October 16, 2026 · 5 min read · By Justin Zarudny, Principal
Short answer: at Origin Environmental, a standard residential mold test in San Diego County starts at $495. Testing with moisture readings, thermal imaging and a written interpretation is $595. A full building-science investigation for complex or recurring problems runs $1,500–$3,500.
The $495 Basic Mold Testing package includes a visual walkthrough of accessible interior areas, two air samples (one inside, one outdoor control), laboratory submission and the laboratory report. It does not include interpretation. Additional air or surface samples are $95 each.
The $595 package adds non-invasive moisture meters, thermal imaging for suspected hidden moisture, a floor sketch showing sample locations, and a written interpretation of the lab results by a certified inspector. When results and site conditions support it, it also includes a Mold Remediation Protocol (MRP) that a remediation contractor can work from.
The $1,500–$3,500 investigation is for homes where the problem keeps returning or the source is unclear. It covers three to six hours on site, inside and outside, with moisture mapping, HVAC, roof, drainage and ventilation review, room-by-room photos, a Matterport walkthrough and a full written report.
What changes the price: the number of samples the question actually needs, the size and layout of the home, whether the building is commercial or multifamily, litigation-related work, and rush timing. Next-day lab turnaround is $55 extra per sample when the lab can accommodate it, and rush report delivery is $195.
One thing to watch for: a free or very cheap inspection offered by a company that also sells mold removal. Origin only inspects and tests. It does not do remediation, so the findings are not tied to selling repair work. If you need a contractor afterward, Origin can refer IICRC-certified remediation companies it has vetted.
To get an exact price, call (858) 833-0033 or request an inspection online. Describe the concern, the rooms involved and any water history, and you'll get a defined scope before anyone arrives.
Scope of services
Origin evaluates building and environmental conditions. It does not diagnose illness, determine individual medical risk, make insurance-coverage decisions, provide legal opinions, or issue engineering conclusions.