How to Choose a Mold Inspection Company

Discovering that you have mold in your Central Florida home is a nuisance.

Mold has the ability to quickly spread, in as little as 48 hours. The allergens and irritants that it produces also have the potential to cause serious health issues.

Mold doesn’t get better or go away on its own. In fact, it only gets worse. That’s why you need to contain it as fast as you possibly can.

So, if you suspect you may have mold in your home, have a qualified inspector come to your home immediately.

Finding a good mold inspector or a mold inspection company is not an easy task. You need to dedicate time to doing research. But even with that, it isn’t uncommon for mistakes to occur.

Many inspectors have the industry experience, are credible and have the necessary certifications. Nevertheless, there are some that are everything but – and are only looking to make some money off unsuspecting property owners.

In most cases, simple research on consumer-oriented sites like Angie’s List can help you separate the good inspectors from the bad. Browsing their website can also help you get an idea of what to expect.

But beyond this, it’s also a good idea to get a feel for their qualifications yourself. You can do this either in person or over the phone.

Here are the best questions to ask when trying to find the right mold inspector.

Question #1: How long have you been in business?

You want to make sure they have the experience in mold inspection. An experienced mold inspector will probably have performed hundreds of mold inspections annually. The more exposure they have to the industry, the more knowledge they can bring to the table.

Question #2: Can you describe your inspection process?

This is an important question to ask, as it helps you understand what services you are going to get.

It’s important that the mold inspection company carries out a visual inspection as well as doing testing. If they don’t carry out an inspection how are they supposed to know where to take samples? They should look for visible evidence of mold, document moisture issues and other indicators of mold growth.

The process should involve the use of borescope imaging cameras to get the highest level of accuracy possible. A borescope camera allows the inspector to check for moisture in areas that are otherwise inaccessible.

On top of that, listen for the use of a moisture meter, as it means they will be able to measure the level of moisture in the problem area.

Question #3: How long does it take to get a full mold report?

Depending on the scope of the work, turn-around time usually takes anywhere from a couple of days to a week. There should be enough time for them to complete the mold report properly, while also leaving you enough time to deal with the problem.

Question #4: How many mold samples do you usually take?

The number of samples should be based on the size of your home. It should also depend on whether you want the entire property to be tested or just a certain area that you’re worried about.

However, to get the best results, it’s recommended that 3 different samples are taken. The mold inspection company should take a surface sample, and air sample and a dust sample. With these, the company should be able to identify the type of mold present and then levels of mold present.

Question #5: What’s the cost of the inspection?

All companies are different, so it’s important that you ask this question. From the inspection and sampling fees, get a cost breakdown. If the inspector or company offers mold remediation, ask for the cost of that too.

Question #6: What are mycotoxins?

By asking this question, you are testing your inspector’s knowledge about their field of work. If they have a difficult time answering the question, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

The mold inspection company should be aware of what mycotoxins are, as they are the toxins release from different types of molds when under stress.

In other words, mycotoxins are produced when rivalry exists between molds for food. The mycotoxin produced is essentially a biotoxin meant to kill a living organism such as other molds.

Question #7: Do you handle the repairs as well?

Some might find it strange for a mold inspection company to handle both the inspecting and the repairs of a property. However, if you need repairs due to mold problems having a company that does both can save you time.

If they don’t happen to handle repairs, ask if they have any recommendation. Chances are, they will know someone is they have been in the business long enough.

Question #8: What other services do you provide?

This is a good question to ask your mold inspector to make sure you know who you are working with.

Generally speaking, a good number of remediation companies only focus on mold inspection or remediation. If the company offers other services like landscaping, HVAC maintenance, and handyman, find another

The more services they offer, the less specialized they might be.

Question #9: Are you properly insured?

Mold removal companies need to be properly insured. Check whether they are covered by the Pollution Liability Insurance. If they are not, continue your search.

Question #10: Are your employees certified and trained?

Any reputable mold contractor will have certified and properly trained employees. Mold removal company technicians often must go through extensive training and receive the certification required for the job.

Not all businesses are created equal. This is also true when it comes to mold inspection professionals. The surefire way to ensure you get the right mold inspection company is to get a feel for their qualifications by asking these 10 questions.