Need expert water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and mold remediation? BioTek Environmental Inc. is based in Columbia SC and serves South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. We are rated A+ by BBB, and we are proud of having served more than 2000 satisfied clients since 2007. Get 24/7 emergency help to ensure that your property damage needs are dealt with efficiently and carefully. We have seen it all, let us help you restore your home. For your peace of mind, we offer the best price guarantee and a 30-year bumper-to-bumper warranty! BioTek is a top 5% remediation/restoration contractor nationwide and we will be there for you when you need us.
"work not done yet. However, in discussion with Ted, very helpful and knowledgeable about air qualtiy testing process."
Al J on April 2024
Need expert water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and mold remediation? BioTek Environmental Inc. is based in Columbia SC and serves South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. We are rated A+ by BBB, and we are proud of having served more than 2000 satisfied clients since 2007. Get 24/7 emergency help to ensure that your property damage needs are dealt with efficiently and carefully. We have seen it all, let us help you restore your home. For your peace of mind, we offer the best price guarantee and a 30-year bumper-to-bumper warranty! BioTek is a top 5% remediation/restoration contractor nationwide and we will be there for you when you need us.
"work not done yet. However, in discussion with Ted, very helpful and knowledgeable about air qualtiy testing process."
Al J on April 2024
When you have mold, making the correct decisions right away is critical. Whether it is mold in your home, school, place of work, or apartment there are many factors to consider. Are you going to be involved in a mold lawsuit? Will you be seeking property damages? Is anyone sick from mold exposure? Will you be seeking medical damages? Will you need expert witnesses? If so, what kind? Do you just want to test to be sure your environment is safe? Do you need post mold remediation testing to ensure a good job was done? These and other factors are questions which need to be answered before any environmental testing starts. It is important to know what your goals are and why your testing. Different goals require different environmental tests, i.e. medical damages and property damages require different environmental tests to prove your case in court. Tests that a common, or inexperienced, mold inspector would not typically use or know to use.
When you have mold, making the correct decisions right away is critical. Whether it is mold in your home, school, place of work, or apartment there are many factors to consider. Are you going to be involved in a mold lawsuit? Will you be seeking property damages? Is anyone sick from mold exposure? Will you be seeking medical damages? Will you need expert witnesses? If so, what kind? Do you just want to test to be sure your environment is safe? Do you need post mold remediation testing to ensure a good job was done? These and other factors are questions which need to be answered before any environmental testing starts. It is important to know what your goals are and why your testing. Different goals require different environmental tests, i.e. medical damages and property damages require different environmental tests to prove your case in court. Tests that a common, or inexperienced, mold inspector would not typically use or know to use.
At Mold Test Company SC, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers' needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
"very conpentent,punctual and fast"
jim a on July 2023
At Mold Test Company SC, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers' needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
"very conpentent,punctual and fast"
jim a on July 2023
Here at UAM Services with over decade of experience we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job. Call us today!
"Excellent job very helpful answered all of my questions."
Howard L on April 2025
Here at UAM Services with over decade of experience we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality, and customer service that we provide to meet the consumers needs. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. In order to understand the needs and expectations of our customers, we take great care to work and communicate with every customer in a professional manner. Our reputation is based on service, safety, and quality, regardless of how large or small the job. Call us today!
"Excellent job very helpful answered all of my questions."
Howard L on April 2025
Experience Unmatched Air Quality with Carolina Ductmasters, your trusted partner in air duct cleaning, chimney cleaning, and dryer vent cleaning since 1997. Our expert team specializes in both residential and commercial air duct cleaning services across Asheville, Greensboro, Winston Salem, and Durham, NC and Greenville and Spartanburg, SC, ensuring that your indoor air quality is at its best. With over two decades of experience, we understand the importance of clean air ducts in reducing allergens, dust, and pollutants that can affect your family's health. Our thorough cleaning process not only enhances air quality but also improves the efficiency of your HVAC system, leading to lower energy bills and a more comfortable living space. Trust us to provide a complete system cleaning that leaves your air ducts spotless and your home fresh. Our comprehensive services include chimney sweeps, inspections, and repairs, as well as dryer vent cleaning. A clean chimney is essential for safe and efficient fireplace operation, preventing dangerous creosote buildup that can lead to chimney fires. Our skilled technicians are trained to inspect and clean your chimney, ensuring it operates safely and effectively. Additionally, our dryer vent cleaning service helps prevent lint buildup, which can pose a fire hazard and reduce your dryer’s efficiency. With our family-owned and -operated approach, you can count on us for personalized service and expert care for all your chimney and dryer vent needs. With over 1,500 glowing customer reviews, Carolina Ductmasters has built a reputation for excellence in the Carolinas. Our commitment to quality service is backed by our licensed, bonded, and insured status, giving you peace of mind when you choose us for your air duct, chimney, and dryer vent cleaning needs. Contact us today to experience the Carolina Ductmasters difference and join our growing family of satisfied customers!
"We hired Carolina Ductmasters to clean our air ducts and dryer vent and were very happy with the service! The technicians were on-time, responsive, and courteous. This was great experience and value. Great company! Highly recommended."
Brian R on March 2025
Experience Unmatched Air Quality with Carolina Ductmasters, your trusted partner in air duct cleaning, chimney cleaning, and dryer vent cleaning since 1997. Our expert team specializes in both residential and commercial air duct cleaning services across Asheville, Greensboro, Winston Salem, and Durham, NC and Greenville and Spartanburg, SC, ensuring that your indoor air quality is at its best. With over two decades of experience, we understand the importance of clean air ducts in reducing allergens, dust, and pollutants that can affect your family's health. Our thorough cleaning process not only enhances air quality but also improves the efficiency of your HVAC system, leading to lower energy bills and a more comfortable living space. Trust us to provide a complete system cleaning that leaves your air ducts spotless and your home fresh. Our comprehensive services include chimney sweeps, inspections, and repairs, as well as dryer vent cleaning. A clean chimney is essential for safe and efficient fireplace operation, preventing dangerous creosote buildup that can lead to chimney fires. Our skilled technicians are trained to inspect and clean your chimney, ensuring it operates safely and effectively. Additionally, our dryer vent cleaning service helps prevent lint buildup, which can pose a fire hazard and reduce your dryer’s efficiency. With our family-owned and -operated approach, you can count on us for personalized service and expert care for all your chimney and dryer vent needs. With over 1,500 glowing customer reviews, Carolina Ductmasters has built a reputation for excellence in the Carolinas. Our commitment to quality service is backed by our licensed, bonded, and insured status, giving you peace of mind when you choose us for your air duct, chimney, and dryer vent cleaning needs. Contact us today to experience the Carolina Ductmasters difference and join our growing family of satisfied customers!
"We hired Carolina Ductmasters to clean our air ducts and dryer vent and were very happy with the service! The technicians were on-time, responsive, and courteous. This was great experience and value. Great company! Highly recommended."
Brian R on March 2025
AT Inspect LLC offers Home Inspection services in Georgia and South Carolina. If you need a Home Inspection, contact us today for immediate service.
"Reached out to schedule and was informed I would need to pay a $50.00 deposit. After deposit was paid all contact was shut down. Was incredibly disappointed in the scam they ran."
Kaitlin o on February 2025
AT Inspect LLC offers Home Inspection services in Georgia and South Carolina. If you need a Home Inspection, contact us today for immediate service.
"Reached out to schedule and was informed I would need to pay a $50.00 deposit. After deposit was paid all contact was shut down. Was incredibly disappointed in the scam they ran."
Kaitlin o on February 2025
CSRA Bio-Care is a special needs cleaning company since 2012. We are an owner-operated company of well-trained technicians experienced in cleaning, disinfecting, decontaminating and the handling of biologically hazardous materials. We are certified, licensed, bonded, insured and available 24 hours. Being an environmental health cleaning company, we offer a large range of services from infection prevention & control, sterilization, mold remediation, air duct cleaning and odor elimination. We provide environmental solutions for indoor surface and air sterilization using todays most advanced powerful technology eliminating pathogens such as COVID-19, H1N1, SARS, MERS and MRSA. We maintain strict adherence to applicable OSHA regulations. The products we use are EPA registered hospital grade disinfectants and sterilizers to ensure the safety of all concerned. CSRA Bio-Care strives to go the extra mile. We take pride in our reputation. Our quality of work will reflect this because customer satisfaction is our number one priority. By adhering to this code, we are confident you will be pleased with our cleaning services and the quality of our work.
"The service was excellent. They did a very good job."
Elmyra C on November 2020
CSRA Bio-Care is a special needs cleaning company since 2012. We are an owner-operated company of well-trained technicians experienced in cleaning, disinfecting, decontaminating and the handling of biologically hazardous materials. We are certified, licensed, bonded, insured and available 24 hours. Being an environmental health cleaning company, we offer a large range of services from infection prevention & control, sterilization, mold remediation, air duct cleaning and odor elimination. We provide environmental solutions for indoor surface and air sterilization using todays most advanced powerful technology eliminating pathogens such as COVID-19, H1N1, SARS, MERS and MRSA. We maintain strict adherence to applicable OSHA regulations. The products we use are EPA registered hospital grade disinfectants and sterilizers to ensure the safety of all concerned. CSRA Bio-Care strives to go the extra mile. We take pride in our reputation. Our quality of work will reflect this because customer satisfaction is our number one priority. By adhering to this code, we are confident you will be pleased with our cleaning services and the quality of our work.
"The service was excellent. They did a very good job."
Elmyra C on November 2020
With over 20 years of experience, A&A Asbestos Environmental is a leader in the industry. Insured and Licensed our company's foundation is built on our values, which distinguish us and guide our actions. We conduct our business in a socially responsible and ethical manner. We respect the law, support human rights, protect the environment and benefit the communities where we work. Specializing in residential and commercial asbestos abatement and testing, we guarantee our work and stand by our promise to provide quality abatement services in and around Columbia. Call today, the life you save may be your own!
"The service was pretty good and like."
Jacob o on September 2020
With over 20 years of experience, A&A Asbestos Environmental is a leader in the industry. Insured and Licensed our company's foundation is built on our values, which distinguish us and guide our actions. We conduct our business in a socially responsible and ethical manner. We respect the law, support human rights, protect the environment and benefit the communities where we work. Specializing in residential and commercial asbestos abatement and testing, we guarantee our work and stand by our promise to provide quality abatement services in and around Columbia. Call today, the life you save may be your own!
"The service was pretty good and like."
Jacob o on September 2020
Our Board Certified Environmentalists utilize standard mold tests as well as advanced environmental testing, when needed, that no other mold testing companies offer. We offer lower pricing and unrivaled customer service as we not only assign you a Board Certified Mold Inspector to conduct your testing, we also assign every client a personal Sr. Mold Analyst to explain your certified microbiology reports and help guide you step by step through the confusing world of mold contamination. We provide not only exceptional service, but the peace of mind your family or your co-workers deserve.
"On May 25, 2022 I spoke to a representative of the Mold Test Company and explained that I had recently inherited a property and had not been lived in for quiet some time and was beginning the restoration process to make it livable again which included having a mold test completed. I was quoted $499 for the complete test in addition to a $50 deposit that was required to confirm appointment. I made it clear that I currently lived over 4 hours away from the property needing the test but we agreed upon a date and time that worked for all parties. Deposit was paid over the phone for confirmed 11am on 5/29/2022. I arrived at the property at 10:40am yet the technician called me about 15 after 11am to inform me the he was 15 minutes away. Arriving at church 11:30. We walk through the property and he gives me some information and points out a few things and then prepares to set up his equipment only to realize he would need a generator to complete being that the home isn’t occupied and has not been for quite some time, there is no electricity. I point out that I was not informed the equipment needed electricity although I mentioned the property had been closed up for years when making the appointment. As the expert and professional this should have been clarified prior to confirming appointment or taking payment. Technician informed that he had a generator but it wasn’t with him and he lived about 2 hours away so the appointment that I had driven 4+ hours to make would have to be rescheduled. It then took almost a full week for someone to return and follow up about this issue in which the solution suggested was to Mail this company the keys to my property to conduct the test in my absence and hitch was a red flag because I don’t know them for one and if I’m not there to see them test my property how do o know they’d even travel back to my property and complete a test instead of just telling they did and charging $499. I refused to send my keys and instead asked for a refund of my deposit. I was told he would submit my request and ended the call About a month later I still had not received my refund or any communication of it so I called and after several attempts spoke to someone who informed me that my refund request was denied because the technician said I refused services at the door and something else about canceling rescheduled appointment when nothing was every rescheduled to begin with and service was not completed bc technician did not have the necessary information equipment. I total LIE over $50. My $50 that I work hard for and have already been more than inconvenienced over. I have tried multiple time to remediate this issues but I just keep getting shuffled around to leave voicemails and no answers about my money. This is extremely unprofessional and unreasonable. I will follow up with the BBB and CFPB as well. Unacceptable and should be removed as a reliable referral from Angi"
Danyel L on July 2022
Our Board Certified Environmentalists utilize standard mold tests as well as advanced environmental testing, when needed, that no other mold testing companies offer. We offer lower pricing and unrivaled customer service as we not only assign you a Board Certified Mold Inspector to conduct your testing, we also assign every client a personal Sr. Mold Analyst to explain your certified microbiology reports and help guide you step by step through the confusing world of mold contamination. We provide not only exceptional service, but the peace of mind your family or your co-workers deserve.
"On May 25, 2022 I spoke to a representative of the Mold Test Company and explained that I had recently inherited a property and had not been lived in for quiet some time and was beginning the restoration process to make it livable again which included having a mold test completed. I was quoted $499 for the complete test in addition to a $50 deposit that was required to confirm appointment. I made it clear that I currently lived over 4 hours away from the property needing the test but we agreed upon a date and time that worked for all parties. Deposit was paid over the phone for confirmed 11am on 5/29/2022. I arrived at the property at 10:40am yet the technician called me about 15 after 11am to inform me the he was 15 minutes away. Arriving at church 11:30. We walk through the property and he gives me some information and points out a few things and then prepares to set up his equipment only to realize he would need a generator to complete being that the home isn’t occupied and has not been for quite some time, there is no electricity. I point out that I was not informed the equipment needed electricity although I mentioned the property had been closed up for years when making the appointment. As the expert and professional this should have been clarified prior to confirming appointment or taking payment. Technician informed that he had a generator but it wasn’t with him and he lived about 2 hours away so the appointment that I had driven 4+ hours to make would have to be rescheduled. It then took almost a full week for someone to return and follow up about this issue in which the solution suggested was to Mail this company the keys to my property to conduct the test in my absence and hitch was a red flag because I don’t know them for one and if I’m not there to see them test my property how do o know they’d even travel back to my property and complete a test instead of just telling they did and charging $499. I refused to send my keys and instead asked for a refund of my deposit. I was told he would submit my request and ended the call About a month later I still had not received my refund or any communication of it so I called and after several attempts spoke to someone who informed me that my refund request was denied because the technician said I refused services at the door and something else about canceling rescheduled appointment when nothing was every rescheduled to begin with and service was not completed bc technician did not have the necessary information equipment. I total LIE over $50. My $50 that I work hard for and have already been more than inconvenienced over. I have tried multiple time to remediate this issues but I just keep getting shuffled around to leave voicemails and no answers about my money. This is extremely unprofessional and unreasonable. I will follow up with the BBB and CFPB as well. Unacceptable and should be removed as a reliable referral from Angi"
Danyel L on July 2022
Driven by their passion to serve the community in a healthy, meaningful way, Steve developed an inventive new way to clean. Using patented cleaning technology with touchless application, Nano Environmental Solutions eradicates harmful elements in homes and businesses, including mold, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This technology is EPA approved and can be used in the home or workplace. At Nano Environmental Solutions, we’re passionate about improving our clients’ quality of life by creating clean and healthy environments. We eliminate the problems that make people sick and we do it all with patented cleaning technology that is both safe enough for restaurants and strong enough for hospitals. Inquiring customers please be advised that Nano Environmental Solutions is unable to provide approximate estimates without first conducting an on-site inspection. We unfortunately cannot provide you with a general estimate without visually inspecting the property first due to lack of accuracy and second due to the threat of viral hacks via fake accounts. Nano Environmental Solutions gladly offers free onsite inspections to customers in our service area. These free onsite inspections are essential to our ability to provide accurate estimates to our customers. We look forward to speaking with you soon to schedule an opportunity to serve you as well
"It has been like surviving a natural disaster to try to repair our lives and home after Nano Environmental-Gwinnett and their parent company, Nano Environmental Solutions, destroyed our house and made the mold situation in our home worse than when we started. This situation is very emotional for me and for my family. But I’m going to do my best to present the situation in a fact-based manner that I hope will be most helpful for other families. 1. Destruction of home: Nano cut large, jagged holes in the sheetrock of every room of our house in order to “look for mold”. We now know from an independent air quality tester and two mold inspectors who viewed our home afterward that cutting into walls just to “look for mold” is never necessary. Standard practice is for remediators to thread small, thin lighted cameras through small holes in sheetrock to scan for mold in wall cavities. You absolutely need to cut out sheetrock to get rid of mold, but never just to look for it. Nano reported finding no mold through these cuts in our sheetrock. 2. Demolition crew: Nano hired a demolition crew and told them they would pay them per square foot of sheetrock removed, thus incentivizing the shocking, huge chopped holes throughout the home. 3. Compromising our family’s health: Nano told us that it would be safe for us to return to our home on October 3. We arrived that day to find visible mold throughout the home. I have asthma and in returning to the home, before realizing that mold still permeated the home, my health was placed at risk. We had to quickly leave the home once again, check back into a hotel, and contact Nano to let them know that the home was clearly not remediated and not safe. 4. Price gouging: On October 4, Nano Environmental-Gwinnett’s director contacted us to let us know that not only had they been mistaken about the home being remediated, it would cost another $5,500, on top of the originally contracted $11,414, to successfully remediate the mold. Shocked given that they had told us just the day before that the home was safe for our return, my husband and I repeatedly requested that they send us itemization and justification for the need for these additional charges before we approved them. Nano promised this itemization later on the day of October 4. However, no itemization came until October 17, after the work had ostensibly been completed. Appeals to the parent company CEO did not help remedy the situation. 5. Billing improprieties: When the justification/itemization finally arrived on October 17, it was in the form of an invoice filled with redundant charges. Nano even billed us twice for the same dehumidifier – at two different prices. They explained that the double charges for work such as “wiping down walls” were because they hired subcontractors, given that they were “very busy with other clients”. So we had to pay both Nano and their subcontractors for the same contracted deliverables (that’s how we obtained the receipt showing the subcontractor’s work; Nano told us we had to pay their subcontractors as well as pay them). We explained to Nano that we contracted with them to complete clearly defined objectives and that it was inappropriate to pass along redundant charges to one client because they were busy with other clients. In addition, we noted that the invoiced charge of $5.38 per square foot of sheet rock removed was 8 times greater than the price in the signed contract, which specified 65 cents per square foot IF any removal was needed (Nano had said that they would remove as little as possible and only if needed). 6. Leaking caused by incorrectly installed dehumidifier: Nano incorrectly installed a dehumidifier in our basement three times, causing extensive leaking in our basement twice. We were only saved from further water damage the first time because the water from the dehumidifier streaming across our basement floor triggered our motion detector in the basement at 4:45am. On the phone with our alarm company, we went downstairs to see what had triggered the alarm and found water pouring across the floor. We finally had to hire an HVAC company to install the dehumidifier correctly. The HVAC company showed us how Nano had the water draining uphill to its termination point and had attached pipes with tape. In addition, they did not install a drain pan. Instead, they mounted the dehumidifier on a piece of wood salvaged from our basement. 7. Disrupting our internet access: Nano’s demolition team chopped into our Ethernet cord, yanking it from the wall. We were without internet in our home and home office (I have an LLC that I operate from home) for three days, waiting for AT&T to be able to come make repairs. AT&T noted on the invoice that the damage had occurred at the site of the contractor’s work. 8. Losing most of our family’s belongings: Most devastating to our family, Nano did not remove or cover our furniture or belongings on the main and upper levels of our home when their demolition crew chopped large holes in the wall of every room (they covered only items in the basement). And they did not seal off the chopped sections with plastic. Thus, stagnant, mold-laden air trapped in the walls was released throughout our home, contaminating all of our unprotected belongings. Consequently, we had to throw away all of the large, porous items in our home (e.g., mattresses, sofas, chairs, cloth-covered photo albums). Nonporous items had to be wiped individually, if they were to be saved. We are trying to salvage what we can. But everything could have been saved if Nano had just followed the routine remediation safeguard of covering our belongings before cutting holes in our walls in every room. 9. Testing inconsistencies: A Nano employee told us on a Friday that he had taken posttest air quality samples and that we would have the results the following Monday. When we emailed Nano on Tuesday to ask about the results, a Nano representative emailed back that they had “decided not to analyze the sample” because they were concerned that some work we needed to do around our front door might cause the test not to pass. We did, in fact, need to fix leaking around our front door (work now completed). But this was the first time that we had heard from Nano that this front door issue could be a reason our house might not pass an air quality test. We were actually back living in the home at that point, because Nano said it was safe to do so. They had reported that they temporarily encapsulated the front door area, so it would be safe for the short term. If the front door issue could be causing the mold levels in our home to still be unsafe, why would they tell us (a second time) that it was safe to live there, especially knowing I have severe asthma? At this point, I had an alarming suspicion that Nano might actually have analyzed the sample and just not want to tell us that the test results had come out badly (We will probably never know). I worried they were just covering their bases by suddenly saying that good test results were dependent on our front door repair. That’s when I hired an independent tester, a company that does not do remediation, to test the air quality to see if our family was safe in the home. And that’s when we learned that the levels of mold in the home were worse than before and that we would have to immediately leave our home again. When Nano first began working on our home, we stayed at a hotel because our former home was on the market and we wanted to keep it presentable. But after the independent test results, we realized we had to find a longer-term solution. We had tried to put plastic around the large, jagged holes in our daughter’s bedroom walls, to shield her from the awful smells coming from them, but learned that the plastic could not keep us safe. We had to move back to our former home, ultimately taking it off the market. Another mold remediation company has now successfully remediated the home. And another contractor is repairing the holes in our walls. Because Nano chopped holes in paneling that cannot be patched, that means ripping out and re"
Tracie S on December 2018
Driven by their passion to serve the community in a healthy, meaningful way, Steve developed an inventive new way to clean. Using patented cleaning technology with touchless application, Nano Environmental Solutions eradicates harmful elements in homes and businesses, including mold, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This technology is EPA approved and can be used in the home or workplace. At Nano Environmental Solutions, we’re passionate about improving our clients’ quality of life by creating clean and healthy environments. We eliminate the problems that make people sick and we do it all with patented cleaning technology that is both safe enough for restaurants and strong enough for hospitals. Inquiring customers please be advised that Nano Environmental Solutions is unable to provide approximate estimates without first conducting an on-site inspection. We unfortunately cannot provide you with a general estimate without visually inspecting the property first due to lack of accuracy and second due to the threat of viral hacks via fake accounts. Nano Environmental Solutions gladly offers free onsite inspections to customers in our service area. These free onsite inspections are essential to our ability to provide accurate estimates to our customers. We look forward to speaking with you soon to schedule an opportunity to serve you as well
"It has been like surviving a natural disaster to try to repair our lives and home after Nano Environmental-Gwinnett and their parent company, Nano Environmental Solutions, destroyed our house and made the mold situation in our home worse than when we started. This situation is very emotional for me and for my family. But I’m going to do my best to present the situation in a fact-based manner that I hope will be most helpful for other families. 1. Destruction of home: Nano cut large, jagged holes in the sheetrock of every room of our house in order to “look for mold”. We now know from an independent air quality tester and two mold inspectors who viewed our home afterward that cutting into walls just to “look for mold” is never necessary. Standard practice is for remediators to thread small, thin lighted cameras through small holes in sheetrock to scan for mold in wall cavities. You absolutely need to cut out sheetrock to get rid of mold, but never just to look for it. Nano reported finding no mold through these cuts in our sheetrock. 2. Demolition crew: Nano hired a demolition crew and told them they would pay them per square foot of sheetrock removed, thus incentivizing the shocking, huge chopped holes throughout the home. 3. Compromising our family’s health: Nano told us that it would be safe for us to return to our home on October 3. We arrived that day to find visible mold throughout the home. I have asthma and in returning to the home, before realizing that mold still permeated the home, my health was placed at risk. We had to quickly leave the home once again, check back into a hotel, and contact Nano to let them know that the home was clearly not remediated and not safe. 4. Price gouging: On October 4, Nano Environmental-Gwinnett’s director contacted us to let us know that not only had they been mistaken about the home being remediated, it would cost another $5,500, on top of the originally contracted $11,414, to successfully remediate the mold. Shocked given that they had told us just the day before that the home was safe for our return, my husband and I repeatedly requested that they send us itemization and justification for the need for these additional charges before we approved them. Nano promised this itemization later on the day of October 4. However, no itemization came until October 17, after the work had ostensibly been completed. Appeals to the parent company CEO did not help remedy the situation. 5. Billing improprieties: When the justification/itemization finally arrived on October 17, it was in the form of an invoice filled with redundant charges. Nano even billed us twice for the same dehumidifier – at two different prices. They explained that the double charges for work such as “wiping down walls” were because they hired subcontractors, given that they were “very busy with other clients”. So we had to pay both Nano and their subcontractors for the same contracted deliverables (that’s how we obtained the receipt showing the subcontractor’s work; Nano told us we had to pay their subcontractors as well as pay them). We explained to Nano that we contracted with them to complete clearly defined objectives and that it was inappropriate to pass along redundant charges to one client because they were busy with other clients. In addition, we noted that the invoiced charge of $5.38 per square foot of sheet rock removed was 8 times greater than the price in the signed contract, which specified 65 cents per square foot IF any removal was needed (Nano had said that they would remove as little as possible and only if needed). 6. Leaking caused by incorrectly installed dehumidifier: Nano incorrectly installed a dehumidifier in our basement three times, causing extensive leaking in our basement twice. We were only saved from further water damage the first time because the water from the dehumidifier streaming across our basement floor triggered our motion detector in the basement at 4:45am. On the phone with our alarm company, we went downstairs to see what had triggered the alarm and found water pouring across the floor. We finally had to hire an HVAC company to install the dehumidifier correctly. The HVAC company showed us how Nano had the water draining uphill to its termination point and had attached pipes with tape. In addition, they did not install a drain pan. Instead, they mounted the dehumidifier on a piece of wood salvaged from our basement. 7. Disrupting our internet access: Nano’s demolition team chopped into our Ethernet cord, yanking it from the wall. We were without internet in our home and home office (I have an LLC that I operate from home) for three days, waiting for AT&T to be able to come make repairs. AT&T noted on the invoice that the damage had occurred at the site of the contractor’s work. 8. Losing most of our family’s belongings: Most devastating to our family, Nano did not remove or cover our furniture or belongings on the main and upper levels of our home when their demolition crew chopped large holes in the wall of every room (they covered only items in the basement). And they did not seal off the chopped sections with plastic. Thus, stagnant, mold-laden air trapped in the walls was released throughout our home, contaminating all of our unprotected belongings. Consequently, we had to throw away all of the large, porous items in our home (e.g., mattresses, sofas, chairs, cloth-covered photo albums). Nonporous items had to be wiped individually, if they were to be saved. We are trying to salvage what we can. But everything could have been saved if Nano had just followed the routine remediation safeguard of covering our belongings before cutting holes in our walls in every room. 9. Testing inconsistencies: A Nano employee told us on a Friday that he had taken posttest air quality samples and that we would have the results the following Monday. When we emailed Nano on Tuesday to ask about the results, a Nano representative emailed back that they had “decided not to analyze the sample” because they were concerned that some work we needed to do around our front door might cause the test not to pass. We did, in fact, need to fix leaking around our front door (work now completed). But this was the first time that we had heard from Nano that this front door issue could be a reason our house might not pass an air quality test. We were actually back living in the home at that point, because Nano said it was safe to do so. They had reported that they temporarily encapsulated the front door area, so it would be safe for the short term. If the front door issue could be causing the mold levels in our home to still be unsafe, why would they tell us (a second time) that it was safe to live there, especially knowing I have severe asthma? At this point, I had an alarming suspicion that Nano might actually have analyzed the sample and just not want to tell us that the test results had come out badly (We will probably never know). I worried they were just covering their bases by suddenly saying that good test results were dependent on our front door repair. That’s when I hired an independent tester, a company that does not do remediation, to test the air quality to see if our family was safe in the home. And that’s when we learned that the levels of mold in the home were worse than before and that we would have to immediately leave our home again. When Nano first began working on our home, we stayed at a hotel because our former home was on the market and we wanted to keep it presentable. But after the independent test results, we realized we had to find a longer-term solution. We had tried to put plastic around the large, jagged holes in our daughter’s bedroom walls, to shield her from the awful smells coming from them, but learned that the plastic could not keep us safe. We had to move back to our former home, ultimately taking it off the market. Another mold remediation company has now successfully remediated the home. And another contractor is repairing the holes in our walls. Because Nano chopped holes in paneling that cannot be patched, that means ripping out and re"
Tracie S on December 2018
Some states require mold removal specialists to be licensed, while others require licensed mold testing companies to create remediation protocols that any contractor can carry out. You can use our state licensing tool to find requirements in your area. In either case, it’s imperative that you hire an experienced professional for mold removal to ensure the safety of your home and your family.
It’s possible to scrub mold off of visible surfaces yourself, but it’s not usually a good idea. Mold is not only a potential health risk, but it’s also difficult to treat in its entirety, especially because it can grow behind walls and in other hidden areas a DIYer might miss. Since mold is a serious and often pervasive issue, you should hire a professional that will remove all of the mold—including any that might be hidden—run industrial air scrubbers to remove airborne particles, and complete mold testing to ensure the underlying problem is solved.
The most effective way to remove mold includes testing affected surfaces and the air for spores, creating a protocol for removal, carrying out the steps within the protocol, running air scrubbers for the recommended amount of time, and then completing a post-remediation round of testing to confirm the issue is solved. Since this work is very involved and there are health risks if done incorrectly, you should always hire an experienced professional to handle mold removal.
The average cost for mold remediation is around $2,200, and most projects fall somewhere between $1,100 and $3,300. Your total will depend on many factors, including the surface area that is affected by mold, the extent of the issue, how much building material your professional needs to replace, whether or not testing is necessary for safety reasons, and existing indoor air quality.
Mold removal will take between one and five days in most cases, but severe mold issues can take several weeks to correct. Your timeline will depend on how much mold there is in your home, where the mold is located, and how much testing and aftercare is required. If you have mold behind your walls or you have an excessive amount of mold that requires removal and running air scrubbers for several days, you could be looking at over a week for the process to be completed.