Mold Inspection in Kemah, TX

Signs worth an inspection

• A damp, musty odor that returns after airing the house out
• Spotting on window frames or walls facing the bay
• Stains or bubbling paint near the floor on lower walls
• Growth around AC vents or a sour smell from the air handler
• Ceiling stains after wind-driven rain

Local conditions in Kemah

Kemah is a small waterfront city, about 30 miles from Houston, on the west shore of Galveston Bay. It calls itself the "Gateway to the Bay" and grew from a fishing town into a destination centered on the Kemah Boardwalk. The Clear Creek Channel runs along its northern end, separating it from Seabrook, with Clear Lake nearby. Hurricane Carla severely damaged the city in 1961, and in 2008 Hurricane Ike destroyed homes and businesses; Ike's storm surge hit the boardwalk hardest, and a waterline inside Landry's Restaurant marks the flood height. Homes that took surge or rain then deserve a close look at lower walls and subfloors. Every day, bay humidity and an AC running most of the year put attic ducts, drain pans and windows under pressure.

What affects the cost

Angi's Houston cost data reports an average of $453 for inspection and testing, usually $355 to $563. Raised homes, tight attics and lab samples add time and cost, and a house with both storm history and AC problems may need readings in more rooms. Texas law requires a different company for removal on the same project, so remediation is a separate bill, followed by the assessor's clearance visit. HomeGuide's national ranges (2026) put inspections at $300 to $650 for an average-sized home.

What happens when you call

You are connected with an independent local company that does mold assessment. Check its license on TDLR's license search and expect TDLR's Consumer Mold Information Sheet before mold work begins. The assessor checks the house and gives you a written report and, if needed, a protocol. Rebuilding goes through the City of Kemah Building Department, which handles permits, inspections and contractor registrations through its MyGov portal and links Chapter 46 of the municipal code on floods. The Galveston County Health District lists mold among complaints outside its jurisdiction.