Raccoon removal costs more when the animal is inside your home than when it is outside. Trapping and relocating a single raccoon from the yard usually runs $200 to $300, but an attic job that includes trapping, sealing every entry point, and cleanup can reach $1,000 to $3,500.
- A single yard raccoon costs about $200 to $300 to trap and relocate.
- Attic or chimney jobs run $500 to $3,500 because they add exclusion, cleanup, and often a litter of kits.
- A mother with kits costs more: the young must be removed by hand and reunited outside.
- Exclusion is billed separately and is the step that stops re-entry.
DIY Removal Costs
Do-it-yourself raccoon removal is risky and usually not recommended. Raccoons are strong, can be aggressive when cornered, and carry diseases including rabies and raccoon roundworm. A large cage trap costs $40 to $100, but trapping a raccoon yourself means handling a wild animal and figuring out legal relocation, which many states prohibit. Prefer a range for your own situation? My cost calculator does the math from the same figures.
If you do attempt it, wear thick gloves, never approach a raccoon that appears sick or disoriented, and check your local rules first. Most homeowners are better off calling a licensed wildlife operator for raccoons.
Professional Removal Costs
Professional raccoon removal costs $200 to $600 for a standard single-animal job, with a national average around $400. This covers inspection, trap setup, daily trap checks for up to a week, and removal of one raccoon.
The price climbs sharply for inside jobs. A raccoon in the attic typically costs $550 to $975, a chimney removal $400 to $3,500, and a full nest with multiple raccoons $300 to $750. A mother denning with a litter of kits is the most expensive scenario because the young must be hand-removed and reunited, adding labor and exit sealing.
Exclusion and Cleanup Costs
Exclusion is what keeps raccoons from coming back. Sealing entry points runs $10 to $25 per linear foot, or $20 to $60 per opening, depending on materials. Chimney caps cost $400 to $500 installed. Attic cleanup and decontamination of droppings and soiled insulation runs roughly $300 to $500 per 100 square feet.
Raccoons are destructive and will tear through flimsy repairs, so exclusion must use heavy-gauge materials like 16-gauge galvanized steel mesh. This is not a job for caulk and foam.
Factors That Affect Removal Costs
Location. A raccoon in the yard is the cheapest job. An attic, wall, or chimney raccoon requires more labor, access equipment, and exclusion work.
Litter of kits. A mother with young must be removed carefully, which adds time and often requires a second visit to confirm the whole family is out.
Access. Steep roofs, tall chimneys, and tight crawl spaces increase labor and safety requirements.
Damage and contamination. Raccoons create latrines, tear insulation, and can damage wiring. Cleanup and repair are usually billed separately and can exceed the removal itself.
Ask whether the quote includes trap checks, disposal, cleanup, and any follow-up visit. Some companies charge extra per animal, per visit, or for after-hours and weekend service.
Cost Comparison by Method
| Removal Method | Typical Cost | Best For | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yard Trapping | $200 to $300 | Single raccoon outside | High |
| Attic Removal | $550 to $975 | Raccoon in the attic | Very High |
| Chimney Removal | $400 to $3,500 | Raccoon in the chimney | Very High |
| Full Nest Removal | $300 to $750 | Mother with kits | Very High |
When to Pay for Professional Help
Always call a professional for raccoons inside the home, in the chimney, or in the attic. These jobs require working at height, handling a potentially aggressive animal, removing kits safely, and sealing entry points correctly. Raccoons are also a rabies vector species, so the risk of handling them yourself is real.
Call a pro if you see a raccoon acting strangely, if a litter is present, or if you have tried DIY methods without success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most standard homeowners policies do not cover raccoon removal itself, though some may cover resulting damage to roofs, soffits, or wiring. Check your policy and document any damage before removal begins.
Up front, a cage trap is cheaper than a pro, but the hidden costs add up fast: legal relocation, the risk of injury or disease, and the likelihood the raccoon returns because you did not seal the entry point. For most homeowners, professional removal is the better value.
Quotes differ by location, the number of raccoons, whether a litter is present, access difficulty, and how much exclusion and cleanup the company includes. Always get an itemized estimate that separates inspection, removal, exclusion, and cleanup.
Attic raccoon removal typically costs $550 to $975 for a single animal, and $1,000 to $3,500 when sealing, cleanup, and a litter are involved. Attic jobs cost more than yard jobs because of access and the amount of exclusion work required.
The cheapest effective approach is prevention: secure garbage cans, remove pet food, and seal obvious entry points before a raccoon moves in. Once an animal is inside, professional removal with exclusion is cheaper in the long run than repeated DIY attempts.
