There’s many calls which we field from new home owners suspecting their is mold or visibly seeing an issue after they moved in. There are some cases upon inspection which have severe growth, or very costly remediation that went undetected by the home inspector. I’ve spent years trying to inform everyone about home inspectors and how most do not do proper inspections or are in the back pocket of the realtor and/or lender. After the mold has been discovered, the new home owner faces unexpected costs after just shelling out thousands and thousands of dollars not only for the home, but also for closing costs, moving companies, etc. How can you avoid this from happening to you? The answer is simple: Getting a Mold Inspection Pre-Sale. Prior to the purchase, it is within your right to have a mold inspection, and such an inspection should be completed by a Mold Inspector instead of the home inspector who is not fully trained in this type of inspection and is only looking to line his pockets a bit more. A certified and insured home inspector, should take air samples and surface samples, primarily in the attic and on the basement joists, to insure that the home doesn’t have any growth or potential issues. Several other inspection options can also aid you in knowing that your investment won’t drain your savings, like Moisture Mapping, Thermal Imaging and doing an Energy Audit. Remember, mold inspections are fairly inexpensive, do not take much time, and can put you in a position to know the home is clean and safe, or give you the proof that there are issues which could cost thousands of dollars, leading you to either renegotiate the price, or walk away.
