate project that helps prevent future mold growth is to have the basement sealed.

Often the crawl space cleaning service will make recommendations for keeping the crawl space clean and healthy. They include foundation repairs such as repairing cracks between concrete blocks and using spray foam insulation around windows, vents and other openings. A crawlspace dehumidifier is often recommended for lowering the humidity level. If your home has severe moisture issues, installing a whole house dehumidifier might be required. And a whole house ventilation fan effectively exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air.

If a sump pump isn’t working, replacing the sump pump is essential. And as a long-term solution for crawlspace health, crawl space encapsulation might be recommended.

Cost per square foot plus sample job costs for crawl spaces of various size and condition are given below. Costs from reliable sources plus FAQs are included on this page of Costimates.

Crawlspace Cleaning Cost Factors

How much is crawl space cleaning? The cost range is $675 to $3,200. Your crawl space cleaning price will depend on an inspection of the space and a determination made according to these factors, especially the first three.

• Crawl Space Size – The square footage of the space plus the height of the walls (cubic feet) are considered. Cost is higher for larger spaces, but cost per square foot drops a bit.
• General Dirt Level – A long-neglected crawl space with a buildup of dust, dirt, dead insects, rodent droppings, etc., takes much more time to clean, so cost rises accordingly.
• Mold Removal – Killing mold and preventing its return requires treatments beyond standard cleaners and disinfectants.
• Insulation Removal – Over time, fiberglass insulation in crawl spaces can become wet and moldy. This makes it ineffective in stopping heat loss, and it is also a health hazard. Removing it is time consuming, so increases cost.
• Lighting – When the space is poorly lit, the cleaning crew must bring in its own lighting at an extra cost. This is almost always necessary.
• Access – The harder it is to get into and out of the space, the more it costs to clean it.
• DIY or Pro – Most of the cost of crawl space cleaning is labor, so you can save hundreds or thousands by doing it yourself. However, before you DIY, consider that pros have know-how from doing the job that leads to the best outcome. And sometimes crawl space cleaning companies have access to cleaning agents that can only be obtained with a license. Plus, there are health risks to working in a mold-filled environment.

Cleaning & Mold Removal Cost Details

Cost of Services

If you choose to clean your own crawl space, here are the tools and supplies you’ll need plus costs.

• $50 – $200 | Shop Vacuum with Tool Set
• $24 – $40 | Hanging Work Light
• $20 – $50 | Extension Cord – 50’ to 100’
• $35 – $55 per Gallon | Mold Killer and Preventative
• $24 – $60 | Sprayer
• $8 – $12 | Nylon Scrub Brush
• $6 – $10 | Box of Heavy-duty 39-gallon Trash Bags
• $10 – $40 | Hazmat Suite – Tyvek or similar material
• $6 – $20 | Goggles
• $12 – $18 | Chemical Resistant Gloves

Crawlspace Cleaning Cost by Size and Condition

Crawl space cleaning cost is $675 to $3,200 for most homes. That means that crawl space cleaning cost per square foot is $0.70 to $2.50 depending on its condition. This chart shows common crawlspace sizes and three condition levels.

Light: $0.75 – $1.25 per square foot. Dust, insect debris, light rodent debris, if any. Little or no mold. Some spiders.

Moderate: $1.15 – $2.00 per square foot. Light to moderate mold. Heavy dust and debris. Some insulation removal, such as around vents and other openings where moisture infiltrates.

Heavy: $1.85 – $2.50 per square foot. Significant mold. Removal of all insulation. Heavy dust and debris possibly including rodent droppings. Light to heavy spider infestation.

Crawl Space Size	Cleaning Needed	Total Cost
Up to 1,000 sq. ft.	Light	$600 – $1,250
	Moderate	$775 – $2,000
	Heavy	$1,500 – $2,500
1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft.	Light	$850 – $1,875
	Moderate	$1,250 – $3,000
	Heavy	$2,000 – $3,750
1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft.	Light	$1,275 – $2,500
	Moderate	$1,800 – $4,000
	Heavy	$2,850 – $5,000
2,000 to 2,500 sq. ft.	Light	$1,400 – $2,900
	Moderate	$2,425 – $4,800
	Heavy	$3,700 – $6,250

• Light crawl space cleaning costs $600 – $1,400
• Heavy crawl space cleaning cost is $2,000 to $6,000 based on crawl space size.
• It costs $850 – $2,000 to clean a 1000 square foot crawlspace.
• The cost to clean a 1,500 square foot crawl space is $1,275 – $2,850.
• Mold removal in a crawl space costs $1,750 – $5,000 in most homes.

When black mold is widespread and deeply entrenched in floor joists and framing, black mold removal cost might be a separate estimate item.

To create the healthiest space, consider the cost of crawl space encapsulation at $4,000 or more.

If insulation is removed, replace basement insulation once the space has been cleaned, repaired and moisture issues have been solved.

Tips: If your crawl space contains mold, ductwork running through it likely does too. Consider duct cleaning or in cases where the modl is very bad, HVAC duct replacement, in addition to cleaning the crawl space.

Moisture in your crawl space might be the result of rainwater overflowing your gutters. This would be a good time to clean your gutters or consider gutter replacement if they are in poor condition. If gutters continually fill with leaves, then adding gutter guards will protect your foundation going forward.

Permits, Inspection, and Labor Costs

Permits and/or Inspection Cost

• $0 | This indoor project does not require a permit.

Crawl Space Cleaning Labor Cost

Labor costs are not itemized in most crawlspace cleaning estimates. If costs were broken down by the hour, it would come to $40-$70 per hour for labor.

Cleaning Time

Here are the various wasp extermination methods (and bees or hornets) and the time involved.

• Up to 2 Hours | Inspection, moving cleaning equipment and supplies into the space.
• 1-3 Hours | Removing Insulation, if necessary
•  2-4 Hours | Removing Dirt and Debris – General Cleaning
• 2-4 Hours | Cleaning and Removing Mold from All Surfaces

Related Projects

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DIY or Hire a Pro

There is a list above of the equipment and supplies required to effectively clean a crawl space. This is a dirty job, but it can be done effectively if you DIY with the right tools and supplies (see list above).

Consider a few risk factors first:

• Inhaling mold spores can cause serious allergic reaction or respiratory problems – wear a mask!
• Eradicating mold requires the use of harsh chemical treatments – ventilate the space or use fans to move air.
• Droppings from mice, raccoons and other animals can carry viral and bacterial disease that pose health risks.

Make your decision with those concerns in mind. The savings by DIY can be as high as 85%.