|
Mold: Tips for Hiring a Mold Remediation
Contractor/Consultant
(If you are a Mold Remediation
Contractor/Consultant, click
here)
(For a print friendly version of
this page, click
here)
Testing for mold is generally not necessary. If you
can see and smell mold in your home, you have a mold problem. However,
mold is usually a symptom of a bigger problem in a home. Most of the
problems are related to inadequate ventilation and a buildup of
moisture. Homes with high moisture (aka high relative humidity) or
stagnant water are more susceptible to mold growth. To locate the
source or cause of the high humidity or stagnant water, you may need to
hire a consultant or home performance specialist. For a list of Home Performance Consultants
in your area, contact the Wisconsin
Focus on Energy Program (exit DHFS), a not-for-profit organization sponsored by
the State of Wisconsin offering energy information and services to
residential, business, and industrial customers throughout the
state. You can call them at 1-800-762-7077. Home Performance
Consultants conduct indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations, and can determine when
structural issues exist that may be causing mold problems (such as ice
dams, moisture, and heating and cooling complaints). They can help you
understand why mold is growing in your home and what actions you will need
to take to prevent mold growth. IAQ consultants and mold remediation
contractors whose primary focus is mold also exist. For lists of
these, click here:
Indoor
Air Quality (IAQ) Consultants Mold
Remediation Contractors
Many consultants and contractors providing mold inspections and
remediation services are honest, reliable and skilled. However, as with
other consumer services it’s "Buyer Beware." Here are
suggestions on how to find good consultant/contractors:
(This list is based on guidelines provided by the
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection)
- Get more than one estimate. Make sure all parties are bidding on
exactly the same work. Make sure the contractor comes to the job site
rather than giving a telephone estimate. Be leery of an extremely low
estimate. Be cautious of a contractor or consultant that uses SCARE
tactics to make you do more then you really need to have done.
- Ask for the names of the consultant/contractor's recent
customers and call to see if they are satisfied. Would they hire the
contractor again?
- Did the mold consultant provide a written inspection report that
included a summary of all the areas inspected, the cause of the mold
growth, how to take care of the problem and any sampling results? Did
the contractor show up on time, clean up afterward, perform follow-up
service on warranties?
- A building cannot be made mold free. Avoid a contractor who claims
to remove all mold from your building.
- Contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 800-422-7128, and the
Better Business Bureau, 800-273-1002, to find out if complaints were
filed against the consultant or the contractor.
- The firm that conducts the inspection or air sampling should not be
financially related to a firm that conducts the mold remediation due
to a potential conflict of interest. Consulting firms that have a
financial tie to a contractor should disclose
that relationship prior to any contractual agreement.
Ultimately, it is the property owner's responsibility to ask about
such a relationship.
- Laboratories selected for analysis of samples should be either American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) or an U.S. EPA
accredited Laboratory.
If a name appears on the Department of Health and Family Service’s (DHFS)
Indoor Air
Consultants or Mold
Remediation Contractors' lists it does NOT constitute an
endorsement of the company or their capabilities. It also does not imply
preference over other companies not listed. These lists have been compiled
from those contractors and consultants who have provided DHFS with
information on what training they have undergone. The lists are provided as a
resource to those interested in obtaining these specialized services, but
not sure where to begin.
Neither the Federal government nor DHFS certifies consultants or
contractors for conducting mold investigations or removing mold from
buildings. If a consultant or contractor advertises as "State Certified" or
State Endorsed," please refer their name to the Department of
Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Fraud Division (exit DHFS),
1-800-422-7128, for deceptive
trade practices.
For general information and tips on hiring contractors, visit the
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) (exit DHFS).
Follow the links below to view lists of contractors and consultants:
List of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
consultants (pdf file)
List of mold remediation contractors
(pdf file)
List of
Home Performance Specialists (exit DHFS)
For more information, contact your local
health department, or call the Wisconsin Division of Public Health,
Bureau of Environmental Health, at (608) 266-1120.
Back to Mold Home Page
Back to Environmental Health Resources
|
