Mold is a common problem that needs our attention to protect the health of our loved ones. Mold indicates other serious issues, such as inadequate ventilation, moisture buildup, and humidity. To eliminate those black spots and musty odor from your building, hiring a mold removal contractor’s services is necessary.
Why hire?
The professionals offering mold services basically perform an assessment, as well as remediation of mold. Since the mold problem can’t be addressed effectively unless you identify its source, the assessment step is essential. In this process, the mold assessor collects the physical samples, conducts a detailed evaluation of building history, and identifies the location and extent of mold growth. However, it is not necessary to conduct pre-air quality testing for mold in this step if you can see and smell mold in your home. After the assessment comes remediation of mold, this includes removing, cleaning, sanitizing, and other treatment and preventive steps to remove mold.
Whether you can see and smell mold or have a problem with high humidity or stagnant water, you may need to hire a Mold Assessor or Remediator. The professional mold remediation expert can help you understand why mold is growing in your home and what actions you will need to prevent mold growth. However, before hiring any consultant or removal specialist, make sure to find a reliable one.
How to hire?
Verify License
Be cautious of unreliable contractors who are not authorized to perform mold remediation services. As per the law, a mold removal company must have a state license. The first thing you need to check is a current and active state license to ensure that a contractor is registered. You can get this information from your state department, telling you how long the contractor has been licensed to perform work. In addition to this, check their industry certifications and credentials.
Check performance records
Before you give anyone access to your home, make sure to check their history and find out if complaints have been filed against the contractor or consultant in the past. Ask if their workers on the job undergo a background check and are they trained and certified.
Check Insurance
Mold removal is a risky task, which means you need to check the contractor’s insurance. A reliable mold remediation professional will have personal and property damage liability insurance, as well as workers’ compensation insurance. When all workers on the job site are covered, you get peace of mind that in case anything goes wrong, you’ll not be held liable for it.
Get a written inspection report.
Ask how the company will conduct the inspection and air sampling. Do they hire a third-party inspector? Whether they perform testing on their own or hire a third-party consultant, make sure testing is unbiased, and approved institutions accredit the laboratory. Moreover, always ask for an inspection report. This report should include details of all the areas inspected, the cause of the mold growth, how to take care of the problem, and sampling results.
