Channel 5 (kpho - Phoenix) just did a great expose' on mold remediation scams that goes hand in hand with everything I've been shouting for the last 5 years.
They put some mascara on a bathroom wall (see photo above) then called in some companies to check out the "mold".
Not one company even addressed potential root cause as to why "mold" would be there in the first place, none of them did a visual assessment, and only one company even offered to test the "mold."
BUT, they were all happy to give $1000 - $2000 bids to remove the "mold."
These companies are preying on people's fear, draining people's bank accounts, and potentially DIMINISHING the quality of the indoor air/environment with the use of chemicals which were not needed in the first place.
Until we have some basic regulatory measures in place, and the Associations governing my industry decide to step up to the plate and police their members to help protect the consumers, it will continue to be the Wild Wild West.
Consumer beware...
Here is the link to the full article and video clip:
http://www.kpho.com/iteam/15414355/detail.html?taf=pho
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I agree with you that there are many scam artists out there. I am a certified indoor air specialist and when I am called in about a mold issue the first thing I do is a moisture test. Mold can not grow without moisture. If the area passes a moisture reading test I advise the client that a sample or samples should be taken of the substance to determine if it is mold and what type. I tape around the area to be sampled and take photos of the area a close up then a pic from about 10 feet away then a pic from the entrance to the room. I then will take a swab sample and send it to a lab. I use 3 labs so as not to be affiliated with just one lab. When the results come back I complete and on-line report along with pictures and any other information I have found and send it to the client. If it is mold and it is in a small area below 10 ft.x 10 ft I explain to the client that an area of this size can be re-mediated by the client themselves according to EPA . I never offer to do the work myself as that would be considered a conflict of interest and against the guidelines of the associations that I belong to. I do if the client wishes explain what needs to be done and how to go about doing it. If they want to clean it themselves.
This is just a brief description of how I would handle it there is more detail to this than I have written. I hope this helps some believe that we are all not it this to take advantage of a client that does not have enough knowledge themselves on what need to be done. If you ever have something like this in a clients home and you are not sure what to do please feel free to contact me and I will help in any way I legally can.