How to Choose a Mold Testing Company

Joseph L. Sbarra, CIH

Mold Expert and Certified Industrial Hygienist with > 35 years experience

OK, you have a concern about mold in your home.  So how do you go about choosing a mold testing company when there are literally hundreds of mold testing and mold remediation companies?
 
I have some good news!  Armed with some good information, you can feel confident that you have found the right company for the job.

Licensing and Certifications

Did you know that in only a few states in the U.S. have regulations and licensing for mold testing and remediation?  Therefore, if you live in a state that does not have mold licensing, any Tom, Dick, or Harry can say “I’m a mold tester!” 
 
States that have licensing for mold include New York, Florida, Texas, and the District of Columbia. State licenses generally involve several days of training, passing a closed-book exam, and periodic refresher training. 
 
A certified industrial hygienist (CIH) is the “gold standard” of certifications as it relates to mold.  Industrial Hygiene is the science of protecting and enhancing the health and safety of people at work and in their communities.  An industrial hygienist is dedicated to anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling chemical, physical, and biological hazards (that includes mold!).  A CIH is someone who has:

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering that includes a minimum number of academic hours in industrial hygiene fundamentals, toxicology, measurements and controls, and 2 hours of ethics training.
• A minimum of 4 years of industrial hygiene practice.
• Passed a rigorous 2-day closed-book examination.
• Maintains continuing education.

 
You should also be aware and beware of “certifications” for mold inspectors.  These are generally offered by trade organizations and are primarily one day or on-line classes, with open book exams.  These so-called ‘certifications” are not considered to be significant within the industrial hygiene profession because just about anyone can obtain one.

Who Not to Choose

Let’s talk about who you should not choose to conduct your mold testing:

• Mold Remediation Companies – Hiring a remediation company to conduct your mold testing is the biggest mistake you can make.  Plain and simple, doing both the testing and remediation it is a CONFLICT OF INTEREST.  The concern is that they may say you have a mold problem that is bigger than it really is and sell you remediation services that are not necessary.  Remember, their focus is to make money on mold remediation, so asking them do the testing is like letting the fox guard the hen house.  

 
Tip:  No reputable mold remediation company will perform mold testing.  In states like New York that have licensing for mold, it is prohibited for the mold remediation company to perform mold testing and assessment.

• Home Inspectors – Most home inspectors do not conduct mold testing, but there are a few who offer the service.  They may collect mold samples, but that’s about it.  They are not industrial hygiene or mold professionals, they are not experts.  That means that you will only get laboratory results, but not a true assessment of the mold condition or recommendations for corrective action and/or remediation.

Who Should I Choose?

Since it’s a virtual “Wild West” out there when it comes to mold, who can you trust to come into your home or business and tell you what’s really going on?
 
My advice is for you to choose a professional, Industrial Hygiene company that specializes in mold inspection and assessment.  The Industrial Hygiene company is an independent 3rd party who works for YOU! not the mold remediation company or the insurance company.
 
Notice that I didn’t say mold testing, because simply testing and reporting that mold is present leaves you with the same problem that you started with, only you have a laboratory test that shows some type and quantity of mold is present. 
 
Elements of a Mold Inspection/Assessment

A mold assessment involves much more than testing.  The elements of a mold assessment should include the following:

1. Visual Assessment
2. Thermal Imaging
3. Moisture Measurement 
4. Mold Testing
5. Results Analysis and Discussion
6. Recommendations

Step-by-Step Process

Here’s a step-by-step process you can follow to choose an Industrial Hygiene company to conduct a mold inspection/assessment:


1.  Start with a phone call to discuss your concerns.  A good company will ask you several questions about your situation to get enough detail to develop a proposal or quote.


2.   Ask for a written proposal.  The written proposal should have the following:

• Background information.
• The methodology to be used for the assessment, this would be the scope of work.  These would include the elements of the mold assessment listed above with a description of each.
• Identification of laboratory and their accreditation.  For mold analysis, I recommend that the laboratory be accredited by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) for environmental microbiology.  Here is the link to check: https://online.aihaaccreditedlabs.org/lapssa/f?p=AIHASSA:117800  Select the EMLAP in the Program search box. 
• Cost Proposal that includes:  labor, cost per sample and sample turnaround time, mold remediation plan and/or report.  The sample turnaround time should be 24 hours from the time the laboratory receives the sample because the price difference for longer times (48 or 72 hours) is negligible. 

Tip:  If the cost per sample for 24-hour turnaround is a lot more than 48 or 72 hours, you are getting ripped off!!


3.  Ask for a copy of the resume of the mold inspector/assessor.  Look for experience, qualifications, and credentials:  the more, the better.  A more experienced person will cost more than a technician, but it’s worth the money.  If you can have a CIH (certified industrial hygienist) conduct the inspection/assessment, that would be ideal for you. 

Tip:  Try to avoid selecting an Industrial Hygiene company who will send a technician to conduct the assessment and then have a senior staff member review and sign the report.  It’s very difficult to write a mold assessment report or mold remediation plan when you were not present to do the visual assessment, thermal imaging, moisture measurement, or mold testing.  Invariably, an inexperienced technician is going to miss something. 


4.  Review everything, especially the cost proposal.  If you are unsure about something, ask the Industrial Hygiene company about it.  Here are some things to watch out for:

• Travel charges – you should not pay for these.
• Staff charges other than the mold assessor – Ask what they are for.  Do you think you should pay for it?  I advise not paying for things like quality control, peer review, project management, etc.  
• Mold Remediation Plan – There should be line item for this.  If mold remediation is needed, then you are going to need a written plan for a mold remediation company to follow.  Generally, the more complex and complicated the job is, the higher the cost for the plan.  Look for a flat fee cost for this item.  If a plan is not needed, then you should not be paying for this.
• Reports – Does the cost proposal include a report?  If it does, you should expect to pay for it.  Again, it should be a line item and a flat fee.  A mold assessment report includes the 6 Elements of a Mold Assessment discussed earlier.  Depending upon your situation, you may need one in addition to a mold remediation plan. 

Scam Alert! – Some companies will charge you for a “report” and simply give you a copy of the laboratory results, which you have already paid for!  Some laboratory reports contain rudimentary interpretation, or even may indicate that removal is recommended.  But a laboratory report lacks the key elements of a mold assessment report, especially since it does not have a discussion about findings and results or any detailed recommendations. Below is an example of a laboratory report:


5.  Sign a contract.  Ask if the Industrial Hygiene company if it carries insurance for professional liability; if not, you may be limiting your rights if there is a problem.

 
I trust and hope that you find this information helpful in your search for a mold testing company.

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