Mold Inspection Cost By City: 2026 Pricing Guide For NYC, LA, Tampa, Orlando, San Jose, Atlanta, And More

Many people look up how much a mold inspection costs. They want to get a clear answer right away.

The hard part is that the words “mold inspection” can talk about two different things.

One is a quick walk-through that turns into a remediation estimate.

The other is an independent inspection that checks moisture, defines scope, and gives you a written report you can use.

This guide gives you real price ranges for each city. It explains what makes the prices go up or down. You can use it to compare quotes without feeling pushed or rushed.

Key Highlights

• Pricing is driven by time on site, how many areas are checked, and whether sampling is included.

• A good inspection includes a visual assessment plus moisture checks. Testing is added only when it changes a decision.

• Air testing is charged for each sample. Most homes need at least one sample from outside and one from inside.

• New York and Florida separate assessment from remediation, which helps reduce conflicts of interest.

• In places with no rules, “free inspections” are often sales pitches.

• The best way to avoid overpaying is to ask what you will receive in writing.

You can book independent mold inspection in your respective cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, San Jose, Atlanta, and Seattle.

Quick City Cost Table

These are the 2025 to 2026 price ranges for residential mold inspections in each city. Costs stay on the lower side when the job is small and you do not need any tests. Costs go up when it is hard to get to the spot, there is more than one area, or tests need to be done.

Commercial inspections often cost more than residential inspections, especially for offices, retail, or multi-tenant spaces.

City-By-City Mold Inspection Cost Ranges

Use these parts to help you see what low and high numbers usually mean in each city. The numbers are important, but how wide the range is matters even more.

New York City Mold Inspection Cost

Typical cost is $500 to $1,200+.

On the low end, this is most often a smaller apartment. There is one main area with a problem. Someone will look at the space closely and check for any moisture to see where things feel damp. In NYC, even a small job can need more time. This is because it is harder to get in and plan the work in co-ops and tall buildings.

Prices go up when work is needed in more than one room. This happens when you need to check for water in walls or ceilings that are next to each other, or when you need stronger papers for your landlord. A big reason for extra cost is when the full problem is not clear. A smell with no mold you can see can mean the team has to look more around pipes, windows, and under roofs.

Fast Mold Testing starts at $498 in New York City.

Los Angeles Mold Inspection Cost

Typical cost is $400 to $1,000+.

Many LA inspections are for a home or condo that has just one clear problem. This could be a stain near a bathroom wall, under a kitchen sink, or by a window. The price for the inspection is for an assessment, not just a test. What makes the cost go up the most is how much time is spent at the place and how many spots need to be checked for moisture.

LA quotes go up when the problem is in more than one spot or when it's not clear where the water comes from. In places near the coast, water that forms near windows and outside walls can show up at some times of the year. During rainy weather, leaks from the roof and windows can make things wet behind the paint even before you see any changes. In dry weather, problems with pipes or AC units can still cause wet spots again and again.

Fast Mold Testing starts at $348 in Los Angeles.

San Jose Mold Inspection Cost

Typical cost is $400 to $1,100+.

San Jose can cost more. This is because it takes more time, people need to report more, and work costs more. At the low end, you will have a small home. There may be one place with a problem and clear entry. The inspection will look for moisture. A report will tell you what to do next.

Quotes go up if a home has more than one area that may have a problem, if there have been leaks before, or when an inspection is part of buying or selling. People often bring up window lines and HVAC closets. Many say, “it was repaired but the smell is back.” In these times, you need to check water damage in more places and write clear records. This helps make sure repairs are not done for no reason.

Fast Mold Testing starts at $348 in San Jose.

Tampa Mold Inspection Cost

Typical cost is $350 to $900+.

At the low end, Tampa inspections are usually for a condo or a smaller home. The issue is often limited to one area, like a bathroom, a closet, or a single ceiling stain from a known leak.

Prices can go up fast after water events. When you have a storm or leak in more than one room, the inspector often needs to check more areas for moisture. Wet materials can sometimes look dry on top. Reports for insurance or for what the contractor will fix can raise costs too. Sometimes, these jobs include sampling for baseline results or post-work verification.

Fast Mold Testing starts at $348 in Tampa.

Orlando Mold Inspection Cost

Typical cost is $350 to $900+.

Orlando has many condos, rentals, and vacation homes. This can change prices because getting in and setting times might take more time. On the low end, you are often working with one main area and you can get in without much trouble.

Quotes can get higher when the problem happens in several rooms, when there are repeat humidity issues in a home, or when the HVAC system causes more moisture. Moisture from condensation and high humidity inside can keep coming back if someone does not check for proper drying and conditions.

Fast Mold Testing starts at $300 in Orlando.

Seattle Mold Inspection Cost

Typical cost is $375 to $950+.

Seattle gets a lot of rain, and this can cause moisture problems in attics, crawl spaces, and the outside parts of buildings. For a small home that has only one place with a problem, and it is easy to get to, the cost usually stays near the low end.

Seattle quotes go up when you need to get into the crawl space. They also rise when more than one level must be checked, or when the inspector needs to look along the ceilings next to the roof and the walls on the outside. Testing may be done if there is a smell but you can’t see mold, or if you need proof after you have cleaned up.

Fast Mold Testing starts at $348 in Seattle.

Atlanta Mold Inspection Cost

Typical cost is $300 to $500+.

Atlanta is not a regulated market. Because of this, quality and prices can be very different from what you get in some other cities. A low quote might mean someone will only do a quick look and give you little paperwork. This may be okay if you have a simple and clear problem. But often, these checks do not find where water is going, and that can lead to problems coming back again.

Atlanta quotes can go up when there is a crawl space. Quotes are also higher when they need to check many rooms for moisture. The price will also rise if an inspection needs a good sampling plan. In Atlanta, companies can offer other services quickly, so extra costs may come up fast. If you see a free or very low-cost “inspection,” it may just be a way to sell you big projects later.

Fast Mold Testing starts at $348 in Atlanta.

What Makes One Quote Higher Than Another

When two quotes are very different, it is often because they are not talking about the same thing.

Step 1: Base checking time. This changes based on the size of the place, how many problem spots there are, and if you can get into the attic, crawl spaces, and areas above the ceiling.

Step 2: Testing add-ons. This step depends on the number of samples you have. It also looks at if the plan checks different zones.

Step 3: Paperwork and speed. When you need things done fast and need lots of photo records, the price can go up. Reports that help you deal with a dispute or with insurance may also cost more.

Before you compare companies, ask these questions:

How long will you be at the site? How many areas does this cover? How many samples will you take, and what kind of samples are they? When will you get the written report, and what will be in it?

Mold Testing Cost And Sample Counts

Testing costs more because labs charge for each sample. Also, it takes time to collect samples the right way.

In many places, the usual price is between $75 and $150 for each air test. Most homes need at least one outdoor test and one indoor test. Bigger homes or buildings often need more than one indoor test, especially when you compare different floors or different areas.

Surface sampling, like using a tape lift or a swab, helps check if a stain is mold. This can be a good way to find out a simple answer when you do not need to know everything that is in the air.

Why Pricing Is Higher In Some States

Rules change pricing. They also change incentives.

In New York, the mold program has rules for getting a license. It also makes sure that the person who checks for mold is not the same one who cleans it up at the same property. This rule can make the cost higher, but it helps reduce conflicts of interest..

In Florida, there are rules for mold services. A person who checks for mold cannot also fix the mold on the same property during a certain time. For more information, visit Florida Mold Related Services FAQs.

In NYC housing, Local Law 55 is important because when you find mold, you have to fix what is causing it. You cannot just clean up the surface mold. 

In regulated markets, people usually need to pay a fee for inspections. These are not given as “free” offers to get you interested.

How To Get A Fair Quote Fast

If you want good pricing and do not want to make many calls, send a clear intake.

Step 1: Let us know what kind of property it is and about how big it is.

Step 2: Point out where you see the stain or can smell an odor. Tell when it started.

Step 3: Share if there has been any leak before and the date it happened, even if you feel it was “fixed.”

Step 4: Share some photos or a short video of the place.

Step 5: Explain why you need the report. It could be for insurance, to follow up after with your building owner, for a transaction that happened, or just so you feel calm about things.

This helps make the visit the right length. It also helps choose the right amount of sampling, so you do not pay for things you do not need.

How To Avoid “Free Inspection” Upsells

A free inspection can be real, but many times it is just a sales estimate.

Ask this one clear question: do you also do remediation?

Then ask for more details. Will you get a written report about what they find about moisture? How do you choose if there is a need to take samples? How many samples do they take?

Be careful if they say you need a fix before they even check for moisture.

FAQs

How Much Does A Mold Inspection Cost In My City?

In most cities, inspections usually cost between $300 and $1,200 or more. The price changes based on how big the property is, how easy it is to get into, and if testing is part of it. The best way to find out your cost is to tell them the size, the total number of places you want checked, and if you need any sampling done.

What Is Included In A Basic Mold Inspection?

A basic inspection is often someone looking around and checking for moisture nearby and in places where there is a problem. A good inspection will also have photos, clear spots marked, and a short writeup that shows what the moisture sources can be and what you should do next.

How Much Does Mold Testing Cost Per Sample?

Mold testing most often costs between $75 and $150 for each sample. The price can change based on the lab and the type of test you pick. A lot of homes need at least one outdoor sample and one indoor sample for testing.

Do I Need Testing If I Can See Mold?

Not always. If you see mold and can tell where the water is coming from, you should fix the water problem first. You also need to take care of the things that got wet or damaged. You do not always need to test. Testing helps most when you cannot see what's wrong, need proof for something, or want to check if you cleaned up well.

Why Is NYC More Expensive Than Atlanta?

NYC starts out at a higher point because rules are strict there and getting into buildings takes more time. Things in Atlanta are not watched as closely, so it can cost less but you might see a big change in how good things are. No matter if it is NYC or Atlanta, you need to check for water problems and read a clear report. This keeps you safe.

Can A Free Mold Inspection Be Legit?

Sometimes, yes. But a lot of “free inspections” are just ways to give a clean-up or fix cost. If you want an honest answer, ask for a report that shows any water found and what the team checked. Also, ask if the company makes money from the cleanup work too.

Final Word

The lowest-cost inspection can end up costing more in the long run. This can happen if it does not find moisture or if it causes extra work that is not needed.

If you want an independent inspection and a written report, book your city here: New York City, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, San Jose, Atlanta, and Seattle.