Mold in the home is not a harmless blemish. It can irritate the respiratory tract, exacerbate allergies, damage materials, and—depending on the humidity—spread rapidly. While small, clearly defined areas can sometimes be cleaned yourself, larger or recurring infestations often require the services of a specialist company. This involves not only removing the visible stains, but also analyzing the causes, ensuring safe remediation, and implementing sustainable prevention measures. In this guide, you will find a realistic cost estimate, a classification of common cleaning methods, and clear criteria for determining which measures are appropriate in each case.
Removing mold: What are the costs involved?
The price range for mold removal is wide—because no two situations are the same. A small infestation in a joint is completely different from damp exterior walls, mold behind furniture, or damage after a leak. The most important factors are how deep the fungus has penetrated the material
and whether additional structural causes (e.g., thermal bridges, leaks) need to be remedied.
Average total costs - per measure
Mold assessment (approx. $350–700)
An assessment helps to clearly identify the cause: moisture measurements, evaluation of the extent of the infestation, and recommendations for further action. It is particularly worthwhile if the infestation is larger than the palm of your hand, recurs multiple times, or you are unsure where the moisture is coming from. This prevents you from just cleaning the "symptoms" and the
mold reappearing later.
Simple mold removal (approx. $400–1,000)
Chemical or mechanical cleaning is often used for superficial infestations.
Chemical methods often cost between CHF 400 and CHF 1,000 (depending on the area/working time) and are a common solution for typical surface problems.
Mechanical methods (e.g., sanding) often cost between CHF 500 and CHF 1,500 and are
usedwhen surfaces are more severely affected or more thorough cleaning is required. This option is usually sufficient if the mold is not deep and the cause is clear and easy to remedy.
Deep cleaning (approx. $1,500–3,000)
If mold penetrates porous materials such as plaster, wood, or joints, wiping is not enough. Deep cleaning involves the systematic removal of affected layers so that no spores remain in the material. This is particularly important if the infestation recurs or
the building components have absorbed moisture.
Complete mold remediation (from approx. $4,000)
In cases of severe infestation, reconstruction is often necessary after removal: new plaster, paint, joints, and in some cases floor coverings or damaged components. The costs increase significantly depending on the extent of the damage. Comprehensive remediation is particularly necessary if the cause is structural—for example, due to thermal bridges, defective window connections, moisture penetration, pipe leaks, or a permanently incorrect indoor climate.
Practical cost examples
Beispiel 1: Badschimmel plus zwei Fensterrahmen (ca. 500 –1’500 CHF)
Schimmel im Bad entsteht häufig durch anhaltend hohe Feuchtigkeit. Sind zusätzlich Fensterrahmen betroffen, wird oft im Bad eine chemische Reinigung durchgeführt und an den Rahmen mechanisch gearbeitet (z. B. Anschleifen, Nachbehandlung, ggf. Versiegelung). Typische Kostenpunkte sind Arbeitszeit, Schutzmassnahmen/Abdecken, Mittel und eventuelle Nachbehandlung. Wenn kein Bauschaden dahintersteckt, bleibt es meist in einem moderaten Rahmen.
Beispiel 2: Tiefer Befall in einer 4,5-Zimmer-Wohnung (ca. 3’500–6’000 CHF)
Bei mehreren Räumen oder tief sitzendem Schimmel liegen häufig Ursachen wie schlecht gedämmte Aussenwände oder verdeckte Feuchtigkeit im Bauteil vor. Dann reichen Reinigungsarbeiten allein nicht: Betroffene Flächen müssen teilweise abgetragen, neu verputzt und gestrichen werden.
Je nach Situation kommen weitere Arbeiten hinzu (z. B. Bodenersatz, Massnahmen an Aussenwand/Fassade). Ein Gutachten ist in solchen Fällen sinnvoll, damit die Ursache dauerhaft behoben wird.
What factors influence the cost of mold removal?
Depth of infestation
Superficial areas are much easier to treat. If the mold is embedded in the material, the effort involved quickly increases—up to and including renovation.
Size of the affected area and number of rooms More square meters mean more working time, more protective measures, and often additional steps (e.g., drying). Multiple rooms significantly increase the effort and logistics involved.
Accessibility, components, and substrate
Accessibility, components, andsubstrate
Mold behind cabinets, in paneling, or in tight spaces is more difficult to treat. The material also plays a role: wood, plaster, concrete, and silicone react differently and require appropriate methods.
Cause: Construction problem or ventilation behavior
If there is a structural defect, simply removing the mold is only part of the job—and usually not the most expensive part. If the problem is purely related to ventilation or heating, the solution is often less expensive, provided that action is taken in good time.
Method: chemical, mechanical, or deep cleaning Chemical cleaning is often the cheapest option, while mechanical methods are more labor-intensive. Deep cleaning is necessary if the material is affected – and is correspondingly more demanding.
Follow-up work such as painting, plastering, replacing flooring
After removal, surfaces often need to be restored.
In severe cases, this work accounts for a significant portion of the total cost.
Remove mold yourself or call a professional?
When you can treat small areas yourself
DIY is generally only advisable for small, superficial stains (no larger than the palm of your hand). Typical examples are spots on window frames, joints, or in the bathroom. It is important that the substrate is intact and there are no signs of deep moisture penetration. Alcohol (70–80%), suitable mold cleaners, or bleach are often used for this purpose—always wear gloves, ensure good ventilation, and avoid stirring up the spores unnecessarily.
Please note: If the spot reappears after a short time, there is usually a moisture problem behind it. In this case, DIY may be a short-term "clean" solution, but it is not a permanent one.
When you should definitely call in a specialist company
Professional help is advisable (and often necessary) if:
- the area is larger than the palm of your hand
- the mold looks fuzzy/dark or smells strong
- the mold is in corners, on walls, behind furniture, or in masonry
- the infestation recurs
- there has been water damage or the basement is permanently damp
- children, elderly people, or people with respiratory problems live in the household
-> Unclear cause + large area = it is better not to experiment, but to tackle the cause and remediation professionally.
Time and cost comparison: DIY vs.professional
DIY usually costs only $20–40 for cleaning products and takes around 30–60 minutes – but only for small areas. A specialist company is significantly more expensive (removal often costs CHF 1,500–3,000, assessment CHF 350–700), but ideally solves the cause and infestation. In terms of time, you are often finished faster because
analysis, removal, and necessary remediation can often be organized within 1–2 days – instead of recurring cleaning rounds.
Professional mold removal process
A specialist company works in a structured manner so that not only the visible areas disappear, but the damage is permanently resolved. Typical procedure:
1. Assessment and moisture measurement
The location of the moisture and the extent of the infestation are checked—e.g., with measuring devices, hygrometers, or thermography.
2. Cause analysis/assessment
Based on the measurements,it is determined whether structural defects, leaks, thermal bridges, or incorrect ventilation are the cause. This results in a renovation plan.
3. Protective measures in theroom
The work area is separated to prevent spores from spreading to other areas. Covers, dust barriers, and air purifiers are standard depending on the situation.
4. Removal depending on the method
- Chemical for surface areas
- Mechanical (grinding/removal) for heavier contamination
- Deep cleaning for damp or heavily infested materials
The aim is complete removal – not just visual improvement.
5. Technicaldrying
Damp components are dried to prevent mold from forming again.
6. Repair of surfaces
If necessary, plaster, paint, floors, or joints are renewed
until the room is fully usable again.
7. Recommendations for prevention
Finally, there are specific tips on how to prevent mold in the future –
e.g., ventilation and heating behavior or structural optimizations (if necessary).
Conclusion: How to deal with mold correctly
Mold is a health and building hazard—and should be dealt with consistently depending on its extent.
You can clean small, superficial areas yourself under safe conditions. However, as soon as the infestation is larger, deeper, or recurring, there is no way around professional analysis and remediation. Specialist companies not only remove the visible mold, but also ensure that the cause does not remain – and that is exactly what determines a sustainable solution.
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