Factors to Consider When Looking for a Mold Inspection Company
Health and Safety
This is the final and most important factor. Health and safety is very vital. The inspection company has to give you assurances that they will conduct the work without any alarming health and safety concerns. The company should therefore assure you that they will use proper safety gear, face masks and gloves in the inspection process. In addition to this, they should seal off the working area to curb the mold from spreading throughout your home. When mold spreads to other parts of your home, it can be a great health concern, as your loved ones will be at risk of exposure. Your desired mold inspection company should implement a wide range of safety measures to promote safety while doing the work.
Price and Pre Testing
The price of mold inspection varies from company to company. It is good and prudent for you to get quotations and compare them before choosing and settling for one. Some companies insist on pre-testing mold but this is not important, as it escalates the prices. Professionals who insist on doing these tests only want your money and to ultimately drain your bank. It is also not ideal for you to choose quotations that are exceedingly low hence; this should be a major red flag. Only quacks charge very low prices, as they are not properly trained but just merely experimental.
Insurance
It is vital to hire an inspector who has insurance that duly covers them. This protects and guards you in case there might be any possible losses. Insurance is therefore very important, especially pertaining to liability if any accident happens in your house. This also applies when there is sub-contracting. Such contractors also have to be well trained and insured as well. They ought to bear documents or credentials clearly depicting the same.
Testimonials and Experience
Testimonials and experience are essential factors to consider. They help ensure that you do not settle for mold inspector who is actually a rookie. The testimonials could be by word of mouth or you can find them in the inspectors or company’s website. This therefore implies that you have to enquire about the company and any possible recommendations. It ensures that you settle for a company that will exceed your expectations.
Certification
You should do extensive research before settling on a certain mold inspection company. Most companies have websites and the “about us” page reveals whether they are industry certified or not. The mold inspection field might appear to be hugely unregulated. However, check whether they have certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration.
What You Should Know Before Hiring Mold Removal Help
How expensive can I expect removal to be?
-Price of mold removal depend on the size of the job — they can often be over $1000. But, some mold professionals out there exaggerate the amount of work that needs to be done, driving up the price. If you think a quoted price seems high, we recommend getting multiple quotes to compare.
However, if you get a quote that’s shockingly low, that’s also a big red flag. Companies that don’t do things properly are the only ones that can charge shockingly low prices.
Mold professionals are licensed and skilled tradesmen, just like a plumber or electrician, so you can expect to pay more for a mold company than a regular handyman. Keep in mind that mold professionals have high overhead costs, such as high general liability and workers comp insurance, which also factors into their price.
Wanna keep things really cheap? Do it yourself! In some cases, minor mold problems (less than about 10 square feet of mold) in places like a bathroom corner can easily be handled by a handy homeowner with a free weekend afternoon and a few basic supplies from the hardware store. For more information, see our previous post on the subject: Do I need a Mold Remediation Professional?
-No need to take a wrecking ball to the entire house at the sight of a little mold. You can keep the price down by focusing just on the area where there is visible mold. For example, mold on drywall in one corner of the room only needs cut out and replaced in that corner. Yes, the rest of the room (and maybe adjoining rooms) should be cleaned, but only damaged drywall needs to be cut out and replaced.
I See Mold. Do I Really Need a Mold Professional?
When should a mold inspection and mold testing be considered?
- When visible mold is not present, but the smell of mold is. Here a mold inspection and mold test can reveal whether there is indeed elevated mold, and where it is located.
- There have been plumbing leaks or water issues and there is a suspicion that elevated mold may exist in the air and/or behind walls.
- Post Mold Removal Clearance Testing to ensure that the previous mold issue has been resolved and mold counts have returned to levels found in normal environments of the same type.
- Health Concerns: In some cases, a doctor or the patient has a health issue that they cannot pinpoint the cause but seems to be related to mold symptoms (coughing, sneezing, headaches, etc). Here, a mold inspection and test may help to confirm whether the doctor’s or patient’s suspicions that a mold problem exists.
- For real estate transactions for the protection of Buyers and Sellers.
- Landlord/Tenant disputes as to whether there is a mold problem.
- Someone thinks they see or smell mold but are not sure.
- Someone is interested in a general Indoor Air Quality test of their environment.
Tips to Protect Yourself During Mold Inspection
Do Your Research
Experts say homeowners should not underestimate the importance of checking referrals, references or credentials. While some certifications reflect extensive training, others, like ABC’s “The Lookout” uncovered, do not. ABC News anchor Cynthia McFadden received her certification as a mold assessor after taking an honor system test, paying $49.95 for the certificate and purchasing a book for approximately $34.00.
Slower Is Better
Experts warn homeowners should be wary of inspectors that reach a conclusion too quickly. Every investigation should include a thorough visual inspection looking for signs of mold and moisture, a history of your home’s problems, the health of its occupants, as well as moisture and temperature readings. An entire home could take approximately one to three hours, depending on its size.
Tests Do Not Hold All the Answers
According to the EPA, “in most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary,” but testing can be a tool in detecting hidden mold. However, some government agencies say remediation should not be based on test results alone. Experts say to be wary if an inspector does nothing but test for samples and bases mold remediation on sampling alone.
Don’t Think Extreme
Inspections should start with the least intrusive approaches first. Mold inspections can be like peeling an onion: If signs of mold or moisture are indicated, then an inspector may have to become more invasive and peel another layer. Mold inspection is a step-by-step process that is based on what you see.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOLD REMEDIATION COMPANY
Ask the Right Questions
- The first thing to look for in a mold remediation company is whether or not they stand behind their work. What kind of warranty does the company offer? Octagon Cleaning & Restoration offers a 5-year warranty on its high-quality, specialized cleaning services for all residential and commercial properties that it remediates.
- Next, ask if the company if it is insured and licensed. Look for a company that is fully licensed and has the proper certifications to perform the job as required. The staff should be trained and highly experienced. Mold remediation requires a high degree of expertise. The person actually overseeing the work on your property should be able to communicate with you through the entire mold remediation and removal process each step of the way.
- Finally, a company’s certification is just as important as its reputation. Octagon Cleaning & Restoration is IICRC certified—the industry standard. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), is the institution that sets the standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, restoration and installation industries. More importantly, these are the standards that insurance companies adhere to.