Finding mold in your home can seem scary, and it can affect your health.
It not only looks bad, but mold can cause physical symptoms, including wheezing, irritation, and shortness of breath. The safest option when you find mold is to a mold remediation company handle the work.
Choosing between multiple mold removal companies doesn’t have to be difficult. Knowing how to evaluate the options lets you find a company that knows how to safely and effectively get rid of the mold and repair any damage it causes.
Keep reading to learn 7 tips for finding the right mold remediation company for your home.
1. Ask About Experience
The amount of experience a mold remediation company has is one of the most important factors. You want a company that’s familiar with safe mold removal strategies and has the proper equipment to remove the mold and dry out your home.
Ask about the experience of individual technicians as well. A company that’s been in business for years is a good sign, but you also want to know that the technicians are trained and experienced.
Another way to check on experience is to ask about certifications. The IICRC has a certification for mold removal specialists. Other industry organizations offer certifications that show experience and care for industry standards.
2. Determine Available Services
All mold remediation companies should handle basic mold removal, but the specific services they offer can vary significantly. Some handle extensive testing before and after the mold removal, which can determine what type of mold it is and whether or not the mold problem is gone.
Many mold removal companies also handle water damage restoration. Since mold grows in damp places, there’s a good chance that you also have a water problem. That could involve leaking pipes, flooding, or other causes.
To keep the mold away for good, you need to dry out your home and fix whatever problems led to the mold growth. Hiring one company that can handle all of the work can make your life easier.
Some mold companies also handle general restoration once the mold is removed. They’ll try to clean up the mold and salvage the structure, but sometimes the mold problem is too severe. If they also handle construction, the company can handle the structural repair.
3. Get a Quote
Mold issues can be much more complicated than originally thought, but mold remediation companies should be able to give you a quote for the cost of services. You’ll likely find most companies are within a similar range, but you might find some that are much higher or lower.
Mold companies that are much lower than the rest of the companies in the area should send up a red flag. You don’t want to save money at the risk of your health or damage to your home. Under priced mold remediation companies might not have the proper equipment, know how to handle mold well, or follow safety standards.
If one company is priced significantly higher than others, consider what you’re getting. They might offer additional services or safety precautions that the other companies don’t offer.
For all companies, ensure you know exactly what you’re getting for the price. For example, some companies might do testing before and after the mold removal while others might not include that in their base price.
4. Check the Company’s Reputation
The mold remediation company can tell you how great they are, but the real proof comes from their past customers. You can request references from the company or check their website for customer testimonials.
Another way to get impartial opinions is to check out the company’s online reputation. Look at online review sites to see the overall rating score the company gets.
Don’t expect a perfect score. Some customers will never give out a 5-star rating no matter how good the company is. Look at the overall rating, which is more accurate with a higher number of ratings.
Then look at comments and written reviews people have left for the company. Do you see repeated complaints or praise for the company? This can give you an idea of how good they are or areas where they might not perform well.
5. Request Proof of Insurance
Anytime you have a company work on your home, you need to check for proper liability and worker’s compensation insurance. The liability coverage protects your home if the company does damage while they’re removing mold. The technicians that work on your home are covered by worker’s compensation if they get injured on the job.
Never hire a mold remediation company without proper insurance. You can request a copy of the insurance certificate and call the insurance company to make sure the policy is still in effect.
6. Investigate Safety
The methods the company uses affect how safe the mold removal process is. To protect the rest of the home from mold, the company should seal off the affected area to keep the spores from spreading through the air. Ensure the mold removal methods they use are safe for your home.
Ask about the safety gear the employees use while removing mold. Look for a company that uses protective gear, including face masks and gloves, to keep their technicians safe.
7. Ask About Guarantees
Mold can be tricky to get rid of completely. If the root issue isn’t handled properly, the mold can grow again. Mold can also come back if the remediation company misses some of the initial growth.
Ask the company if they guarantee their work after the initial remediation process. Do they do any kind of testing after they’re done to check for any lingering mold? If mold growth comes back, will they return to remove it for you?
If the company doesn’t guarantee their work, you might want to question their experience and quality of work. You could end up paying a lot more if you have to hire another company to handle the mold recurrence after the initial mold remediation.
Choosing Mold Removal Companies
Since mold can become a health issue, it’s important to choose reputable mold removal companies from the beginning. Doing your research can help you find a mold remediation company that’s reliable and experienced to deal with the problem the right way.
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