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Mold SCAMS and TOXIC FRAUD If you are reading this, then chances are you were not born yesterday...and based on that I bet you would agree that this is not a perfect world. That being said, first start by not trusting everyone just because they have a website...and that includes us! Now that we have that settled, if you have a mold problem, what you are about to read will help you avoid being taken advantage of and could even save you thousands
of dollars.
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The Indoor Environmental Industry (Mold Industry), like any other industry, has seen its fair share of scams, flip flops, cons, and yes even rip off artists each trying to benefit from your lack of knowledge about Indoor Environmental Industry.
When you look, they are easy to find...especially if you read this information...here's a hint of some of the worst perpetrators of toxic and mold scams:
IN FIRST PLACE - The "We do it all for you" scammers.
It goes something like this..."we not only inspect and find your mold problem, but we also are the ones who will clen you out, I mean clean it out"
Who are they? Mold Removal/Remediators who also
offer mold inspections and mold testing services.
IN SECOND PLACE - The "We handle your clearance for you" scammers.
These are the Mold Remediators/Contractors who lead you to believe that they want to "help" you by including a CLearance Certificate at completion....in other words "we saw mold, we cleaned the mold, and we did a great job, trust us!" Are you kidding me?
RUN, don't walk!
Believe me, just say "NO THANKS!" In many states (including Florida effective 3/2011) doing both the Inspection as well as the Remediation (removal) is illegal. So until then, if you are being told that your inspector will also do the mold removal (or visa-versa) just say NO THANKS. The good thing to know is there are plenty of quality Hygienists and Remediators available that don't both.
It goes without saying, more than ever, watch out for the folks that offer FREE inspections. That's a major red flag! What have you always been told? FREE is very expensive! These contractors use the "If we see find a mold problem and you use us to remove the problem, we will pay for the inspection for you."...REALLY?
While we are on the FREE bandwagon, keep your distance from contractors
who offer "FREE" clearance testing also, (which is equivalent to grading
their own homework). The most CRITICAL part of the process of detecting and removing mold is known as "The Clearance" or PRV (Post Remedial Verification). It is at this phase that the Hygienist (inspector or assessor) will return post the removal of the mold to issue a verdict of whether the work was done properly...if you allow the removal contractor to do it you could be sealing your own fate. Let this part be done by YOUR Hygienist...one that YOU SELECT! Don't fall for it!
HOW TO AVOID BEING SCAMMED.
The best way to avoid getting scammed is to avoid using
mold removal contractors for mold inspections.
SBS is not in the
mold removal business. We only INSPECT...so it goes without saying that we therefore have no vested interest in
how your inspection and testing comes out. Basically, we call it as we see ut. In the end, our position is always
unbiased and neutral. LISTEN...even if you don't choose to use us for your
inspection and testing needs, atleast be 100% sure that whoever you do choose is not
looking for repair work for himself.
What follows may help you avoid becoming a TOXIC STATISTIC and will ensure that your environmental concerns are handled ethically, honestly and most of all professionally. So take the time
to read what follows, and if you have any questions, please call us FIRST.
STEER CLEAR OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. COnfirm that the mold
inspector you hire and put your trust in is not also in the mold removal (remediation) business.
As has been already said, in states which have licenses for Mold Inspection and Mold Remediation firms, it is not only considered a conflict of interest, but is also ILLEGAL...there must be a good reason. At SBS, we firmly believe that it's a serious conflict of interest for the company
or individual you pay and trust to "inspect" for mold also participates and profits from the "removal"
of mold. The question is; how can you ever truly be sure that they are
not creating more work for themselves - work that doesn't really
need to be done? Be alert, the opportunity for corruption is far too great.
Don't set yourself up to be "set up for toxic fraud and
possibly scammed into spending thousands of your hard erned dollars which you probably din't need to spend because some scammer talked you into letting them do both. Make sure the person you hire for mold inspections has no
financial enjoyment or affiliation with the mold removal contractor you select....AND VISE VERSA!
EXPERIENCE IS KING...and everyone else you should send packing! Check your remediation
contractor's experienced and references.
Under no circumstances should you ever take anyone's word for it when it comes to dishing out your cash...which in some cases might even be tens of thousands of dollars for remediation
work. So take the time to review their credentials and ask for references for jobs that are at at the very least 10 to 12 months
old. Why you ask? Like anything, everything looks great when new and that is no exception in mold remediation. Mold remediation jobs always look great immediately after they are finished. But if remediation work is not done correctly,
you may not notice it for several months. If the Clearance was done properly, and you have been assured that the work was done properly and to industry standards, if mold has not reoccured in that time, most probably the work was done correctly. If the contractor gets offend by your request, say bye-bye buddy!
Keep the trades doing their trade...meaning hire a mold remediator to
remediate mold...then hire a remodeler or GC to remodel or rebuild.
It is estimated that remodeling or reconstruction done by the remediator can at times be approximately three
to four times higher that the exact same remodeling project without mold remediation.
So, even though at first look it would seem that you are saving time by letting one guy do it all, you may be spending far more than you would had you hired a mold remediator that only does remediation and a GC or remodeler to handle to "build back". Some remediation contractors may insist on doing all the work, or threaten to do none at all. Like my daddy used to say, "there are plenty of big fish in the ocean, so why keep the little ones". And lest we forget, remember to have a post-remediation verification/clearance test
done before you pay your remediation contractor. A good rule of thumb is to set progress payments with the last being upon successful completion as declared by a favorable Clearance Certificate.
Remediators Remediate, Hygienists issue Clearance. Meaning, never ever permit the one who remediates to provide clearance testing for his own remediation work.
I'm sure that when your remediator offers to "save you time and money" by offering to provide a "FREE clearance
testing" after they're work is complete sounds like a nice gesture, but don't
fall for it. If you were paying attention to the previous point (Num 3 above) you probably have already realized why this is a REALLY BAD IDEA. In the end, the only reason they do that is so they pass their own
work and get paid...dispite any possible mistakes. Other reasons are that they may have negotiated a firm
price in order to get the work in the first place...and if a Hygienist or third
party inspector fails this post-remediation clearance test, they
would need to keep coming back until the job gets done right. Furthermore, always insist on third party post-remediation
clearance testing and be absolutely sure that your agreement with the contractor
states in writting that they will come back and correct the work if it fails...no matter how many times it fails.
And for Heaven's Sake, don't settle the account until you see the clearance report
in writing.
Abra Cadabra is a bad thing...especially in this business, so never allow the remediation
contractor to "encapsulate" prior to Clearance being issued!
Beware of "encapsulating"
or "encapsulation" unless your Hygienist has requested it. Put more plainly, it is the practice of some remediators to "cover" the problem with a product that they paint over mold. Industry guidelines are pretty much black and white when it comes to this one point - if you see mold "REMOVE IT". "Encapsulating" mold by painting over it is
just another way to cover up any mold that was not removed. Are you
starting to get it? Encapsulation is a scam.
We hope this information was helpful. If you have any other questions or concerns, call us and we will give you the skinny...no slight of hands, no double talk, just straight answers that you can repeat without an interpreter!
All these scams can be avoided
by hiring Step By Step, SE Florida's most trusted Indoor Environmental Forensic Assessment company.
If you suspect you have a mold problem, whether mold is
visible or not, one call to Step By Step is all it takes to be sure.
Our only interest is in providing our clients with
accurate reporting of the data we collect in the course of the inspection
process and reliable results of mold tests and samples.
Available, dependable, and on-time.
Call us today to schedule an appointment with an
experienced SBS Mold Certified inspector to provide you with the
information necessary to make an educated home purchase decision
by increasing your understanding of the strengths and weaknesses
of the home.
