Short answer: Under Virginia law (§ 59.1-200, as amended by HB2195 in 2025), anyone selling residential mold remediation must hold a certification from a nationally or internationally recognized body and follow remediation standards. Removal requests from this site go only to certified remediation companies, and you should ask to see the certification.
Musty smell, a stain or a past leak? Schedule mold testing with a local specialist.Get a free quote
When you can do it yourself
EPA says that if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (roughly 3 ft by 3 ft), you can usually handle it yourself, after fixing the water problem. Larger areas, mold in HVAC, or mold after sewage or flood water call for a professional.
What to ask a remediation company
- Which certification do you hold (for example IICRC), and can I see it?
- Do you hold a Virginia contractor license? Va. Code § 54.1-1100 counts "remediation, cleanup, or containment of premises to remove contaminants" as an improvement under the contractor definition.
- Will you follow a written scope, ideally from an independent inspector?
- How will you contain the area and protect the rest of the house?
- Is a post-remediation clearance test included, and who performs it?
- What fixes the moisture source, and is that in the quote?
Tip: get a test or written scope first (see testing costs), then have two companies quote the same scope.
Schedule mold testing in Charlottesville
Testing, removal or both. A local specialist will contact you, usually within one business day. Free quote, no obligation.
Sources
- Code of Virginia § 59.1-200 (Virginia Consumer Protection Act): https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title59.1/chapter17/section59.1-200/
- HB2195 (2025), mold remediator certification: https://www.vpap.org/bills/85702/HB2195/
- Code of Virginia § 54.1-1100, contractor definitions: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1100/
- EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home: https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home