Hidden water intrusion has the potental to wreak havoc in your home.  Itis the single biggest pay-out by insurance companies and one that many of them are now looking for ways to exclue in their policies.  It has been said that 75-80% of the major expenses assocated with home ownership involve moisture issues.  It is one of the major reasons builders are called back to repair damage during the home warranty period.

We are limited by what we can visually observe when the home is occupied and when the proerty has been recently re-painted.  The inspection does not involve any destructive procedures such as removing baseboard, cutting holes, in walls, etc., since most property owners will not allow this in a home they are selling.  We are also limited by what our instruments can detect.

Information on Tom and his Credentials

Mr. Tom Bramlett, is a Council-certified Microbial Consultant (CMC), Council-Certified Microbial Investigator (CMI), Council-Certified Environmental Thermography Consultant (CETC) and Arkansas Licensed Home Inspector #1206.  Mr. Bramlett is a member of the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC), and serves on their Executive Board, a member of Arkansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (AAREI) and the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).  Mr. Bramlett’s Mold Certifications were awarded by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC).

Concerning the Charges

Residential Full Property Assessment:  Our charges are based on a range of square footage for a Residential Indoor Air Quality/Mold/Moisture Assessment, which includes Remediation Protocol or Remediation Clearance Verification (thermal imaging, digital photo documentation and visual inspection) and written report.  (Does NOT include air samples).  Air sampling is performed at an additional charge per sample.

Residential – Consultation - A Consultation is where we are NOT looking at the entire property, but looking at one or two areas of concern (ie. Laundry room issues, a kitchen leak, bathroom leak, etc.)

Residential (Over 6500 sf) and  Commercial:  We charge an hourly rate on site and report writing for Large Residential/Commercial Indoor Air Quality Assessment, which includes Remediation Protocol or Remediation Clearance Verification (thermal imaging, digital photo documentation and visual inspection) and written report.

Trip Charge:  The first half hour is included – each way – then there is a $75/hour travel charge for inspections.

We do not charge a trip charge for the areas we consider to be our home service areas: Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Lowell, Cave Springs, Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Elkins, Eureka Springs and Siloam Springs.

Testing

Testing is conducted and priced per sample – includeing Lab Fees - (we typically pull one representative sample inside for each level of the structure, and one sample outside as a base/control to compare it to) and then a FedEx fee to ship the samples to an independent, certified lab for analysis.

Sample Pulling Policy

When we started the company we felt that we would not pull samples if there was visible mold, high particle counts, high moisture readings with the thermal camera or obvious evidence of moisture intrusion, unless specifically requested by the client or if there is a possible liability reason to pull samples (ie. School, Hospital, Medical reason).  The reason being - that if any or all of these conditions exist, we know that the air samples will come back high, degraded and therefore unacceptable.  Our reasoning was that why should we charge our clients to document with lab samples, information that we already know - it is an unnecessary expense to the customer.

Some companies practice what is considered aggressive sampling - they will pull air samples and tape samples - sometimes in every room.  We practice representative sampling.  We usually will pull one (1) representative sample inside the property and then one (1) sample outside as a base/control for comparison purposes. Everything outside will usually be also present inside - but ideally to a lesser degree because the air inside is cleaned and filtered (HVAC System).  If there is more than one level to the property of if the property is particularily large or spread out, we will visit with you at the site and agree together on what would be best for your property and situation - to give you an overall snapshot of the airborne mold exposure levels of your property.

HOWEVER, in some cases the client or insurance company - and – Most Remediation companies usually require that samples be pulled BEFORE the work as well as AFTER for a comparison and verification/documentation and afterward for Clearance purposes.  If so, the additional charge per sample and then a Fed Ex fee would apply to the initial assessment and also the clearance verification assessment. MOST REMEDIATION COMPANIES NOW REQUIRE PRE-TESTING to give a baseline BEFORE they start work, and for their insurance purposes - to know what they are exposing their workers to.  Then for purposes of remediation companies, for insurance, for peace of mind and for scientific documentation if/when you sell the property, you will usually perform testing After the work is done and before it is put back together.  If the samples did not come back degraded or unacceptable in the initial assessment, it should not need to have post testing performed.

Radon Testing

We offer Radon Testing services if we are also doing the Home Inspection.  We use side by side metal canisters and send them to a Lab for analysis.  They must be undistrubed in place for a period of 48 hours and then sealed and sent off.

Back To Services Page