Normally, with any mold contamination that is over about 10 SF or the actual contamination is unknown an independent third party company qualified and certified to conduct mold inspections must initially come out. They will do moisture testing, air samples, tape lift samples and visual investigations as necessary based on their training and expertise in the given environment. They are certified, qualified and trained to evaluate all of their findings and test results and determine what the extent of mold contamination is and write up a mold remediation plan to safely remove the contamination.

Once the report is written then the mold remediation contractor(s) of your choice receive(s) the actual report that describes the areas tested, the findings and the recommendations. This needs to be done to follow current industry standards and guidelines. Paragon Restoration is actually a certified mold remediation contractor and handles the actual physical safe removal of the mold. It is seen as a conflict of interest in the mold remediation industry to conduct both the testing and actual remediation. Basically, I can provide customers with free mold remediation estimates once the plan is written up by the third party company following their protocol in conjunction with our experience and training. Does this make sense to you? Here is the normal status quo:

1. The independent third party company conducts an actual on site mold specific inspection that includes testing as necessary.
2. The independent third party company gets lab results, analyzes them and figures out what the extent of remediation needs to be. They normally actually write up a remediation plan that needs to be followed by the mold remediation contractor. This plan says what materials need to be removed, what materials need to be cleaned and treated and how, etc.
3. The mold remediation contractor gets a copy of the report and comes out and measures out the affected areas, figures out the logistics and can provide you with a free estimate for the actual mold remediation work.
4. You choose your contractor and they complete the remediation work following the third company parties plan.
5. Then, any reputable mold remediation contractor such as Paragon Certified Restoration is going to require that the independent third party testing company return and conduct a post/clearance test to the affected areas. This will include both visual and actual air and tape lift samples as they deem necessary. Basically, they make sure the job was completed properly following current industry guidelines and standards. This ensures that the mold contamination has been removed and the interior air levels are at normal levels and normal molds for the interior environment.
6. The third party company gets lab results back and in most cases the post test is passed and a legal documentation report is sent out from the third party company that states that the affected areas are back to a “Condition One” or normal indoor air environment as defined by the IICRC S520 guidelines.

Thus, ultimately you have the elevated mold contamination safely removed, you have it professionally verified and you have legal documentation demonstrating this for safety and liability reasons.