Mold is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately, there are many companies out there that are trying to take advantage of people who are dealing with mold in their homes. These companies often promise to get rid of the mold for a very low price, but they do more harm than good. In this blog post, we will discuss what you need to know about mold companies trying to scam you. We will also provide tips on avoiding being scammed by these companies. But before we do that, let’s look at some of the most basic things about mold and mold remediation.
Mold is a type of fungi that can grow both indoors and outdoors. Mold thrives in warm, damp, and humid environments. And while mold is not necessarily harmful to humans, some people are allergic to mold spores. These allergies can cause various symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, mold allergies can even lead to asthma attacks.
Mold remediation is removing mold from an area in your home. This process often includes cleaning up any areas contaminated with mold and ensuring that the area is properly ventilated. Mold remediation can be a very costly process, which is why many people try to do it themselves. However, this is often not the best idea.
There are many dangers that come with trying to remove mold yourself. First, you could make the problem worse if you don’t know what you’re doing. Second, you could also put yourself and your family at risk by coming into contact with mold spores. And finally, if you try to remove mold yourself, you may not be able to get rid of all of it. This could lead to the mold coming back and growing even more.
Are mold scams something to be concerned about?
As much as we hate it, the answer is yes. Mold scams are becoming increasingly common, especially in areas affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes or floods.
These scammers often target homeowners already dealing with a lot of stress and may not be thinking straight. Scammers usually promise to remove the mold for a very low price, but they often do more harm than good. In many cases, these companies will use dangerous chemicals to remove the mold, which can put you and your family at risk.
They may also damage your home when trying to remove the mold.
So what do you do to avoid mold scams?
While spotting scams is a matter of instinct and trusting your gut that something is wrong with what you are being presented with, there are a few takeaways that can help you avoid mold scams.
Educate yourself: The first thing you need to do to avoid mold scams is educate yourself. Read up on mold and mold remediation. Why does mold occur? What are the warning signs? At which point should you call the company? Is the way forward proposed by the company a viable and logical approach? Once you educate yourself on the topic, it will be much easier to spot a scam.
Get multiple estimates: Once you have decided that you need professional help, get multiple estimates from different companies. This will give you a better idea of the average cost of mold remediation in your area. It will also allow you to compare each company’s services.
Be aware of freebies: Many scammers will try to lure you in with freebies. They may offer a free mold inspection or a free estimate. However, these free services are often just a way for the company to get its foot in the door. Once in your home, they may try to upsell you on other services you don’t need.
Stick with companies that your friends or relatives can vouch for: As crucial as it is to check for online reviews; it is even more so to work with companies that your friends and family can vouch for. Mold is not a recent problem; you will find plenty of homeowners who have had to deal with mold. Working with companies your friends and family can vouch for can help you avoid scams.
The bottom line is that you must be careful when working with mold companies. There are a lot of scammers out there who are just looking to take advantage of people who are already dealing with a lot of stress. Educate yourself on the topic, get multiple estimates, and stick with companies your friends or relatives can vouch for.
