If you’re getting a home inspection, you’ll want to make sure you get mold testing done. Home inspection mold testing is an important step in the home buying process, as the presence of mold can cause lung infections, congestion, and other illnesses. Long exposure to mold can have even more serious side effects.
Be sure to ask any home inspection company if their home inspectors check for mold, and, if so, how they will be testing.
Can Home Inspectors Detect Mold?
Does a home inspector check for mold? Yes, some inspectors are Certified to test for mold. This is an important question to ask upfront to the home inspection company you choose to hire.
At the Elite Group, our home inspectors are Certified to test for mold. A home inspector that tests for mold can be a valuable asset to the prospective buyer or the seller.
For example, if a home inspector does not test for mold they will simply just point out the stains inside the property and recommend a mold specialist evaluate. This leaves the buyer to hire another Certified Mold Inspector to visit the property with prices ranging from approximately $300- $500 just to visit the property and then $75- $125 per sample taken. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process.
On the other hand, inspectors that are certified to test for mold can offer reduced fees for service as they are already at the property. Our company, when noticing a mold-like substance, will offer to swab the sample and send it to the lab.
How Do Home Inspectors Test for Mold?
How does a home inspector check for mold? Generally, the inspector will use a moisture meter to determine if there is active moisture near the mold-like substance.
The buyer will only have to pay $25 for the lab processing fee if the inspector thinks mold is present. This saves time, money, and provides the buyer with actionable information.
Keep in mind, a mold swab will only identify the type of mold present. If the buyer chooses they can have indoor air quality testing to identify if the spores are airborne. These prices start at $225.
Always verify that whatever home inspection company you hire looks for mold during their inspection.
That’s a good idea to check for mold. I wouldn’t want to buy a house to find out that it was infested with mold. I’ll make sure to get an inspector that could look for that if I buy a house.