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Review Date: December 20, 2013

 

Company Name:

Richard Gray, CMI,CRIE, Certified-Environmental

 

Category:

Mold Testing & Remediation

 

Services Performed:

Yes

* More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed.

 

Work Completed Date:

December 13, 2013

 

Hire Again:

No

 

Approximate Cost:

$39.00

 

Home Build Year:

1975

 

Description Of Work:

Mold and moisture inspection of house.

Member Comments:

I purchased an Angie's List Big Deal for a mold and moisture inspection.

He came out on time, and was polite a professional.  He first asked if there were areas particular concern he should address first.  We explained there were odors and concerns of mold in one of the bathrooms.  He used his moisture meter to look for higher moisture areas around floors, tubs, toilets and under sinks.  He was thorough and reported any areas that demonstrated higher moisture levels to me.

 

However, I was expecting more than just a moisture inspection, as the Big Deal was called a mold inspection.  This inspection was basically a way to get a foot in the door to up-sell his more expensive services.  First he stated that he could not tell if there was mold present until he did an air sample for molds. This would cost an additional $350+.  He used scare tactics, and pressured me to make a decision right then and there for further services, and seemed impatient at my request to do a bit of research first.  I asked if he could prepare a written estimate for me, of costs and procedures, but I have yet to receive an estimate from him.

 

Additionally he offered that whether or not mold existed in the house, he could perform a pasteurization of the entire home for a mere $3000 (half the price of a home in Marin!), and he could certify the house as "mold free."  By now I was showing him the door.

I was expecting to get any information about mold in the home, and so therefore I think the "Mold Inspection" title was a scam and misleading, as I did not receive any information about mold, except how much it cost to maybe find some.  The inspection should more accurately and honestly be called a "moisture inspection," and in my opinion it was worth the cost to determine where leaks existed behind tile and in the floor under vinyl, as getting this information in other ways could cost a lot more.

 

Company Response:

It's sad our service did not meet her expectations. I thought I was very clear, the $39 special offered by Angies List is meant to introduce our services to the Angies List members.

The standard fee for this kind of inspection is $150 which, includes a thorough home inspection for mold, moisture and odors, a written report along with recommendations. I spent over an hour with them on the inspection and did deliver the written report along with recommendations. Everything our $150 home inspection includes.

 

Pasteurization can only be done by a certified and licensed contractor which we are not. The Indoor Air Quality Consortium which we belong, include contractors that do perform standard Remediation and there are other contractors licensed for Pasteurization which at times are recommended, each project has its own specific need.

 

Testing for mold is extremely necessary for residential air quality professionals to make informed determinations as to the potential health threats to the resident. Up-selling is left to salesmen which we are not.