Every Building Owner's Got a Story About the High Cost of Mold
Updated: Feb 10, 2022
Nearly every commercial construction or property management firm has a horror
story about:
mold-related project delays,
costly mold remediation & containment measures,
displaced residents, or
the high cost of materials replacement due to mold or water damage.
Wood-frame construction is at high risk for costly mold problems. Costs can be especially high when a problem occurs during construction.
Whether the cause is a poor roof design, a broken pipe, or a window left open, mold can spread quickly in new construction, causing a high tally of delay, clean up & repair costs. Based on KEM client General Conditions, the following cost estimates illustrate impacts for an average multifamily building (250 units):
Mold containment: $100,000
Materials lost due to mold contamination: $100,000
1-week work delay: $40,000
1-month work delay: $120,000
We've learned that quick detection and management is essential to keeping response costs low. That's why we recommend proactive inspections to identify water concerns before a project is threatened due to mold.
Inspect | conduct visual, air, IR camera testing for moisture & mold
Contain & remediate | design & manage effort to reduce spread of mold
Train | equip clients to spot danger signs & act quickly if moisture is detected
Certify | provide clearance testing & Mold-Free Certification
Our proactive clients eliminate the risk of costly problems by keeping maintenance, renovation & construction projects ON-BUDGET & ON-SCHEDULE.
This is a great reminder that mold problems can become extremely expensive when water damage is not addressed quickly. Early moisture detection and prompt water extraction can help prevent mold growth, material loss, and costly project delays. Having a reliable emergency water extraction service available can make a big difference when leaks, flooding, or unexpected water damage occur.
Mold remediation is more than just a cleanup process—it’s a crucial step in protecting both the health of occupants and the financial health of a project. After experiencing unexpected delays and high costs due to mold during construction, we’ve realized how quickly a small moisture issue can escalate. That’s why we now prioritize proactive inspections and early detection on every job site.