The core questions

Ask every contractor the same set so their answers are easy to compare.

  1. What do you believe is the moisture source, and who will fix it before rebuilding?
  2. How large an area do you expect to remove, and how will you decide whether to go further once walls are open?
  3. How will you contain the work area from the rest of the house, including the furnace and return air?
  4. Which materials will be removed and which cleaned in place, and why?
  5. Does anything in the scope need asbestos or lead testing first, given the age of this house?
  6. How will you dry the structure, and what moisture readings will you use to decide it is dry?
  7. Do your technicians hold mold remediation training such as IICRC certification, and can you describe it?
  8. Do you carry liability insurance that covers mold work, and can I see the certificate?
  9. Will you provide a written scope, photos during the job, and a final report?
  10. How will the job end: visual inspection, independent testing, or both, and who chooses the tester?

Clear answers versus vague ones

Topic
Moisture source
Answer that shows care
Names a likely cause and says the work waits until it is fixed
Answer worth questioning
Says the treatment will handle it regardless of the source
Topic
Scope
Answer that shows care
Gives square footage and materials in writing, with a plan for surprises
Answer worth questioning
Offers a single number without describing the work
Topic
Containment
Answer that shows care
Describes plastic barriers, sealed vents and negative air
Answer worth questioning
Says containment is not needed for this size of job without explaining why
Topic
Older materials
Answer that shows care
Raises asbestos or lead testing for a mid-century house
Answer worth questioning
Dismisses the question entirely
Topic
Completion
Answer that shows care
Defines dryness and cleanliness criteria before starting
Answer worth questioning
Promises a mold-free home forever

Reasons to pause before signing

  • Pressure to sign the same day because the mold is dangerous
  • No written scope, or a scope that lists only products and not materials
  • The same company testing, remediating and clearing its own work, without explanation
  • Reluctance to put the moisture source in writing
  • No mention of containment for work inside living space
  • Unwillingness to share proof of insurance

Common questions

Should I ask for references?

Yes. Ask for recent jobs similar in size and in houses of similar age to yours, and ask those homeowners whether the moisture problem stayed fixed.

General information for Hilltop, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.