Pricing & Value
Two Service Levels. One Standard of Science.
Coastal Air Assessments offers two distinct service levels designed for different situations. Both are performed by J. Cory King, CIE — FL Licensed Mold Assessor MRSA2944. Both give you expert building science on-site. The difference is depth, instrumentation, and what you receive at the end.
Consulting Walkthrough
$375
One hour on-site. Expert eyes and instruments. No report.
- ✓ Visual inspection of areas of concern
- ✓ Protimeter MMS2 moisture mapping
- ✓ Thermal imaging where warranted
- ✓ Verbal findings and guidance on-site
- × No InstaScope® detection
- × No air or surface sampling
- × No written report
Best for: homeowners who want expert guidance before deciding whether a full assessment is needed.
Full Assessment
$700+
Complete assessment. InstaScope®-guided sampling. Written report.
- ✓ Full visual inspection (1 hour minimum)
- ✓ Protimeter MMS2 moisture mapping
- ✓ Thermal imaging throughout
- ✓ InstaScope® real-time airborne detection
- ✓ Targeted air & surface sampling
- ✓ Accredited independent lab analysis
- ✓ Written report + remediation protocol
Best for: confirmed concerns, insurance claims, real estate transactions, post-remediation verification, and any situation requiring documented findings.
Why the full assessment starts at $700
A professional mold assessment requires time on-site to do correctly — a minimum of one hour for even a small residential property. Most competitors are in and out in 15 minutes, charge $500 with three samples “included,” then over-sample to pad the invoice — sometimes billing $2,000 or more in unnecessary laboratory fees. The science does not support that approach.
At Coastal Air Assessments, InstaScope® real-time airborne detection is used first to identify exactly where elevated particle concentrations exist in the building. Samples are then placed precisely where the data indicates — not scattered throughout the home to generate volume. This approach produces a more defensible report, fewer unnecessary samples, and a more accurate picture of what is actually present.
Additional cost factors
- Property size: A 1,000 sq ft condo requires less time and fewer samples than a 4,000 sq ft single-family home.
- Number of sampling locations: Every assessment includes at minimum one interior air sample plus an outdoor control. Multiple areas of concern, multiple stories, or multiple HVAC systems may warrant additional samples. Each sample has a laboratory analysis cost.
- Scope of concern: A targeted assessment of a single area with visible growth differs in scope from a comprehensive whole-house assessment following significant water damage.
- Specialized testing: ERMI testing, culture analysis for species-level identification, mycotoxin testing, or borescope inspection of wall cavities are added only when the specific situation warrants them.
- Post-remediation verification: A PRV assessment is a separate engagement from the initial assessment, performed after remediation is complete. Typically $300–$500 depending on scope.
What is included in the cost
- Comprehensive visual inspection of all accessible areas
- Systematic moisture mapping using Protimeter MMS2
- Thermal imaging where warranted
- InstaScope® direct-to-result airborne particle detection
- Air sampling at agreed-upon locations including outdoor control, analyzed by accredited independent laboratory
- Surface sampling (tape lift or swab) where visible growth is observed
- Certified lab analysis with chain-of-custody documentation
- Written assessment report with methodology, findings, laboratory data, moisture source analysis, and recommendations
What is not included and why it matters: Coastal Air Assessments does not perform or refer mold remediation. Our assessment fee covers the assessment and reporting. There is no follow-up sales call. There is no financial relationship with any remediation company.
Why free mold inspections cost more in the end
Free mold inspections are offered almost exclusively by companies that also perform mold remediation. The inspection cost is recovered through the remediation contract. This structure creates a direct financial incentive to identify larger contamination scopes and recommend more extensive work than the findings may actually justify.
In practical terms: a homeowner who receives a free inspection followed by a $12,000 remediation quote has effectively paid $12,000 for the inspection. A homeowner who pays $450 for an independent assessment and then receives a $6,000 bid — scoped against an independent report — has spent $6,450 for the same or better outcome with defensible documentation.
Florida law recognizes this conflict. Under §468.8419 of the Florida Statutes, the same company is prohibited from performing both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same property within 12 months — reflecting the legislature’s recognition of the built-in incentive problem.
How to evaluate any mold inspection quote
- Does the assessor hold an active Florida Mold Assessor License (MRSA prefix), verifiable through the DBPR?
- Does the quote include laboratory analysis by an accredited independent laboratory?
- Does the assessor also perform remediation, or are they independently structured?
- Does the quote include a written report with laboratory data and findings?
- What professional credentials does the assessor hold beyond the state license?
A professional assessment that answers yes to all of the above at $450 is a better value than a free inspection that fails most of them and then produces a $10,000 remediation scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a mold inspection cost in Palm Beach County?
Most residential mold assessments in Palm Beach County range from $300 to $600 depending on property size, number of sampling areas, and overall scope. Coastal Air Assessments provides a clear quote before scheduling. Call (561) 400-0929 to discuss your specific property.
How much does post-remediation verification cost?
PRV assessments typically range from $300 to $500 depending on the scope of remediation and number of clearance sampling locations required. PRV is a separate assessment from the initial assessment, scheduled after all remediation work is complete and containment has been removed.
Why do some companies offer free mold inspections?
Free mold inspections are offered by companies that also perform remediation. The inspection cost is recovered through the remediation contract, creating a direct financial incentive to identify larger scopes and recommend more work. Florida Statute 468.8419 prohibits the same company from performing both assessment and remediation on the same property within 12 months — reflecting legislative recognition of this conflict.
Is the cheapest mold inspection the right choice?
Not necessarily. The most important variables are active MRSA license (verifiable through DBPR), accredited independent laboratory analysis, and complete independence from any remediation company. An assessment checking all three at $400 is better value than a cheaper assessment that fails any of them.
What is the cost of doing nothing when mold is suspected?
An unaddressed mold problem grows over time as contamination spreads through building assemblies and HVAC systems. Beyond remediation costs, there are the health-related outcomes documented in the IOM 2004 and WHO 2009 reviews. An assessment that identifies the problem accurately and scopes remediation correctly stops the progression and establishes a defensible record for insurance and legal purposes.
