Hey everyone, I'm facing a serious situation in my basement and feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. I got quoted nearly $20,000 for a comprehensive pest problem that includes sealing the house, removing insulation, treating some mold and fungus, and reinstalling insulation. Unfortunately, I'm broke and need to figure out how to handle this myself.
Here's the rundown:
- My basement insulation is completely infested with mice, so that all needs to go.
- There's a wood-eating fungus affecting some of the foundation wood.
- Certain areas are showing mold growth as well.
- I want to seal the basement, the foundation, and the rest of the house to prevent any future pests.
- After cleanup, I'm considering replacing with plastic-wrapped insulation unless there's a better option.
This is a huge project, especially since I'm a beginner, but I'm eager to learn and put in the effort. What should be my first steps, what tools will I need, and how can I break this down into manageable parts? Or is this just too big of a job for me? I'd really appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
This job shouldn't break the bank! A lot of the cost you're seeing is likely due to the labor involved in removing all the mess left by the mice. First things first, check for any moisture issues around your home. If there are water leaks or drainage problems, fix those before doing anything else; otherwise, the mold will just come back. Once that's sorted, removing insulation and disinfecting the area is key. After that, you can seal up gaps to keep pests out. Consider waiting a while before replacing insulation to ensure moisture isn't a constant issue. Good luck!
You can actually do most of this work yourself! Start by gathering some essentials: gloves, an air filter, and a respirator for safety. Remove everything from the basement and bag it up. Use a disinfectant to spray down the walls and treat any mold with a dedicated mold killer. To seal off any entrances where the mice could be coming in, use steel wool and spray foam. Once that's done, you can add new insulation. Don't worry, it's not high-skill work! You've got this!
You definitely should not just settle for one quote! I'd recommend getting at least three bids from different contractors. This way you can compare prices and see what services they actually include, which might help you negotiate better. Trust me, I went through a similar experience with getting a new roof and ended up saving a ton by shopping around!
Definitely make sure to have proper ventilation when using any cleaning solutions. It really helps prevent any off-gassing issues that could harm you.