How Much Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost? [2025 Data]

Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost Factors

There are a few factors that can affect how much you’ll pay for crawl space encapsulation, including the size of your crawl space, the condition, what types of foundation waterproofing you need, insulation installation, vapor barrier installation costs, and crawl space dehumidifier costs.

Crawl Space Size

Basic crawl space encapsulation costs between $2 and $4 per square foot, while more extensive encapsulations can total between $3 and $10 per square foot. The latter normally involves more substantial cleaning, repairs, and requested features. No matter the extent of the work you need done, though, larger crawl spaces will cost more to encapsulate.

Crawl Space Condition

If your crawl space has pests, mold, or other problems that your professional needs to address, you should expect to add costs for cleaning and inspection. Your prices will be lower if your crawl space is in good condition beforehand, and your expert can jump right into waterproofing rather than spending time on a thorough clean-up first.

Materials

One of the main things that will influence the cost of crawl space encapsulation is the material you use. The materials you need will vary depending on what you need your professional to do as part of the encapsulation.

Prep

Properly preparing for your crawl space encapsulation will help ensure that your project is a success. Before contractors begin work, you should first make sure that they will be able to access the area easily. This might mean moving furniture pieces around or emptying out a closet, depending on where the entryway is located.

Next, your contractor will need to take care of any problems before tackling the actual encapsulation. If you have any issues like standing water, damage to electrical or plumbing systems, or rotting wood, you need to fix the source of the problem. Repairs can cost anywhere from $200 to seal a foundation crack or install an outlet for a sump pump or dehumidifier to over $10,000 to carry out structural repairs, remove pests, and remediate mold in the space.

Foundation Waterproofing

On average, homeowners pay $4,600 for foundation waterproofing, but the cost can range from $1,500 to $15,000, depending on the system's complexity and the home's size. You can figure out the best option for your home by contacting a local basement waterproofing contractor. 

Sealing Vents and Holes

Sealing any vents and air leaks ensures the space is fully encapsulated and that you won’t have ongoing moisture and mold issues under your home. You can expect to pay $15 to $22 per vent cover if you install them yourself or between $40 and $50 each if you have your professional install and seal them.

Labor

Labor makes up between 50% and 70% of the total encapsulation costs, or between $3,000 and $4,200. Labor costs will increase from there if you need extensive prep work done before the actual encapsulation. You’ll see the highest labor costs—up to $21,000—if you need structural repairs, mold remediation, and pest remediation before your professional can start the encapsulation.

Permits

Depending on your municipality, you may need a permit for crawl space encapsulation. Before you begin any work, it’s best to check with your local building department or ask your professional if you need permits. Permits for crawl space encapsulation will cost between $50 and $250.

Ongoing Crawl Space Encapsulation Costs

It’s important to remember there are costs to consider beyond those up-front costs that come along with the encapsulation, and it’s wise to budget for them in advance to prevent any surprise charges from popping up. From maintenance to repairs, here are some ongoing costs to consider for a crawl space encapsulation. 

Drainage System Repair

Whether your crawl space encapsulation project is equipped with a sump pump, drainage pipes, or other methods of water removal, there will likely be ongoing costs for the system’s maintenance. Ensuring the drainage system is working properly is important to avoid any excess moisture from accumulating. Budgeting for between $500 and $800 every five to ten years is a good way to ensure repairs are covered.

Pest Control and Mold Remediation

If there is a pest infestation in your crawl space prior to completing the encapsulation project, expect to spend an average of $380 to cover the cost of removing animals.

After that, regular check-ins with pest control specialists are something you’ll likely want to spend some money on down the line to ensure everything is clear. That’s especially true if you discover insects in your crawl space. Ongoing pest control can do wonders for keeping insects out of your crawl space, but the service costs $300 to $550 annually for around-the-clock protection.

If you have mold in your crawl space before encapsulating, you may need to pay for a mold inspection every so often to ensure the issue isn’t returning. A mold inspection will cost between $150 and $300. Luckily, your encapsulation should decrease the risk of mold growth in the area, so you could plan on an inspection every three to five years.

Other Inspections

Routine inspections aside from those for pests and mold are an essential ongoing cost after a crawl space encapsulation. Hiring a professional inspector to check for things like damaged insulation, ductwork issues, and moisture content will cost around $100 to $300 and can help keep your crawl space in tip-top shape.

Crawl Space Cleaning

Your encapsulation will often include a DIY or professional cleaning beforehand, but you should also budget for routine cleanings to keep your space neat and tidy. A one-off crawl space cleaning costs $4,000, on average, but after encapsulation, the cleaning process becomes a lot easier and should no longer include mold and pest removal. Budget for between $150 and $300 every few years for ongoing cleaning services.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Encapsulate Your Crawl Space

Encapsulating a crawl space is a challenging project for DIYers. You can do some of the work yourself, capping and sealing vents, and you can save money by completing the initial clean-out yourself before your professional arrives. However, installing vapor barriers, dehumidifiers, and sump pumps and sealing foundation cracks to prevent water intrusion are complicated jobs that demand help from a professional.

Not only is the work challenging and dangerous for DIYers to do themselves, but you also risk exposing yourself to mold and debris from pests, which can cause allergic reactions and lead to respiratory issues. Solving crawl space issues can also be challenging and require experience, so DIYing can lead to future problems. By hiring a crawl space encapsulation contractor, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing the job will be done right.

Ways to Save Money on Crawl Space Encapsulation Costs

While most costs are beyond the control of the customer and are based on crawl space size and condition, there are still a couple of things you can do to help manage the price. 

• Opt for more affordable materials. Your contractor will guide you toward the materials you need, but choosing things like a thinner vapor barrier, a less expensive dehumidifier, and a pedestal sump pump over a submersible one can save you hundreds.

• DIY what you can. You can perform some of the preparation work yourself to save some money on labor. Just be sure to wear proper protective gear, including safety goggles and a respirator.

• Get more done at once. Bundling your crawl space encapsulation with other home renovation projects, especially those having to do with foundation repairs or additions, can save significant money over splitting up the work.

Signs You Need Crawl Space Encapsulation

Encapsulation helps homes that have a problem with moisture buildup and pests. Some signs this might be a good option for you include:

• Visible moisture, such as standing water, discoloration from water, or damp spots

• Rotting on the wood beams and joists 

• Warped, sagging, bouncy, uneven, spongey, or buckling flooring located above the crawl space

• Signs of rodent infestation, such as scratching sounds or droppings

• Sweating on your windows, which indicates that condensation is likely forming inside your walls 

• A musty smell in your basement

• Mold growing in your basement or crawl space, which will result in mold growing throughout the rest of your home if left untreated

• Insect infestations in your home

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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