Choosing a Mold Remediator
No one needs a mold remediator on a great day. Something happened and you need someone there right now to get rid of the mold. That sense of urgency is real but you should make informed, intentional decisions when choosing a remediator.
Here are 5 things to look for when choosing a remediation contractor:
Proper licensing
Your remediation contractor should hold a specific license in mold remediation. That seems obvious enough and yet there are many unlicensed companies performing mold removal who are not trained, certified, or licensed in proper mold remediation practices. A mold remediator should hold a license that begins with MRSR and nothing else. That is not just our opinion, that is Florida law.
Conflicts of interest
Your remediation contractor should also have no conflicts of interest. Remediators and assessors are legally allowed to hold both licenses but prohibited from performing both services on the same property… unless they have separate legal business entities. The statute was written to prevent remediators from unnecessarily increasing their scope of remediation work through the subjective nature of mold assessments. We stand by the spirit of the law and recommend complete independence regardless of loopholes.
Post remediation verification
A PRV is where an assessor conducts air and sometimes surface samples within the contained area of the mold remediation project to verify the problem has been resolved. A reputable remediator should welcome this as it “proves” they’ve done their job well. Most customers also want this for peace of mind. We recommend a PRV by an independent mold assessor, ideally the same one who wrote the protocol to ensure continuity.
Insurance documentation
A good remediator documents everything. Whether mold is covered by your insurance policy depends on your policy and it’s constantly changing in Florida. If the remediation is part of a claim, a good remediator will keep moisture logs, take progress pictures, and stay in communication with the adjuster. When they estimate the job, they should be taking pictures and moisture readings and their estimate should align with the protocol provided by the assessor.
Scare tactics
We are always skeptical when we hear of remediators using scare tactics on homeowners (this goes for fellow assessors too). It is reasonable to have concerns about air quality and mold inside your living space but some companies take advantage of fear. We recommend being cautious with contractors who overuse “toxic black mold” or imply that the mold is going to cause immediate structural damage and the whole house will collapse. We also advise caution with remediation contractors who offer free mold inspections.