Why is it important to hire the right mold removal company?

Mold removal firms are not all of the same quality. Some cut corners, others haven’t taken the right courses and some people surface treat the mold without looking into the root cause which has made the mold appear and you find that the mold begins to reappear and grows much larger and spreads even further than before.

This article will guide you on why it is important to choose your mold removal company. It will distinguish a good company from a bad one, it will let you know what a good company is, the kind of questions you should ask, what to look out for in a firm and in the end allow you to not only fix the problem but ensure it won’t happen again, saving you time and money on a failed task. Don’t forget to check our certifications and accreditations of a company before hiring them. 

What exactly is a Mold removal company?

A mold removal company or mold remediation company is something far more than a company that can spray or wipe the mold off the wall. There is a procedure that needs to be followed:

Inspection: Search the visible areas for mold, while also looking for hidden areas of growth behind walls and under floor boards.

Moisture detection: Be able to locate the water problem (e.g. A leaking pipe) which is allowing the mold to grow, or if it is just general humidity in the area.

Containment: Prevent the areas of the house that contain the mold growth from interacting with clean areas and therefore spreading it.

Removal: Clear away mold and the damaged materials that cannot be cleaned such as drywall and carpets.

Cleaning & treatment: Thoroughly clean all affected areas to remove spores that have remained behind and also treat the surfaces with a mold inhibitor.

Prevention: Solve the problem with moisture in your home to avoid the reoccurrence of mold.

Beware that it can be quite costly, especially if the provider you have chosen doesn’t do the moisture detection, the mold will just keep coming back as long as the water problem is present.

Hiring the wrong company can be harmful to your health.

A mold removal firm will seal off the mold to ensure that it doesn’t spread any further by using an air filter to remove spores which are then going to contaminate the air within your home. An unqualified team would likely be more inclined to disturb the mold and spread it around the home and if they do they might even leave the air quality in the house in a worse condition than it was before they even arrived.

This is why a good company with the correct training and equipment needs to be hired to perform this kind of work, and you wouldn’t just want to have mold removed from your house; you would want the issue addressed and prevented from occurring.

The cost of selecting the wrong contractor 

A company charging the lowest price could ultimately end up costing you far more:

Re-growth of mold: If the company fails to sort out the problem with the water, the mold will grow back again within months and so you’ll have paid two times.

Hidden mold remaining: It may be left inside walls and under floorboards; once it reappears it will be a far bigger task than before.

Damage to property: Wood and drywall degrade very quickly if left with mold, leading to higher prices at repair.

Disclosure of inadequate treatment can affect your sale: if it turns out it was just superficial treatment, you will have a hard job selling.

A professional company will obviously cost you more at first but once the job is finished it is gone and this is much cheaper than paying for constant small repairs over and over.

When searching for a mold removal company, look for a service that has the following attributes:

These are qualities which can assist you distinguish from the real professional company to the risky ones.

Have they got insurance and certification?

Certification from a recognized external body like the IICRC can provide confirmation that they run a business ethically and conduct business safely. Check with your local authorities about state requirements for mold abatement licenses.

Is there liability and workers compensation insurance?

A trustworthy company will carry adequate workers comp and liability insurance to cover any damages during your work, either directly or indirectly, by anyone from the workers comp agency; without their being any obligation on your part.

Have they performed an in-depth assessment, and produced a plan?

A good mold removal company will come out to your property and conduct thorough assessments to check what needs to be done before you even sign any document. They should then supply a detailed written statement including the exact locations of the mold, how it occurred and what the company proposes to do. Firms which provide an estimate over the phone or offer a complimentary assessment that is conditional should be viewed with suspicion, as some do charge after the assessment is completed.

When calling to hire a contractor you should ask these questions:

When calling around you should get at least 3 firms and then ask them these questions to allow you to discover the proper ones:

Can you present an inspection report for my house that provides detail on how the job will be undertaken?

How will you look for the presence of hidden mold?

Look out for signs of an incompetent firm:

These are indicators you may be considering hiring the wrong people:

• The quote was provided over the telephone without inspection
• They will only provide the surface treatment and do not consider the source of the moisture problem.
• They will not provide evidence of their licensing or insurance
• They appear to use intimidation or push tactics and insist that you sign up straight away, giving you the impression that you need the job done as soon as possible.

A bit more research into the job and you will avoid picking up on some incompetent firms.