Los Angeles County · Independent mold testing & remediation
Mold Inspection and Remediation in Los Angeles, Done Honestly
We find the moisture behind the mold, test with an accredited outside lab, and tell you what the fix costs before any work starts. Sometimes the honest answer is that you can clean it yourself. When it isn’t, our remediation is checked by an independent clearance test, so you know it’s actually gone.
- Emergency24/7 response
- CoverageAll of Los Angeles County
- PricingQuote before any work starts
- StandardANSI/IICRC S520
- Call(213) 659-0672
Why people call us
Why do people in Los Angeles call us?
Most calls start with one of these. If any sound familiar, start with an inspection: you’ll know what you’re dealing with, where the water is coming from, and what it will take to fix.
A smell that won’t go away
A musty, earthy odor in a closet, bathroom or bedroom, often with no mold in sight.
Spots that keep coming back
You’ve cleaned the ceiling or window frame three times, and it returns every winter.
A leak or a storm
A burst pipe, a slab leak, a roof that let go in an atmospheric river, or a failed water heater.
A landlord who painted over it
Paint doesn’t fix mold, and California law treats visible mold as a substandard housing condition.
A home sale
An escrow inspection flagged moisture or staining, and the contingency clock is running.
A quote that seems too high
You were told the job is $20,000 and want a second opinion before you sign anything.
Inspection & testing
Mold inspection and testing in Los Angeles
A good inspection answers three questions: Is there a mold problem? Where is the moisture coming from? How far has it spread?
- Visual inspection of the problem area and the rooms around it, including under sinks, behind appliances, attics and crawl spaces we can reach.
- Moisture mapping with moisture meters and thermal (infrared) imaging, to find wet drywall, framing and subfloors you can’t see.
- Air sampling with spore traps inside and an outdoor control sample, so indoor results are compared with normal outdoor levels that day.
- Surface sampling (tape lift or swab) when we need to confirm what a visible growth is.
- A written report with photos, moisture readings, lab results and a plain-English recommendation, usually within a few business days.
Do I actually need mold testing?
Not always. If you can see a small patch of mold and you know why it’s there, the CDC doesn’t recommend routine sampling to identify the type. Testing is worth it when:
- you smell mold but can’t find it
- there was water damage and you need to know whether mold followed
- you need documentation for a landlord, insurer or home sale
- someone in the home has asthma, allergies or a weakened immune system
- remediation is finished and you want proof it worked
Is it black mold?
Color can’t tell you. Many molds look black, and Stachybotrys chartarum can only be confirmed by a lab. Any mold growing indoors should be removed the same careful way, whatever its species.
Remediation
Mold remediation and removal in Los Angeles
Mold remediation means removing mold growth safely and fixing the conditions that let it grow, without spreading spores through the rest of your home. Wiping or spraying a surface isn’t remediation.
What a proper remediation includes
- Fix or stop the water firstIf the leak or moisture isn’t solved, the mold comes back. We’ll tell you whether you need a plumber or roofer before we start.
- Contain the work areaPlastic sheeting, zipper doors and a HEPA air scrubber keep the room under negative pressure, so spores stay inside the work zone.
- Remove what can’t be cleanedMoldy drywall, insulation and carpet are cut out and bagged. Solid framing is cleaned by HEPA vacuuming, wire brushing or sanding.
- Clean and dryHEPA vacuuming and damp wiping, then drying until materials are back to normal moisture levels.
- VerifyA visual check, moisture readings and an independent clearance test before containment comes down and rebuilding starts.
Black mold removal
The same contained process, with lab confirmation if you want it.
Mold abatement
Larger or regulated jobs, including homes where asbestos or lead paint may be disturbed.
Crawl space mold
Common under raised-foundation homes in the hills, Silver Lake, Echo Park and Mount Washington.
Water damage mold
After storms, pipe bursts and slab leaks.
Mold & contents cleaning
HEPA cleaning of rooms, furniture and belongings that can be saved.
Commercial mold remediation
Offices, restaurants, retail and multifamily buildings, with after-hours scheduling.
Can I remove mold myself?
Often, yes. The EPA’s guidance is that a homeowner can usually handle an area under about 10 square feet (roughly 3 ft by 3 ft) on a hard surface. Wear an N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles, scrub with detergent and water, dry it completely, and fix the moisture. Call a professional if the area is bigger, the mold is inside walls or HVAC ducts, it followed sewage or dirty water, or someone in the home has health concerns.
Pricing
How much does mold remediation cost in Los Angeles?
Most residential jobs in Los Angeles fall between $1,500 and $6,000. The real number depends on how much material comes out and how hard it is to reach. You’ll get a written price before any work starts.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Mold inspection with moisture mapping | $250–$500 |
| Inspection with air samples (incl. outdoor control) | $400–$800 |
| Each additional air or surface sample | $75–$150 |
| Small remediation (under a sink, one wall section) | $500–$1,500 |
| Standard remediation (bathroom, closet, room section) | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Large or structural remediation | $10,000–$30,000+ |
| Clearance testing after remediation | $300–$600 |
Typical industry ranges for the Los Angeles area. Your written quote depends on the size, access and materials involved.
What drives the price
- Square footage of affected material
- Drywall, insulation or flooring removal versus cleaning in place
- Access: crawl spaces, attics and hillside homes take longer
- Asbestos or lead in pre-1978 homes, tested before anything is disturbed
- Containment level and equipment days
- Rebuild: drywall, paint and flooring, if included
Why do mold quotes vary so much?
Because scope varies. One company quotes cleaning a wall; another quotes removing it, plus the ceiling, plus a week of drying. Ask every company for a written scope: rooms, square footage, materials removed, containment, and how success will be measured. If a quote has no clearance test, ask why.
Local conditions
Why do Los Angeles homes get mold?
Los Angeles is dry most of the year, which is exactly why mold here surprises people. It isn’t humidity across the whole city. It’s water in specific places.
The marine layer
In Santa Monica, Venice, Playa del Rey and San Pedro, May Gray and June Gloom keep the air damp for weeks. Closets on exterior walls, bathroom ceilings and window frames are the usual spots.
Winter storms
Most of LA’s rain falls between November and March, often in a few heavy atmospheric-river storms. Forecasters expect a very strong El Niño this winter (2026–27).
Hillside & canyon homes
In Laurel Canyon, the Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz near Griffith Park and Mount Washington, raised foundations, shade and slope runoff create damp crawl spaces.
Valley heat
In Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, North Hollywood and Encino, air conditioners run hard. Clogged condensate lines, sweating ducts and slab leaks cause most of what we find.
Older apartments
Many buildings in Koreatown, Westlake, Hollywood and Boyle Heights were built before 1978, often without bathroom fans and with aging plumbing.
Fire recovery
In Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Malibu, homes that survived the January 2025 fires took in firefighting water and sat closed for months.
Service area
Areas we serve in Los Angeles County
Not sure if we cover your street? Call (213) 659-0672 or check your ZIP.
For renters
Renting? Here’s who to call about mold
You don’t need to hire anyone to get your landlord’s attention. In California, visible mold growth can make a unit substandard under Health & Safety Code 17920.3, and local inspectors can order the owner to fix it. The inspection is free.
| If your apartment is in… | Call |
|---|---|
| The City of Los Angeles (incl. Hollywood, Koreatown, the Valley, San Pedro, Venice) | LA Housing Department, Code & Rent Helpline: (866) 557-7368 |
| Unincorporated LA County, or a city that uses County health inspectors | LA County Public Health, Environmental Health: (888) 700-9995 or online complaint form |
| Long Beach | Long Beach Code Enforcement: (562) 570-2633 |
| Pasadena | Pasadena Code Compliance: (626) 744-8633 |
| Santa Monica | Santa Monica Code Enforcement: (310) 458-4984 |
| Glendale or Torrance | Your city’s code enforcement office (the County doesn’t enforce housing standards there) |
Typical industry ranges for the Los Angeles area. Your written quote depends on the size, access and materials involved.
Before you call
- Tell your landlord in writing (email or letter) and keep a copy. Use our free notice letter template.
- Take dated photos with something in the frame for scale.
- Write down when it started, what you’ve reported, and any health symptoms.
Your rights in short
California law protects tenants who complain to a landlord or a government agency from retaliation, including eviction, rent increases or reduced services, and presumes retaliation for 180 days after a protected complaint (Civil Code 1942.5), as long as the tenant is current on rent. Withholding rent is risky. Talk to a tenant lawyer or legal aid, such as Bet Tzedek, before you try it.
General information, not legal advice.
Homeowners
Insurance, home sales and older houses
Does homeowners insurance cover mold in California? Usually only when the mold follows a sudden, accidental water event like a burst pipe, and many policies cap mold coverage. Slow leaks and long-term moisture are often excluded. Document everything before cleanup starts; we provide photos, moisture readings and lab results your adjuster can use.
Buying or selling? We schedule escrow inspections around your contingency deadline and write reports both sides can read. Real estate mold inspections.
Living in a pre-1978 home? Old joint compound, popcorn ceilings and flooring can contain asbestos, and paint can contain lead. These need testing before anything is cut or sanded. Mold & asbestos testing.
Wildfire recovery
After the 2025 wildfires: smoke, water and mold
If your home survived the Palisades or Eaton fire, you may be dealing with two separate problems. Smoke and ash can leave lead, asbestos and other contaminants. Mold comes from firefighting water, broken windows and months of closed-up rooms.
On September 15, 2026, Governor Newsom signed AB 1795, which requires insurers to pay for lead and asbestos testing and remediation in smoke-damaged homes in wildfire areas, and bars them from ending additional living expenses until the home is safe. AB 1642 directs state agencies to set California’s first standards for testing and cleaning smoke-contaminated homes.
We test for mold and moisture. Wildfire smoke, fire-water & mold.
Hiring advice
How do I choose a mold company in Los Angeles?
California doesn’t issue a state license for mold inspectors, so credentials and independence matter more here than in most trades. Before you hire anyone, check:
- Is the remediator licensed? In California, any job over $1,000 in labor and materials combined, or any job that needs a permit, requires a CSLB contractor license. Look it up at cslb.ca.gov.
- Who certified the inspector? Look for named credentials such as ACAC or IICRC, not just “certified.”
- Is the lab accredited? Ask which lab runs the samples and whether it’s AIHA-LAP accredited.
- Is the tester independent? Be careful when the company that finds the mold also profits from removing it. At minimum, clearance testing should be done by someone else.
- Is the scope in writing? Rooms, square footage, materials removed, containment, drying and clearance criteria.
- Do they fix the cause? If nobody mentions the moisture source, the mold will be back.
Red flags
“Toxic black mold” scare talk before any testing, spray-only treatments for growth inside walls, pressure to sign the same day, and no written clearance criteria. Mold remediation scams and red flags.
Before you hire anyone
What should you check before hiring a mold company in Los Angeles?
California doesn’t license mold inspectors, so it’s on you to ask the right questions. Whoever you hire, including us, should be able to answer yes to every one of these.
- License: remediation work over $1,000 needs a CSLB-licensed contractor. Ask for the number and look it up at cslb.ca.gov.
- Insurance: ask for proof of general liability insurance before anyone opens a wall.
- Lab: air and surface samples should go to an AIHA-LAP accredited lab, with the lab report included.
- Standards: the work plan should follow ANSI/IICRC S520 and EPA mold remediation guidance.
- Independence: clearance testing should be done by someone other than the company that removed the mold.
- Written scope: you should get a written scope and price before work starts, not after.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mold inspection cost in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles, a basic inspection with moisture mapping typically runs $250–$500. With air samples, most homes run $400–$800, depending on how many areas need sampling. You’ll get the price before we schedule.
How long does mold remediation take?
Small jobs usually take one to two days. A bathroom or bedroom typically takes two to five days including drying. Larger jobs can take a week or more. Lab results for clearance testing add one to three business days.
Can I stay in my home during mold remediation?
Usually, yes. The work area is sealed off and kept under negative pressure. If the affected area is large, near bedrooms, or someone in the home has asthma or a weakened immune system, we may recommend staying elsewhere until clearance.
Is black mold dangerous?
Any indoor mold can trigger a stuffy nose, wheezing, itchy eyes or skin irritation, especially in people with allergies or asthma, according to the CDC. People with weakened immune systems face more serious risks. Black-colored mold isn’t automatically more dangerous than other molds, but all indoor growth should be removed carefully.
Do I need a mold test before remediation?
Not always. If the mold is visible and the cause is known, testing won’t change the fix. Testing helps when mold is hidden, when you need documentation, or when health concerns are involved. Clearance testing after remediation is always worth it.
Will bleach kill mold?
Bleach can clean mold off hard, non-porous surfaces, but it won’t fix mold in drywall, wood or carpet, and it does nothing about the moisture causing it. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
Who is responsible for mold in a rental in California?
Landlords must keep rentals habitable, and visible mold can make a unit substandard under California law. Tenants are expected to report problems promptly and help prevent everyday moisture build-up, like running bathroom fans. If your landlord won’t act, call the agency for your city listed above.
Does homeowners insurance cover mold?
Often only when it results from a sudden, covered water event, and usually up to a set limit. Mold from slow leaks or long-term humidity is commonly excluded. Check the mold and water damage sections of your policy.
How do I know remediation worked?
Ask for a clearance test before the containment comes down: a visual check, moisture readings within normal range, and air samples compared with an outdoor control, ideally done by someone other than the company that did the removal.
Will mold come back after remediation?
Not if the moisture source is fixed. Most repeat mold jobs trace back to a leak or a ventilation problem nobody addressed the first time.
Do you handle commercial buildings and apartment complexes?
Yes. We work with property managers, HOAs and business owners on offices, restaurants and multifamily buildings, including jobs tied to LAHD or County Public Health inspections. Commercial services.
Do you offer emergency service?
Yes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For active leaks and water damage, call (213) 659-0672 any time, day or night.
Ready to find out what you’re dealing with?
Call (213) 659-0672 or book online. We’ll ask a few questions, tell you whether you need us at all, and if you do, give you a price before we come out.
Serving Los Angeles County · Open 24/7 · (213) 659-0672