How much does biohazard cleanup cost?
How much does biohazard cleanup cost?
$25 – $150+ average cost per hour
$1,500 – $5,000 total average cost
Average cost of biohazard cleanup
Biohazard cleanup costs $25 to $150+ per hour or $1,500 to $5,000 total on average, depending on the risk level and type of contaminants. Some life-threatening hazards may cost up to $25,000 to remediate. Servpro biohazard cleanup costs $1,000 to $7,000 on average or up to $10,000 for unattended death cleanup.
| Rate | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $25 – $150+ |
| Total average cost | $1,500 – $5,000 |
Biohazard professionals clean up after chemical spills, floods, deaths, hoarding, sewage backups, or any other scenario that could expose people to harmful bacteria, viruses, or chemicals.
During the cleanup, hazmat professionals remove unsafe materials, sanitize, and disinfect the area. A separate crew manages any lingering odor.
Biohazard cleanup cost by level
The CDC uses four different biosafety levels (BSLs) to classify biohazards. The rates vary for each level, but the prices are fairly firm and usually aren’t negotiable. The higher the risk, the higher the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination.
| Level | Average cost per hour | Details |
|---|---|---|
| BSL-1 | $25 – $50 | Minimal threat |
| BSL-2 | $30 – $80 | Moderate threat |
| BSL-3 | $50 – $150 | High-risk pathogens |
| BSL-4 | $150 – $600 | Life-threatening pathogens with no known treatment |
BSL-1
BSL-1 cleanup costs $25 to $50 per hour and includes cleaning materials and microbes that are less likely to cause disease or serious harm. Germs like E. coli or chicken pox fall into this category. Cleaning professionals may wear basic gloves and eye protection during this job.
BSL-2
BSL-2 cleanup costs $30 to $80 per hour and covers microbes and materials that could cause severe sickness via direct contact. This includes measles, mumps, or staph infections. Cleaning professionals use basic PPE and may have to decontaminate themselves if they come into direct contact with anything.
BSL-3
BSL-3 cleanup costs $50 to $150 per hour and includes airborne pathogens that have a cure or vaccine but can be fatal—like SARS. Professionals stay covered the whole time and wear a respirator mask that doesn’t recirculate air back into the mask.
BSL-4
BSL-4 cleanup costs $150 to $600 per hour and includes eradicating life-threatening microbes that have no approved vaccine, like Ebola or Marburg. Cleaning professionals wear a body suit and decontaminate every day. The homeowners must leave the home until it’s cleared for habitation again.
Hazmat cleanup cost factors
The following factors will affect the cost of a biohazard cleanup:
Affected area: The larger the affected area, the more time and resources are needed to clean it up.
Disposal: Biohazard companies typically charge separate pricing for labor hours and waste disposal. Many companies charge $50 to $500 total or a per-container fee.
Quotes & payment methods: Many biohazard companies allow you to pay in installments but offer a discount if you pay in full. Some companies also charge a fee for giving a quote in person instead of over the phone.
Company: Certain brands or franchises charge different rates. For example, Servpro provides biohazard cleanup for $900 to $10,000, depending on the severity of the cleanup.
Mold: On its own, mold remediation costs $15 to $30 per square foot or $1,500 to $6,000 total on average.
Deodorization: If the property has a lingering smell after the cleanup, such as after a sewage spill, deodorization costs about $100 per hour to neutralize the smell.
Experience: Companies that specifically handle biohazard cleanup charge more than a handyperson or maid service, but they have more experience and the right equipment to get the job done right the first time.
If your biohazard emergency was a result of a crime, you may qualify for aid through national and local programs. Contact the Victim Connect Resource Center for help.
Other cleaning services
Standard home cleaning companies can help if you have non-biohazard cleaning needs. They provide one-time cleaning services as well as regular weekly, monthly, or annual cleaning.
| Cleaning type | Average total cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard house cleaning cost | $120 – $280 | Sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, and disinfecting |
| Deep cleaning cost | $230 – $600 | Standard services plus window washing, cleaning the refrigerator, cleaning under furniture, scrubbing tile and grout |
| Move-out cleaning cost | $150 – $500 | Standard or deep cleaning and carpet cleaning to get the home back to like-new condition |
| Hoarding cleanup cost | $1,000 – $4,000 | Removes extreme clutter and waste* |
*Some hoarding jobs may require biohazard cleanup, depending on the home's condition and the type of hoarding involved.
Biohazard cleanup FAQs
What is biohazard cleanup?
Biohazard cleanup is the professional removal of harmful chemicals, waste, or diseases. Biohazard crews clean up after a flood, chemical spill, unattended death, hoarding, or sewage backup.
Does homeowners insurance cover biohazard cleanup?
Homeowners insurance covers most biohazard cleanup projects since most are the result of an accident and not neglect or intentional harm. Many biohazard companies work with the insurance company on your behalf.
How long does a biohazard cleanup take?
Biohazard cleaning can take a few hours to a few days, depending on the size and condition of the home and how many people are on the cleanup team. Heavy contamination or large-scale disasters may take several weeks.
Getting quotes from cleaning services
Follow these steps to find the best biohazard cleanup companies or one-time house cleaning services near you:
Get quotes from 3 or more licensed, insured biohazard companies.
Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Discuss your needs and let them evaluate the property.
Make sure they’re available to come as soon as possible. Some biohazard companies offer 24/7 services.
Get a written estimate with a list of the included services.
Questions to ask biohazard cleanup companies
Ask these questions to ensure you choose an experienced cleanup company:
How much experience do you have with this level of biohazard cleanup?
Do you have a business license and liability insurance?
What kind of training and equipment do your employees have?
What safety regulations will you follow to avoid further contamination?
Do you charge extra for disposal, or is that included?
Are there any fees not shown in the estimate?
What other costs might come up during the cleanup?
Will you work with my insurance company on my behalf?
How long will the cleanup take?
Do you offer any guarantees?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.