Spot a Mold Inspection Scam and Avoid a Costly Mistake
In the world of mold remediation, they often say “Mold is Gold.” Self-proclaimed mold experts talk unsuspecting homeowners into a mold inspection scam. The costly repair scheme drains your bank account. Find out how you can protect your home and your wallet by following a few simple suggestions.
Avoid a Mold Inspection Scam
Every day, well-meaning homeowners risk losing lots of money trying to keep their humble abodes in good shape. People know this and capitalize on a scary word — mold. Mold can cause allergies and breathing problems but it’s not a monster rising from the depths of a black swamp to terrorize you and your family. You can hold on to your dollar bills by following a few simple guidelines to flush out a mold inspection scam.
Steps to Stop a Mold Inspection Scam Cold
The good guys who do legitimate mold testing and remediation, such as Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration, have a few simple suggestions to avoid being scammed.
- Take any horror stories about “black mold” (Stachybotrys chartarum) being a killer with a grain of salt. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that mycotoxins produced by certain molds have “not been proven” to cause disease or severe rare health conditions.
- Say you suspect you have a mold problem from a leaky water pipe in your home. Before starting a mold removal project hire an independent indoor air quality professional to perform a test first. Once remediated, call the air quality professional back for a “clearance test,” to make sure the mold exists at a safe level.
- Pass on any mold remediation company that offers free mold testing. Trustworthy companies charge for tests.
- Avoid hiring any mold remediation company that offers to do both testing and mold removal. A third-party should be involved.
- Ask to inspect credentials, such as certifications from a reputable national mold remediation organization and licenses from a state, such as Florida. While Florida regulates mold professionals, many states do not. Well-known certification programs include the Mold Inspection Consulting and Remediation Organization (MICRO), the Professional Mold Inspection Institute (PMII), the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI) or Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
- A mold inspection scam usually requires the homeowner pay upfront. Typically, you should pay 25 percent when work starts, 25 percent midway through the project and 50 percent upon project completion and after an independent air quality professional confirms safe levels of mold remain.
- Another dead ringer of a mold inspection scam? The mold remediation company offers no guarantees on their work.
Hire Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration for Your Mold Problem
Once you have followed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approach to mold, call Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration to handle any mold cleanup. We have a Florida license through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (FL MOLD REMEDIATOR LICENSE #MRSR 1287 / FL MOLD ASSESSOR LICENSE #MRSA 1303). Additionally, our employees participate in the NORMI Certified Mold Inspector program. And we participate in the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification program.
At Escarosa Cleaning and Restoration, we follow industry standards by giving you a detailed quote, plus we stand behind our work. Trust the best trained professionals in the industry to eliminate your mold problem. Call us today and avoid being scammed!