Mold Scams. Is anything really Free???
- IAQs
- Jul 18, 2012
- 2 min read
Updated: May 22
The True Cost of “Free” Mold Inspections
More often than not, “free” comes with a hefty price, and nowhere is that truer than in the mold business.
The safest thing consumers can do when the word “FREE” is used in connection with a mold remediation job is to avoid that contractor altogether. Think about it: no one is in business to work for free. A free mold inspection is usually just a hook to sell expensive—and possibly unnecessary—remediation services.
The Most Common Mold Scam: Free Mold Inspections
Why It's a Conflict of Interest
The biggest mold scam is and always has been mold remediation contractors who perform “free” inspections.This presents a serious conflict of interest because the inspector has a financial motivation to find mold—whether it’s there or not.
Mold remediation is a highly profitable industry, and this practice creates opportunities for fraudulent, exaggerated, or entirely unnecessary work.
Florida Law: Mold Inspection and Remediation Must Be Separate
This tactic isn’t just unethical—it’s illegal. Under Florida Licensing Law, a licensed mold remediator may not perform remediation on any property they inspected.
Know the Law:
Your mold remediator and mold assessor must both be licensed by the State of Florida
One person cannot legally do both jobs on the same project
Scare Tactics and Buzzwords to Watch Out For
Beware of contractors who offer free mold inspections and use fear-based terms like:
“Black Mold”
“Toxic Mold”
“Toxic Black Mold”
No qualified indoor environmental professional uses these terms seriously. They're used to scare homeowners into unnecessary remediation.
What It Takes to Truly Detect Mycotoxins
Understanding the Limitations of Spore Trap Samples
Spore trap samples only identify mold by genus, not by species. It’s like identifying a “feline” without knowing if it’s a house cat or a Bengal tiger.
Accurate Testing Requires:
Culturable samples (viable/living spores)
Collected with a pump, impactor, and agar plates
Requires lab growth time and is more expensive
PCR sampling (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Detects mold DNA with advanced lab processing
Faster but more costly than culture samples
Even with accurate testing, proving that a mycotoxin-producing mold actually produced toxins indoors requires a separate, expensive step.
Don't Fall for "Convenience"—It Can Cost You
Hiring one contractor for everything might seem convenient, but in mold situations, it can cost you thousands.
Key Tip:
Hire a licensed mold inspector who does not do remediation. Ensure they follow the ANSI-approved S-520 standard.
Why ANSI S-520 Matters
The ANSI/IICRC S-520 Standard is the industry’s gold standard for mold remediation. It:
Defines mold conditions:
Condition 1: Normal fungal ecology
Condition 2: Settled spores
Condition 3: Actual mold growth
Helps determine when remediation is needed
Helps confirm remediation success
Shifts away from arbitrary mold count thresholds
Final Reminder: Choose an Unbiased Mold Inspector
A mold inspector should:
Never perform remediation
Never profit from their findings
Never use fear-based language
Always follow professional standards like S-520
About the Author
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
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