Whether you are a landlord or homeowner, you probably have undergone significant remodeling plans or expect to do so in the future. Unfortunately, unwanted substances like mold, mildew, asbestos, or other dangerous materials in a house or apartment are notorious for delaying or canceling your plans. What is worse is that in addition to your problem, you’ll have to go through the hassle of finding a contractor to fix it completely. That is a challenge in it of itself. One could argue in saying that finding the right contractors can be an overwhelming process as the internet provides a plethora of options.
Unsurprisingly, many property owners search for local companies that appear on the first page of Google. Unfortunately, this indicator alone is not enough as there have been numerous cases where handymen or restoration firms fake their positive reviews. Keep an eye out for that when utilizing their digital presence as a vetting mechanism for sticking to the right contractors.
No matter what option you go with when it comes to mold removal of asbestos abatement, you have a plethora of options. However, it comes with a caveat. How do you know that the contractors you hired aren’t going to honor their word and deliver on what they advertised? That is the million-dollar question.
Understand What The Remediation Contractor Offers
While it may be the case that many companies offer a full-service procedure that includes inspection, an assessment, & then an abatement. However, many do not include all those steps in one bundle. Some are specialists and don’t even do some aspects of a restoration job. Therefore, you must ask what they offer beforehand. Also, it doesn’t hurt to know the extent of their experience. As with anything else, the more seasoned a contractor is at their job, the more likely you are to have an abatement and remediation process without any issues.
To avoid having fungi grow in your home, try opening it up when the weather is tolerable. Mold and mildew thrive, you have a stuffy & closed off residential area. Opening the windows can be one of the simplest & effective solutions. Plus, you do not have to do it on a budget as there are tons of resources on the web that show you how to resolve this issue without breaking the bank.
Diverse Experience is Huge When Taking Care of Mold or Asbestos
This factor may not be a surprise as it always better to hire professional mold removal contractors that have seen it all. The last thing you would need is an unlicensed contracting team messing up your home. For example, a licensed and due diligent restoration expert should know wherein a building does dangerous materials as asbestos grow. Many times, these inspections are the essential steps that can save you from having to do a full structural restoration as opposed to a partial one.
Speaking of Licenses, Double Check They Have One From This Organization: IICRC
Originally called IICUC (International Institute of Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Inc), the IICRC formed in 1972. For more than thirty-year, it has been the flagship organization for establishing standards & certifications in cleaning, restoration, inspection, & installation services in the US changed its name to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification.
As a property owner, it may seem obvious that you would prefer someone who is licensed as opposed to not and rightly so. However, that is not always the case if they have other certifications. The IICRC license is the only organization in the US that provides the industry’s best practices, especially when it comes to mold.
You may have a question like this may come to mind, “how do contractors get certified?” They earn their certifications by completing classes approved by the organization & passing the standardized exam with ease.
In addition to the theoretical responsibilities involved, IICRC certified personnel would have to implement restoration projects and have several hours on the job before they are even qualified to take the exam. Moreover, one could say that it is a rigorous but necessary process. Certification isn’t limited to individuals. Entire firms can become certified as well. Nevertheless, they need to renew their status annually while providing evidence that they can provide general liability coverage.
When You Hire An IICRC Contractor…
There is no question that most property damage is unforeseen. It is nothing short of being a nightmare when it was for a home that was expected to be remodeled. Therefore, you want to hire the best to mitigate the problem and resume your plans. Hiring an IICRC company grants you the ability as a client to also get in touch with the actual organization. If the mold inspector you hired the other day to check your attic wasn’t completing the job as he/she promised, it is best to contact IICRC as they know how to handle the issue professionally. Take away the guesswork and risk of hiring a contractor by going with an IICRC licensed professional for remediation jobs. You can discover more about the standards by checking out their website here.
Lastly, Don’t Go With The Cheapest Option
It may be cliché, but “you get what you pay for.” Outsourcing a substance remediation project for your residential property is no exception. Remember that a home is everything to you and your family. There is no way to cut corners on getting your home to its ideal condition. Remodeling projects aren’t cheap, either. If you are looking to do that sort of process done, you most likely are looking to upgrade your home or make it more aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, if you have the misfortune of having to eliminate fungi or toxic substances in your home, it is best to deal with that first properly.
Bio: Originally from the East Coast, Pedro Andres moved to Chicago with a decade’s worth of expertise in cleaning, inspecting, and helping homeowners recover their property from house fires, floods, and black mold growth. After working for a well-established company in the Windy City, he decided to the entrepreneurial route by starting his own company called The Fire Restoration Team. It is a IICRC certified & 24/7 disaster response and restoration company that prides itself on being a full-service company that expands to mold inspection/remediation services for apartment buildings, water damage restoration for a flooded basement in corporate buildings, and soot removal in houses engulfed by wildfires. TFRT provides more than a century’s worth of combined experience followed by a network of contractors that are just a phone call away: 847-957-FIRE