MOLD INSPECTIONS

 What consumers should require of their mold inspector until the New Florida Mold Law becomes effective:

Mold inspectors should have "mold specific" Errors & Omissions insurance.  This type of insurance is most often issued for the inspector not for the company.    (This is required in new mold law)

468.8421 Insurance.-

(1) A mold assessor shall maintain general liability and errors and omissions insurance coverage in an amount of not less than $1,000,000.

Mold inspectors should identify sources of mold and water intrusion within the mold inspection report.   (This is required in new mold law)

468.8411 Definitions:

(3) "Mold assessment" means a process performed by a mold assessor that includes the physical sampling and detailed evaluation of data obtained from a building history and inspection to formulate an initial hypothesis about the origin, identity, location, and extent of amplification of mold.

Mold inspectors should have written or electronic agreement that must be signed including the scope of work to be performed.   (This is required in new mold law)

468.8422 Contracts. - A contract to perform mold assessment or mold remediation shall be in a document or electronic record, signed or otherwise authenticated by the parties.

Mold inspector should not perform mold cleanup / remediation on structure their company performed mold inspection / assessment on in the last 12 months.   (This is required in new mold law)

468.8419 Prohibitions; penalties.-

(d) Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor's company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months.

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Note:  

1   It is estimated only 1 out 12 mold inspectors have "mold specific" E&O insurance.    (Home Inspector E&O does not cover MOLD)

   Your Mold Inspector probably does NOT have the mold E&O that will be required in our new law and you never ask.  This is just one of the reasons for the new mold law signed by Govenor Crist to protect the public.

2. Mold test is not the same as a mold inspection.

3. Mold test alone, Limited sampling or mold screening are not used to determine if home has mold problem, they are used to determine if you need a mold inspection.

    (Home inspectors sell these as mold inspections, client should read agreement.)