Spore counts. Species identification. Indoor-vs-outdoor comparison. Defensible AIHA-accredited lab analysis. Written reports for insurance, real estate, post-remediation clearance, or health-related decisions.
Buyer-driven diligence
TDLR-required verification
Carrier-requested testing
Health-symptom-driven testing
Indoor + outdoor control
Visible suspected mold
Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, etc
After water damage events
Dispatcher discusses what question you need answered. Schedules visit based on testing scope.
Air sampling, surface sampling, or both. Number of samples planned: minimum 2, typical 3-6.
Calibrated spore-trap pump for air samples. Tape lifts or swabs for surface samples.
Independent third-party lab. Spore counts per cubic meter. Species identification.
Default option. Cost-effective for non-urgent assessments.
Time-sensitive real estate or insurance deadlines.
Houston's flood history and humidity make mold testing a regular need. Real estate transactions drive demand during peak season.
Insurance disputes around mold often come down to data. Carrier says "there's no mold" — AIHA-accredited spore counts say otherwise. Defensible third-party lab data wins disputes that opinion-based assessments cannot.
Post-remediation clearance testing (required by TDLR for jobs over 25 sq ft) verifies successful remediation. Texas rules require the clearance MAC to be different from the assessment MAC.
We know each major Texas carrier's playbook for this loss type
Most projects bill direct to insurance. Out-of-pocket cost is typically your deductible only.
Standard lab analysis per sample. AIHA-accredited lab. 3-5 day turnaround.
Inspection time + 4-8 samples. Most Houston homes fall in this range.
24-48hr lab results at premium for real estate closing or insurance pressure.
"Real estate closing in 3 days, buyers demanded mold testing. Expedited turnaround came back in 36 hours. Indoor counts within normal range. Deal closed on schedule."
"Allstate disputed our mold remediation scope. Air sampling proved 18,000 spores/m3 of Stachybotrys in the affected room vs. 600/m3 outdoor baseline. Adjuster approved full scope."
"Their remediation team finished the job; their separate MAC inspector did our clearance test. Indoor counts back to normal. TDLR-compliant separation gave us total confidence."
Minimum 2 (indoor + outdoor control). Most Houston jobs use 3-6 samples. Larger properties or complex situations may need 6-12.
$50-$120 per sample plus inspection time. Total $300-$800 for typical residential. Expedited turnaround at premium (typically +50%).
Standard lab: 3-5 business days. Expedited: 24-48 hours at premium.
Air sampling captures actual spore counts present at sampling time. The outdoor control is always sampled the same day under the same humidity for proper comparison.
Context-dependent. Compare to outdoor control. Indoor higher than outdoor by 10x+ for typical species = elevated.
Testing is the lab-analysis component. Inspection is the broader assessment that may include testing.
AIHA-accredited lab, TDLR MAC-licensed sampling, defensible reports — for insurance, real estate, clearance verification, or peace of mind.