I'm looking at my first foreclosure and was told by the realtor it is in need of mold abatement . It is also cash only as is . A contractor acquantiance of mine is urging me to buy as he would do the flip work and turn around quickly . He told me the mold is no problem as he has a "mold machine" which cleans up 100% of the mold .

Mold has to be tested to see if it is black mold, stachybotris, which is toxic. I had a tenant leave windows open all season and not use a shower curtain properly and got mold in the basement. There is no mold machine. I have been all through this. Anything with mold on it has to be cleaned with serious chemicals to kill it. They use watered down acid and it has to be brushed on the walls and then washed down.

Your "friend" the contractor is not being accurate. If the house has wall board he may have to tear all of it out. I would run away from this one and say No Thank YOu to the contractor friend.

My handyman removed all the goods in the basement where the mold was and bagged it and put it on the curb. Then he washed down the walls with mold inhibitor. His time was not cheap. I had to have the ducts cleaned and I decided to replace the older heater to make sure mold did not spread throughout the house.

Bob,

It depends on WHERE the mold is.

If the drywall got wet the mold is thru and thru the gypsum. (Mold likes to eat gypsum, the thing drywall is made of. )

Easiest is to cut it out, treat it with mold / mildewcide, let dry, seal, replace drywall, paint.

Understand the insurance companies keep track of mold complaints on houses and might not insure the house unless you can prove proper remediation. Cannot get a mortgage or resell without insurance.

BUT...

I LOVE stinky, ugly, moldy house because everyone else shys away.

Of course your contractor wants the business! Just get a firm QUOTE not an estimate so you can make your calulations.

BRAD

As a licensed contractor of many specialty trades, I often deal with sub-contractors when time is an issue. I find they promise the world up front knowingly they won't be able to perform as promised. Once I have the signed written estimate in hand, I demand a "payment" and "performance" Bond -- costing me around 3% of the total contract price.

So in one case after buying a flooded out house, I subbed out different aspects of the job is trade specialist. Here was the first phase of the work:

1) Take air and other samples and locate hazards.

2) Safely using known methods, abate all hazards and dispose of propertly. (not going in specific details)

3) Retest

4) I get to review all work and test and confirm all demolition is complete before next phase of the project continues and before I make another progress payment.

I found that some areas were overlooked of skipped. Contaminates were ignored. Not because it was going to cost extra, the sub's just wanted to finish their known work, get paid and move on.

I wanted the property to be safe for my workers, myself and the potential buyers down the road -- even maybe a renter.

Moisture had caused mold in areas above the water line and were hidden in walls left in place. The mold had "dried" but could be reactivated if the humidity or climate peaked. I then, for an extra fee had the entire inside first level drywall and plaster removed. Then everything was re-tested.

"We buy moldy house!" outta have a sign LOL!

FROM THE EPA WEBSITE:

No,mold won't do you that much harm.But smoking will. Brad its not the gypsum that the mold gets into but the damp paper encasing it. The best mold machine I know of is where you mix a gallon of Regular Bleach and four or five gallon of Regular Water,an old tee shirt and a lot of Elbow Grease,supplied by you.Cant beat it,As long as your careful...........charlie

I would be more concerned about what is causing the moisture than the mold itself. You stop the water, and spread of mold will stop.

I have done countless flip houses with mold. Many without a mask. No issue. It's mainly hype.

The sensitive people are sensitive to it.