Mould removal in the UK typically costs £150 to £3,000+, with the deciding factor being how far the mould has spread and whether the underlying moisture problem needs fixing as well as the visible growth. A single damp patch in a bathroom is a different job — and a different price — to mould that's spread across a bedroom wall because of a structural leak.
Cost by problem size
- Small, isolated patch (surface treatment only): £150–£400. Covers a single affected area, typically in a bathroom or kitchen, where the mould is on a non-porous or lightly porous surface and there's no evidence of an underlying structural issue.
- Extensive remediation: £800–£3,000+. Covers larger areas, mould that has penetrated plaster or other porous materials, and jobs that require removing and replacing affected material (plaster, plasterboard, sometimes flooring) rather than just cleaning the surface.
- Independent damp survey: £200–£400. A RICS or PCA-accredited surveyor identifies the type of damp (condensation, rising, or penetrating) and the root cause, producing a written scope of works. This is the recommended starting point for anything beyond a small, obviously-caused patch — it prevents paying twice for a job that comes back because the real cause wasn't addressed.
Hourly rates, if you're quoted by time rather than job
- Mould removal specialist: roughly £25–£50 per hour
- Damp proofer (for the underlying moisture prevention work): roughly £30–£60 per hour
Most reputable contractors quote a fixed price for the full job after an inspection, rather than an open-ended hourly rate — useful to know if a quote looks unusually low with hourly billing attached.
What actually drives the price up
- Extent of growth — the more surface area affected, the more labour and materials required.
- Type of surface — porous materials (plaster, plasterboard, fabric, untreated wood) often need removing and replacing rather than just cleaning, which costs more than treating a non-porous surface like tile or glass.
- Root cause — condensation mould is usually the cheapest to resolve (ventilation improvements); rising damp and penetrating damp often need structural work (damp-proof course injection, re-pointing, flashing repair) on top of the visible mould treatment.
- Access — mould in awkward spots (behind fitted furniture, in roof voids, in a shared building's party wall) takes longer to treat properly.
- Location — labour rates vary regionally, with London and the South East typically at the higher end.
Why the cheapest quote isn't always the best value
A quote that only covers wiping down and treating the visible mould, without investigating or fixing the moisture source, is solving the symptom rather than the problem. If the underlying cause — usually condensation from poor ventilation, or a damp-proofing failure — isn't addressed, the mould will return, and you'll be paying for the same job again within a year. When comparing quotes, ask specifically whether the price includes identifying and addressing the root cause, not just removing what's currently visible.
When to get an independent survey first
A £200–£400 independent damp survey is worth it whenever:
- The mould keeps returning after cleaning
- It covers more than a small, single area
- There's no obvious explanation (e.g. it's not confined to a poorly-ventilated bathroom)
- You're a landlord needing a written report for Awaab's Law compliance evidence, or a homeowner arranging insurance or a property sale
For a small, clearly-explained patch — say, mould in the corner of a shower enclosure with no ventilation fan — going straight to treatment is reasonable and a survey may not be necessary.
Find a quote for your specific job
Costs vary by contractor, region, and the exact scope of work needed. The most reliable way to get an accurate price is a written quote following an in-person or photo-based assessment, from a specialist covering your area.
Find a verified specialist
Ready to act? Search for qualified mould and damp specialists in your area.
Search the directory →Frequently Asked Questions
- Is mould removal covered by insurance?
- Usually only if the mould results from a sudden, insured event — a burst pipe or storm damage — reported promptly. Most standard buildings and contents policies exclude mould caused by gradual issues like long-term condensation or lack of maintenance, since insurers treat these as preventable. Always check your policy wording and speak to your insurer before assuming cover applies.
- Do I need a damp survey before getting mould removed, or can I go straight to treatment?
- For a small, isolated patch with an obvious cause (e.g. a bathroom with poor extraction), you can often go straight to treatment. For anything recurring, spreading, or without an obvious cause, an independent damp survey first is the better value — it identifies the actual source of moisture, so you're not paying to treat the same patch again in six months.
- Why do quotes for the same job vary so much between contractors?
- The biggest driver is scope: some quotes cover surface treatment only, others include the underlying fix (re-ventilation, re-plastering, damp-proofing) that stops it coming back. A cheaper quote that only treats the visible mould is not necessarily better value. Ask exactly what's included before comparing prices.
- Is it cheaper to remove mould myself first and only call a specialist if it comes back?
- For a small patch on a non-porous surface (tiles, glass, painted wood), yes — a DIY clean with appropriate PPE and a mould-specific product is reasonable. But if it returns, or if it's on a porous surface like plaster or fabric, repeated DIY cleaning usually costs more in the long run than a single proper remediation, because it doesn't address the moisture source.
- Does mould removal cost more in London than elsewhere in the UK?
- Generally yes, in line with the wider difference in trade labour rates across the UK. The scope of the job (surface treatment vs. full remediation) usually affects the price more than location does, though.