In short: we inspect Boca Raton homes and condos for mold at no charge, using moisture meters to find how far the water and the growth have spread, and leave a written scope and price. If you want lab results, an air test or a clearance report, an independent licensed mold assessor does that, usually for $350–$900.
What our free inspection covers
The visit starts where you have seen or smelled something, then widens. A stain on a ceiling sends us into the attic; a musty bedroom sends us to the AC closet and the bathroom on the other side of the wall. At each spot we:
- Read the moisture in drywall, baseboards, cabinet bases and subfloor with a pin and pinless meter, so we can draw the wet boundary instead of guessing it.
- Check indoor humidity and temperature, and look at how the AC is set and draining.
- Look at the likely water sources: supply lines, shower valves, the condensate pan and line, windows, the roof deck from inside the attic.
- Photograph what we find, so you have a record for yourself, your association or your insurer.
You leave the visit knowing what is growing where, roughly how much material has to come out, what caused it and what the job will cost in writing. There is no charge and no obligation.
Mold testing and clearance: who does it, and why it is not us
Florida licenses mold assessors and mold remediators separately, and the law bars an assessor from remediating a structure they assessed in the previous 12 months. The point is independence: the person telling you how bad it is should not be the person paid to fix it. So when lab testing is useful, we arrange for an independent licensed assessor and they report to you, not to us.
Testing earns its cost in a few situations:
- You smell mold but cannot see it. Air samples compared against an outdoor control can show whether there is a hidden source worth opening walls to find.
- A sale, a lease or an association needs paperwork. A written assessment carries weight that a contractor's opinion does not.
- Your insurer or adjuster asks for it. Some claims need a protocol written by an assessor before work starts.
- After remediation. A clearance test before the containment comes down confirms the work area is back to normal levels.
When the growth is visible and the cause is obvious, testing rarely changes what needs doing. We will tell you honestly when it is worth paying for and when it is not.
What it costs
| Job | Estimate | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Visual inspection with moisture readings | Free | What we do before quoting any job |
| Independent assessment with air samples | $350–$900 | Licensed assessor; usually two to four samples plus an outdoor control |
| Additional air or surface sample | $75–$150 per sample | Lab fee per extra room or swab |
| Post-remediation clearance test | $250–$600 | Assessor's visual check and samples before containment comes down |
These figures are estimates gathered from Florida assessors' published rates and national cost guides, checked in October 2026. The assessor quotes their own fee directly; we only coordinate the visit.
Signs it is time for an inspection
- A musty smell that is strongest when the AC starts, or in one closet or bathroom.
- Stains, bubbling paint or soft drywall near a bathroom, kitchen or the air handler.
- A leak, roof problem or AC overflow in the last few weeks, even if it dried on the surface.
- A unit that has been closed up over the summer, especially if the AC was turned off or set high.
- Indoor humidity that stays above 60 percent on a hygrometer.
Inspections in condos
High-rise units along A1A and around Mizner Park raise one extra question: whose water is it? A wet wall shared with the next unit, or a stain under the unit above, often traces to a neighbor's plumbing or a building riser. We note where the moisture is entering and write it up so your association can act on it. If you are out of state, a property manager or neighbor can let us in and we will send photos and readings the same day.
Already sure it needs removing? See mold remediation in Boca Raton for how the work runs, or the full cost guide for remediation prices.
Mold inspection & testing: common questions
Is the mold inspection really free?
Yes. The visual inspection, moisture readings and written estimate cost nothing. Lab testing by an independent assessor is separate and is quoted by the assessor before it happens.
Can a home inspector test for mold?
A home inspector may note signs of moisture or growth, but in Florida a formal mold assessment is done by a licensed mold assessor. If you need samples analyzed, that is who should take them.
How long do air test results take?
Most labs return results in two to five business days. Rush processing is available from many labs at extra cost when a closing date or claim deadline is close.
What if the test comes back normal but I still smell mold?
Air samples are a snapshot. A smell usually means moisture somewhere, so we look harder at the AC closet, wall cavities near plumbing and the attic before deciding anything needs to come out.
Last updated October 8, 2026