WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN ASSESSMENT
Our approach to inspections is holistic, as we strongly believe that it is important to understand the building and how it interacts with the occupants in order to identify and solve a problem, rather than just jump in, grab a few air samples and run out.
We mostly work with sensitized clients -often referred to us by their physicians-, and our approach reflects the special care required to assist these clients.
Our team starts by sitting down with the client to take a detailed history of what has been going on, and listens to specific concerns. We then perform a very thorough visual inspection of the building.
This includes all areas we can get to/fit in, including crawlspaces, attics, closets, inside and around the outside of the house. We take a range of indicator measurements with the analytical equipment we carry with us (relative humidity, carbon dioxide, temperature, surface/scanned moisture, total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, sewer gas, formaldehyde, ozone, airborne particulate, combustible gasses). We scan building materials for hidden water activity in all areas with plumbing. We also carry an infrared camera as well as other equipment that can be deployed when necessary. We look at and into the HVAC system where applicable/accessible, check ventilation efficiency, and take pictures, measurements, and notes.
This inspection typically takes about 3-6 hours on-site, depending on size of the home and overall complexity. Clients do not need to be there/with us the whole time, but we do need a bit of your time to get the history, and general lay of the land.
What about laboratory samples?
In many cases (though not all inspections) it makes sense to take samples that are analyzed by a laboratory, to get confirmation of a specific hypothesis. This is the part for which we can only give you an upfront estimate as part of our initial quote rather than a firm number, because we cannot tell from a distance if, -and if so which, or how many- laboratory samples we might need to take. Every situation is different, and the sampling strategy therefore needs to be customized to what makes sense in each particular case. The types of samples that are useful in one building may not be the way to go in another one. And sometimes we actually do not recommend spending money on any samples at all. It really depends on each specific case. If the results of the lab sampling are not going to impact our recommendations on what needs to be done to resolve the issue, then we will not try to persuade you to incur unnecessary costs for lab testing.
But whatever the samples may be, the cost of those samples is determined by what the laboratory charges us directly. We never take any samples without explaining them first and getting your permission on the cost involved, so you don't have any surprises.
The inspection report:
Once we have finished the on-site part of the inspection, we send samples off to be analyzed by an accredited third-party lab. Dr. King writes a detailed, customized report that combines all of our findings, images, measurements, hypotheses/explanations, and lab results.
The report also gives detailed recommendations on how to resolve the issues that were identified, and any applicable standards/guidelines that should be followed in the remediation, to get you on the path to a healthier home.
As much as possible, we try to create a priority list for which items should be addressed first.
In some cases, we may be able to provide contractor recommendations. Please note that we are not affiliated with any contractors or third-party providers. We do not benefit from referrals in any way, and we cannot vouch for any contractors. Any recommendations we may be able to provide are purely based on prior experience of their work quality, conduct and customer service.
We serve residential, commercial, and institutional clients throughout Virginia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic and South Eastern region.