In short, usually not! Because, remember the saying: “no mold, no matter what color, belongs in a healthy home.” And that is good news because a professional mold inspection with testing can run anywhere from $300-$750. In most cases where mold is clearly visible, knowing exactly what type of mold you have is unnecessary. We advise most of our clients to forgo the inspection process and just apply that money saved to the cost of fixing the problem. The EPA agrees that mold testing isn’t necessary in most cases.
There are exceptions, however, such as when a mold inspection with testing is required as part of a real estate sale or if you require “proof” that a mold problem is present, such as for a legal dispute. If you think you may have a mold problem, but aren’t sure, then we recommend formal testing from a professional. And if you require clearance testing to verify an “all clear” after a mold problem is fixed, then professional mold testing is necessary.