How to Choose a Residential Mold Removal Company

There are many companies offering residential mold removal services. How do you choose the best one? How do you know the job will be done correctly and that you’ll be charged a fair rate for the service? We’ll tell you what to look for in a mold remediation service.

What Services Do Residential Mold Removal Companies Provide?

It will vary from company to company, of course, but according to Consumer Affairs, an organization that provides information and advocacy for consumers, mold remediation companies often provide a number of services, including:

Consultation – Professionals assess the mold damage and advise homeowners about how to best address the mold problem. They can also help homeowners identify the source of the excessive moisture that led to the growth of mold and advise them about how to prevent mold in the future. Some professionals provide free consultations, although others charge for the consultations, according to Consumer Affairs.
Mold testing – Professionals test for mold, by sampling the air or testing various surfaces, both to find out if mold is present and if so, how much and what type or types of mold are present. They explain the results of the laboratory tests to homeowners. They may also perform post-remediation testing, in which the home is tested for mold after mold remediation has been completed to make sure all mold was removed (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests post-remediation testing).
Mold removal and repair of mold-related damage – Professionals remove mold from various household surfaces, remove and replace moldy materials, repair mold-related damage, and correct the problems that led to the growth of mold in the home. Mold removal companies can do most of this work, but you may need to hire an HVAC specialist if there is mold in your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Mold remediation professionals should guarantee their work and return to complete the job if post-remediation testing finds any mold remaining in the home.

We recommend not hiring the same company to do both mold remediation and post-remediation testing, as this would present a conflict of interest. You want an objective party to do the post-remediation testing to make sure the first company did the job correctly.

How Do You Know a Residential Mold Removal Company Is Qualified to Do the Job?

In most states, mold removal professionals aren’t required to be licensed. However, there are industry organizations that certify professionals in the field. When choosing a mold removal company, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends asking about the qualifications of employees. If they are certified by any industry-specific organizations, ask what those qualifications mean. What did they have to do in order to become certified? Do they have to do anything to maintain certification, like take continuing education classes?

The following are some mold removal credentials offered by professional organizations, though these are not the only credentials mold removal professionals may hold. Professionals may also be certified by more than one professional organization. You can contact the certifying organization to verify a professional’s credentials. Note that the Environmental Protection Agency does not certify mold removal professionals.

MRS (Mold Removal Specialist) – This credential is obtained through the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), an internationally-recognized organization that develops stands for mold remediation. Professionals must be trained in the prevention and removal of mold and must pass a comprehensive exam in order to become MRS certified.

CMR (Council-certified Microbial Remediator) – Accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), these professionals must have at least two years experience working in the mold removal field. They must pass a comprehensive exam and must obtain at least 20 hours of continuing education each year.

CMRS (Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor) – Also accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), these professionals must have at least five years experience working in the mold removal field. They must also pass a comprehensive exam and must obtain at least 20 hours of continuing education each year. They are qualified to supervise mold remediators as well as to remove mold.

To Find a Mold Remediation Service near You

Follow this link to find qualified mold removal professionals in your area. All of the residential mold removal professionals on our list offer free consultations, so you can get expert information and advice about any mold issues in your home at no cost to you. Remember to ask them about their qualifications and any certifications they hold. You should also ask for references.

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Ref: Consumer Affairs