While hiring a contractor to complete a mold inspection at your home, there are a few things to consider, some of which are listed below.
- EXPERIENCE
Find a mold inspection company that has been there in the business for a while. Experience plays a great role in mold inspection, and you should try to choose a company with at least a few years of experience. An experienced mold inspector is preferable to a less experienced one because they will likely have inspected more homes. Inspecting different homes brings a mold inspector closer to being a specialist.
- CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Choose a company that is strictly in the business of mold inspection only. To minimize the chance of a conflict of interest, the mold inspection company should strictly be in the business of inspecting, testing, and consulting homes. By choosing a company dedicated to the service they provide, there will be no chance of a conflict of interest. They will only be interested in the service they provide. This will also ensure that you receive a quality service.
- INSPECTION REPORT
After inspecting your home, the mold inspector will provide a two-part document as a report. One part will contain lab results, and the other will include an inspection report. Upon conducting the mold testing, the collected samples should be sent to an independent laboratory for proper analysis. The inspection company will interpret the lab analysis results, comprehensively analyzing the property condition, laboratory findings, and recommendations. The mold inspector will then hand this report over to you. Although the report should be easy to understand when you read it, do not hesitate to ask your mold inspector to explain anything you did not understand. Also, some inspectors will provide lab results without any additional documentation. However, you should hire an inspector who also serves as a consultant and produce a document to reflect their interpretation of the inspection process to have someone explain complex things to you or get reliable suggestions.
- REFERRALS
Mold inspection companies make referrals to remediation companies. Ask your mold inspection company to refer to more than one remediation company so that you can choose from many that best suit your preference.
- LICENSE & INSURANCE
Upon getting recommendations from your mold inspector, the remediation company you choose should be licensed and well-insured once the inspection is completed. This is because contractors will destroy portions of the property they will be working on to repair it. This can prove risky if precautions are not taken and carried out skillfully. If the contractor does not have insurance, you might be responsible for paying the expenses in unfortunate circumstances.
- VERIFICATION
A post-remediation verification (PRV) inspection is conducted before rebuilding the affected area once the remediation has been completed. It is wiser to use the same inspection company before and after the remediation to ensure consistency in the inspection protocol and testing methodology. The PRV inspection will verify that the mold problem has been handled properly before reconstruction so that all the necessary action can occur without facing any hindrances.
- ESTIMATES
Another important aspect to note is the cost factor if you will get a mold inspection done. A mold inspection can be expensive, and you should make your provisions accordingly if you’re getting it done. Also, ask your inspector to estimate the total cost before starting the work.