What You Need To Know About Residential Mold Assessment

AMD Environmental Consultants performs environmental services at properties of all sizes. Our experienced team provides professional services for mold inspection, mold and allergen testing, and preventive maintenance.

Our residential clients typically have four questions about mold assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I have a mold assessment?

You should have a mold assessment when:

You see growth or staining, or you suspect mold growth in your home
You are selling your home and have a pending building inspection
You have water damage that remains wet for longer than 72 hours
You smell unusual odors
Your home has more than 10 square feet of contiguous growth (mold that shares or touches a common border)

The New York State Department of Labor sets guidelines to protect consumers. Article 32, Title 2: Minimum Work Standards for the Conduct of Mold Assessments and Remediation by Licensed Persons establishes a mold growth and remediation baseline.

Article 32 matters when a person has more than 10 square feet of contiguous mold growth because the guidance establishes responsibility for a plan of action.

If you have more than 10 square feet of contiguous mold growth, AMD Environmental Consultants will:

Identify if you have mold and assess the extent of the problem
Determine why you have mold growth (pinpoint the cause)
Remedy the growth by making suggestions for moisture control
Design a remedy for the cause of growth, complete with a set of specifications for the clean up (a mitigation contractor will set the cost)
Assign a (legally required) budget for mold remediation to protect you as the consumer and establish “clearance criteria” to which the mold contractor has to meet for project completion

One point to note is that identifying where there is growth differs from why there is growth. For example, the AMD team will determine if there is an issue with the home’s foundation or somewhere else?

2. What is the average cost of a mold assessment?

The average cost for a proper residential mold assessment ranges from $300 -$600.

A mold assessment includes the five major components outlined in the previous section. Most people, however, do not realize that asbestos may also need to be assessed. Asbestos adds to the cost. Here’s why; governing agencies may require asbestos testing before removing any mold-related materials. For instance, New York State requires asbestos testing before removing mold-affected structures or walls in a house built before 1974.

AMD Environmental Consultants takes a proactive approach to avoid holding up the mold remediation process. Our team takes asbestos samples during the mold assessment because it is CHEAPER for our residential clients this way. Our lab will already have the asbestos samples if the mold-affected materials need removal.

3. What can I expect from a mold assessment?

Some residential mold assessments require only a visual inspection of the affected areas. Other assessments are more involved and may require:

Thermal Imaging Technology
Relative humidity reading
Moisture mapping
Floor plan drawings of affected areas
Photo documentation
Air samples
Surface analysis

AMD’s clients receive a written report outlining the assessment findings and recommendations.

There are additional costs associated with project “clearance” if mitigation is required. Clearance is an essential piece of the process since many people do not realize that the consulting company is responsible for verifying the work.

Post-clearance costs range between $200 – $350 for residential assessments.

Whatever the consultant determined was necessary before mitigation and mold removal determines the post-clearance variables. For example, if drainage was determined to be a problem, that area may need to be checked post-mitigation.

4. What should I do with the results of my mold assessment?

AMD Environmental Consultants will provide a crystal clear plan for you. Our team is ready for everything and anything that results from the assessment.