Mold Removal and Remediation Companies

Mold should come as no surprise. It’s likely one of the most natural parts of life. Things do stay shiny and new. They start out that way – babies, cars, watches, puppies – but time kicks in, from day 1. Ever heard the expression, “you’re one day closer to death?” A terrible, but true expression. This isn’t to say we don’t get wiser with time, but the core of the body is deteriorating day by day.

Now, there are things we can do to thwart this. Staying in shape and eating right is one. And when it comes to your house, making sure you don’t let things go which will result in a nasty four-letter word – mold. How do you know if your house has mold? It’s rather simple, if you can see it you got it. There are companies out there that peddle “mold-identification” services, but don’t waste your time. The only time to pre-test would be if you require hard proof that would serve in a negotiation. A good example is if you’re buying an older home and want to ensure you’ve checked everything clearly. You might want to hire a mold testing service to make sure there aren’t any nasty surprises and provide you some negotiation leverage.

So after you’ve located mold (sorry, it happens to the best of us), what are the costs involved in removing it? Well, the answer isn’t all that clear cut. Most mold removal will be north of $1,000. You might run up against some shady characters as well, exaggerating the job to drive up the price. It’s a crummy reality and one you should certainly be aware of. Mold professionals in general operate under high overhead costs. Things like general liability insurance as well as workers compensation drive their costs up. So a $500 job frankly isn’t profitable. But some good providers are certainly out there and the first thing to key in on is experience. A company with years of experience and the ratings/feedback to show for it is a great bet. Handymen who cruise the neighborhood with tools and flyers should be rightly be avoided.

Second, best business practices stipulate insured and licensed mold companies are the only ones that should be hired. Mold is hazardous and dealing with hazardous compounds requires expertise. Third, be critical. Ask potential candidates if they take time for example to apply plastic sheeting throughout the process so as to avoid cross-contamination. Or if safety eye wear, gloves and respirators are frequently used. Again, the good ones will look at you with a glance that communicates, “of course, you idiot.” Or they will simply state affirmatively. The bad ones will duck the question and if you don’t see them practicing good safety, cut the deal loose.

A nasty subject, we know, but some there are some good chunks of wisdom in this piece. Do away with this dark, smelly passenger, mold, and do it correctly.