As time goes by, and perhaps due to a down economy, more and more fly-by-night mold inspection companies start to pop up. As follows, these companies may appear to be legitimate, claiming to be “certified” and “licensed” in their respective fields. But in reality, they’re about as legitimate as a Nigerian Internet Scam.
But how can the average consumer tell if a mold inspection company is legitimate? In a nutshell, by paying heed to the following criteria:
Ensure their corporate name is registered – legitimate companies have legitimate (registered) businesses and business names. It’s all too easy to register a domain name, buy an “online mold inspection certificate” for a few dollars, get a cell phone, set up a website and call yourself a mold inspection professional.
Business history – ensure the company has a history of providing good service and a solid track record. Asking for references and checking with the Better Business Bureau may save you grief down the road.
General Liability Insurance – at the very minimum, make sure that the company in question has a minimum of 2 million dollars in Errors and Omissions Insurance.
Registered Occupational Hygienist or Certified Industrial Hygienist on Staff Recognized Certifications – If the company in question uses acronyms like CMI (certified mold inspector) and CMR (certified mold remediator), check to see that the certifiying body is legitimate. If it is not from ACAC then it is likely a quick internet print yourself a certificate.
Scope of services – does this company provide only mold services, or like most professional mold inspeciton companies, can it offer a range of other hazardous materials such as air quality problems, asbestos inspections etc.
Further, when looking for an Environmental Removal and Abatement Contractor, look for:
Company name– same criteria applies here as it does for professional mold inspectors.
General Liability Insurance – at the very minimum, make sure that the company in question has a minimum of 2 million dollars in Pollution Control Insurance.
Years of Experience – Asbestos is a “designated substance,” as such, asbestos abaement companies must be registered with the Ontario Government. Most legitimate asbestos abatement companies have 20+ years of experience with both mold and asbestos matters.
Recognized Certifications – IICRC puts out 3 Excellent Certifications including Water Restoration Technician, Applied Microbial Remediation, Applied Structural Drying References
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