As a rough guideline, a mold inspection costs about the same as a regular home inspection, the kind you do when you buy a new home. A small leak may not seem like a big deal, but if the surrounding areas have been damp or wet for a period of time (possibly even longer than you knew), a mold inspection is a good plan. Many people decide to inspect mold before buying a home for their own safety and financial protection. If you're buying or selling an older home, you'll want to make sure you hire a professional mold inspector or, if you're the buyer, make sure the seller has inspected and approved the home before you list it for sale.
A basic inspection takes approximately 2 hours, while a detailed inspection of the entire structure can take up to 6 hours. It is better to inspect and treat the area where the leak made mold growth likely than to look for a larger outbreak later. Attics, mezzanines, HVAC vents, and even behind drywall can be examined during a mold inspection appointment. The best way to test your home for mold is to contact a professional mold inspector who can more effectively test your home and evaluate the test results for you.
Additional samples and follow-up tests can cost more, so it's important to know what's included in your contract when you hire a mold inspection and testing professional. Professional mold inspectors are highly skilled workers who are experts at locating potential spots in your home that could facilitate mold growth. Stachybotrys chartarum mold is one of the most dangerous types and is what people know as “black mold”. In addition to seeing mold obviously, there are several different reasons to consider getting a mold inspection at home.
A good mold inspector will provide you with a thorough analysis of the various molds present in your home and their respective levels. If mold is suspected in the home, the inspector will conduct a full and thorough inspection and take at least two samples. Wet drywall may re-solidify after drying, but a warped panel is a sure sign that there has been enough moisture for mold to grow, so an inspection will identify mold on the wall itself or hiding behind it. After all, inspecting a 6,000 square foot home takes longer than inspecting a 3,000 square foot home.
Sellers will want to remedy before they put the house on the market; dealing with the problem is a good faith gesture, and a clean mold report will allow you to answer mold disclosure questions honestly and will look much better for potential buyers than having a home inspector test reveal a problem that later became part of the negotiations.
