What does a mould survey include?

Tell the surveyor why you need the visit

Perhaps the same patch returns every winter. Perhaps you have moved into a property and want an existing problem assessed. Or someone has asked you to supply a report. Say which applies and show any written requirements before booking.

A report for your own maintenance decisions may not meet an insurer’s or another party’s requirements. Ask the intended recipient what they need rather than assuming any document labelled “survey” will do.

Agree the inspection scope

Ask which rooms and accessible surfaces will be inspected, whether observations of ventilation or moisture are included and what tools, if any, will be used. Discuss restricted access before the appointment.

A non-invasive visit does not mean every concealed space will be examined. Ask how the report will record areas that could not be accessed and what would justify further investigation. A thorough visual inspection is important: NIOSH highlights its usefulness when assessing damp buildings.

Source: CDC/NIOSH: mould, testing and remediation.

What to request in the report

Use this as a checklist when comparing quotations. It is a suggested brief, not a claim that every survey includes all these items.

• The date, rooms inspected and access limitations.
• Photographs identified by room or location.
• Observations separated from suspected causes.
• An explanation of any readings and the conditions in which they were taken.
• Recommended next steps, including anything needing another trade or specialist.
• Whether sampling was undertaken and where any separate laboratory results will appear.

Are tests included?

Do not assume they are. Ask whether the price is for inspection only, or also covers sampling, laboratory analysis and an explanation of results. If a sample is proposed, ask what question it is intended to answer.

Request the full cost and expected reporting time before agreeing to it. An extra test is only useful to you if you understand why it is being suggested.

Bring the property history

Keep previous photographs, repair dates and reports together. A short list is fine: when the problem first appeared, what changed, and what has already been done. You do not need to tidy the evidence away or repaint before the visit.

For EMS, start with your postcode and the reason you need the survey. That lets us discuss the required scope rather than treating every enquiry as the same appointment.