Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Florida Mold Remediator
Mold remediation is difficult for a homeowner to evaluate. Much of the work happens behind plastic sheeting, and the result is something you mostly cannot see. That makes the conversation before you sign the most important part of the process. The questions below will help you compare companies on substance rather than on price or a persuasive sales visit.
Licensing and insurance
- Are you licensed for mold remediation in Florida? The state licenses mold remediators and mold assessors as separate professions. Ask for the license number and verify it yourself through the state's online license lookup.
- What insurance do you carry? Ask for a certificate of insurance and whether the policy specifically covers mold work, since some general policies exclude it.
- Who will actually be in my home? Find out whether the crew are employees or subcontractors and who supervises the job on site.
Who assesses and who remediates
This question separates careful companies from careless ones. In Florida, mold assessment and mold remediation on the same property must be done by separate companies. The purpose is to remove the conflict of interest in having the business that profits from the work also decide how much work is needed.
- Do you perform testing or write the assessment? A remediation company should tell you that testing, air sampling and written assessment reports come from an independent licensed mold assessor.
- Will you follow an assessor's protocol if I have one? If you already hired an assessor, the remediator should work from that document.
Be cautious with any company that offers to test, remediate and then clear its own work on the same property.
How the work will be done
- How will you contain the area? Expect a description of plastic barriers sealing off the work zone and of air machines that keep that zone under negative pressure, so that disturbed spores are not pushed into the rest of the home.
- What filtration do you use? HEPA-filtered air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums are standard.
- What will be removed and what will be cleaned? Porous materials with growth, such as drywall, insulation and carpet padding, are generally removed. Solid wood framing and hard surfaces can often be cleaned. Ask them to be specific.
- How do you protect the AC system? Vents in the work area should be sealed, and the system should not circulate air from the contained space.
- How is debris taken out? Bagged and sealed inside the containment, not carried loose through the living room.
- How do you make sure it is dry? Remaining materials should be dried and checked with a moisture meter before anything is closed up.
Be wary of a plan that consists mainly of spraying or fogging a product. Chemicals do not replace the physical removal of contaminated material.
The moisture source
Mold returns if the water does. Ask directly:
- What caused this, in your view? A company that cannot point to a likely source has not finished looking.
- Who fixes it? A roof leak, plumbing failure or AC issue may need a separate licensed trade. Clarify whether that is coordinated or left to you, and in what order the work happens.
The written scope and the price
- Can I have the scope in writing? It should list the areas, the materials to be removed, the steps involved and the expected duration.
- What does the estimate visit cost, and is it credited? Ask before scheduling, so there are no surprises.
- What could change the price? Growth frequently extends farther than what is visible once a wall is opened. Ask how additional work is approved and priced.
- Does this include rebuilding? Many remediation scopes end at clean, dry, open walls. Find out who replaces drywall, baseboards and cabinets.
- What are the payment terms? Be careful with requests for full payment up front.
Verification and paperwork
- How is the result verified? Post-remediation verification, when you want it, should be performed by an independent licensed mold assessor rather than by the company that did the work.
- What documentation will I receive? Photos before, during and after, plus a description of the work completed, are useful for your records, for an insurance claim and for a future sale.
- What should I expect about insurance? Coverage varies widely by policy. A contractor can provide documentation, but should not promise what your insurer will pay. Read your policy and speak with your agent.
Warning signs
- Pressure to sign the same day, or claims meant to frighten you
- A price given over the phone with no site visit
- No mention of containment or of the moisture source
- Promises that mold will never return
- Vague answers about licensing or insurance
Put the questions to work
A reputable company will answer all of these without hesitation, and you are welcome to ask us every one. To request an on-site remediation estimate, visit drymiami.com or call (954) 778-7999. The visit is $79, credited in full toward the job if you hire DryMiami.
Mold problem at home?
We come out, find the moisture source and give you a written remediation estimate. The visit is $79, credited in full toward your job if you hire us.
