Radon testing should be done by a professional and averages $419. You can DIY some of the testing with an average cost of $146, but it isn’t advised.
The average cost for radon testing ranges from $100 on the low end to $1,200 on the high end. This results in a national average cost of $419. These costs may seem a bit high but considering radon inhalation is the number two cause of lung cancer, it’s a wise investment.
The large range of costs comes down to a few factors like the type of test performed and the level of test required. There are ways to test for radon yourself, but they will never be as accurate as a professionally-administered test. Consider that disclaimer when you’re thinking about testing for radon in your home.
If you’re wondering how to test for radon, there are two testing methods: DIY or hire a professional to come to your home and perform the test. Radon is a radioactive gas that can originate from things you see everyday—dirt, water, stones, etc. Our bodies are used to radon in low levels, but sometimes it can pool inside a home, which is when it becomes dangerous.
| Type of Test | Accuracy | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Home test kit | Low – medium | $146 |
| Professional testing | High | $715 |
As you can see, performing tests with kits is much more cost-effective, but also less accurate. The exact type of test performed matters as well, as radon can be tested for a period of time lasting from two days to more than one year. The average person won’t know which type of test to use, which is why it’s highly recommended you hire a professional radon testing business near you.
Short-term testing is good for discovering if you have a high level of radon in your home, but it won’t be as reliable as a long-term test. Confirming radon is one thing but having accurate measurements over time is preferable.
If you have a positive result from a short-term kit, that usually means the radon is well above the normal range. However, false negatives are much more common in short-term tests vs. long-term tests. This is why it’s a good idea to hire a pro, because they will know which type of test to use, and where to place it.
Common short-term testing kits are:
Charcoal canisters
Electret ion detector
These types of tests are more affected by environmental factors when compared to long-term tests. Shifts in humidity and temperature can eschew results. A negative result does not mean there are no dangerous levels of radon in your home.
Long-Term results are much more consistent than short-term, which is why most pros prefer—and/or only employ—long-term tests. Professionals need to be accurate, so they will use the best methods available, and for radon testing, that usually means Alpha Track Detection.
Alpha Track Detection measures the alpha particles emitted during the decay of radon gas. This method can also be used for short-term testing but is generally left for longer periods. There is a plastic film inside the test kit that is analyzed after the testing period.
The kits are generally sealed in a way that prevents them from external influences like those that affect short-term tests. They very rarely malfunction, and with a confirmed radon presence, you can get rid of the radon faster.
Continuous radon monitors, or CRMs, are plugged into the wall and measure radon levels. These are convenient for a number of reasons, mainly:
They are small, and either run on batteries or are plugged directly into the wall.
They often have accompanying apps, so you can check whenever in Bluetooth range.
They can be reset and moved to different rooms to test.
They are easy to use and generally don’t require specialized knowledge.
You can track radon fluctuations.
Some CRMs have both short-term and long-term readouts which make for a solid range of results to compare against other testing methods. CRMs are somewhere between the reliable test results of a professional long-term test and a short-term DIY kit.
You can often test water for radon with a CRM, but it’s a better idea to hire a pro or reach out to either The Safe Drinking Water Hotline or the EPA. You can also call your state’s radon office and they would be able to advise you on the best way to go about testing your water.
Radon is much more common in well water than it is in reverse osmosis-filtered city water. There is a much greater chance of your water containing dangerous levels if you live on a farm or pull water from a nearby well. While boiling water does remove radon gas from the liquid itself, it evaporates and remains in the air afterward.
| Testing Methods | Average Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Short-Term | $100 | 2 – 7 days |
| Long-Term | $1,200 | 90 – 365 days |
| Continuous | $420 | 30 – 365+ days |
| Water | $146 | 7 – 10 days |
When you hire a professional for testing, their time and expertise is what you’re paying for. Labor costs are included in the cost of testing, but it’s safe to assume you will pay around $70 to $110 an hour. This will include examining your home to determine the best location (or locations) for testing, setting up the equipment, and returning to collect samples and remove equipment.
You can perform radon testing yourself but it isn’t necessarily the best idea. Remember that radon test results are sometimes required when selling property or dealing with insurance, and a DIY result won’t be approved.
There’s also the consideration that in certain states, radon test results are required when building homes. There are commercial applications as well that require licensed results. DIY test results can certainly save you money, but there are very few cases where it makes more sense than hiring a pro. It’s recommended that you only consider DIY testing as a last resort—if, say, your local pro has no immediate availability—remembering that every day you’re exposed to radon is bad for your health.
While it’s best to leave radon testing to the professionals, there are a few ways to save money:
DIY testing kits: While they’re not as accurate as professional testing, they’re much less expensive.
Price compare: Get quotes from multiple radon testing companies to get the lowest price.
Prep the area: Ask your pro if you can take on some of the manual labor before testing, such as clearing the area of furniture.
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Radon is commonly found in the lower areas of your home, especially the basement. This is because the basement is often closest to the material that’s causing the radon level to increase. It’s recommended to check radon levels in the basement periodically or whenever a change is occurring, such as refinishing a basement or having someone move into the basement as their living space.
Radon is present almost everywhere but, like sunlight, the concentration levels and how often you are exposed to it have a large part to play in just how dangerous it is. There are levels of radon that are acceptable inside a house, but above a certain limit, radon becomes a serious radioactive hazard that is a known cause of lung cancer. In fact, radon exposure is the number two leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking).
A radon test has no effect on humans—only the radon in the air does. The test does not redistribute the radon that is already present so yes, it’s safe to be around the testing kit even if it isn’t safe to be in the room itself. The test absorbs and measures the radon, but doesn't absorb enough of it to make the room any safer.
The soil beneath your house is most likely what’s causing an increased level of radon. This is because soil holds radioactivity for a long time and it’s also what most buildings are built on. Another common source of radon is water from a source that hasn’t been through periodic radon tests, such as well water. Over time, the radon from the soil can inhabit other parts of your house like the foundation or plumbing.
The short answer is no, air purifiers do not help with radon. While they certainly can improve the air quality of your home, they only clean pollutants from the air. Radon is radioactive, and it isn’t affected by the same filtration systems that handle other airborne particles, like dust and mold. The only thing that works is a radon mitigation system.
You can vent radon out of your house sometimes by simply opening a window, but it won’t remove the source, and will likely rise above recommended levels quickly. A professional will be needed to assess your home, and determine the best strategy for radon removal. Active radon sump pumps and soil depressurization systems are often used to forcefully vent the radon from your home.
