RE: My Latest Mold Headache...

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

You sound like you’re scarring the “you

know what” out of the guy. Everything you said could really happen and

probably does in many situations. The way you laid it out just reminds me of what

the scammers do. They create a scary scenario and offer a solution for a price.

Not trying to offend, just giving feedback.

EnviroBob

From: iequality [mailto:iequality ] On Behalf Of snk1955@...

Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008

2:38 PM

To: iequality

Subject: Re: My Latest

Mold Headache...

Dear Will,

So the " expert " did not even

bring a moisture meter with him? Or a nose? There are literally

thousands of experts in the mold issue, from sampling to remediation, to

packing out properly, to setting up containment, to assessing diminished

property value, to providing legal advice, to health effects assessment,

to.....

Your tale made me wince. Made me think

about what could have happened had you not gone in a found the source of the

smell. Most likely, more money would have been spent to check the

HVAC. The true source of the mold would have gone undetected and the mold

would have spread while the " expert " was " helping " to

figure it out. Your buyers would get frustrated and distrustful with

you. You with them. More mold in the meantime. More experts

needed. More chance of illness of the family. More " relevant

data " and " expert opinions " to confuse the equation. More

damages sustained from the mold. (or is it from the experts?) in the way

of more exten$ive remediation required, po$sible relocation of the family,

po$sible medical bills, po$sible use of your in$urance, etc.

Posturing for litigation would

be the next step where you and your buyer are now pitted against each

other and can only speak thru your attorneys (another area of e$perti$e in the

mold game). Depending upon the word of the

origianl " expert " , he would have been yours or theirs while he

then generated beaucoup bucks as not only an expert, but now an expert

witness. The other of you would have had to go find another expert, or

maybe even several, who you could pay to see it your way.

Three years later, you and your

buyer would both be broke, devastated, beat up and unisurable.

In the meantime, the expert has been sharing his wisdom in many other places,

helping others just like he helped you.

If I were a builder and I knew this issue

may come into my life from time to time, I would take measures in advance to

determine who are some legitimate experts in my area. I would keep a

short list available to be given to my buyers should the situation arise.

I would provide the list upon request in writing with the

explicit understanding that they may choose anyone they please and I

am not endorsing these experts one iota. Merely attempting to help my

buyer find an expert with some legit credentials. I would make my

buyers sign that they had received this list and the notification they are

free to choose anyone they wish.

That way, you have helped your buyer to

hopefully head in the right direction for their protection and yours

without accepting responsibility for the workmanship of the expert. You do

realize, don't you, that even though you did not select the expert in

your situation, he was YOUR expert? Since you wrote the check, you

were the client.

Nasty game! So glad to hear a

little common sense was interjected early and this one turned out well for

both the builder and client.

No Expert. Just my opinion.

Sharon

On 4/1/08 12:00 PM,

" midsouthbuilders " <no_reply > wrote:

I am a builder and as such, no stranger to mold contamination. We just

finished a large custom home and within three weeks of occupancy, the

new homeowner was complaining about musty odors. Recognizing that we

could be dealing with mold, I suggested they find a mold inspector and

we would pick up the bill.

I show up about the same time the mold " expert " is completing a few

air

samples. He states " these will tell us if there is a problem " . I

state,

I can already tell you there is a problem because I can smell it.

The " expert " scurries back to truck promising results in three days.

I

walk back in to the house and simply follow my nose to the laundry room

where I find a leaking washer water hose. Turn off water, pull washer

away from wall, and presto - mold.

Two days later, mold is removed. Same day a call from the " expert "

says

the test show nothing significant going on so it must be the HVAC

system. I thanked him for his time and hung up.

I guess my question is - is there such a thing as a mold " expert " ?

Cause I think I could be one...

Will

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Travel Guides.

[Guest guest]

Bob,

I am scared! But not of mold, of self professed experts. If I was a builder, I sure would not want my new buyer to come in contact with one of these. I've seen it too many times where situations that should be easy to address become complicated and contentious, simply because the only true expertise of the expert involved is the art of self promotion.

Sharon

n a message dated 4/4/2008 9:37:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Bob@... writes:

Sharon,

You sound like you’re scarring the “you know what†out of the guy. Everything you said could really happen and probably does in many situations. The way you laid it out just reminds me of what the scammers do. They create a scary scenario and offer a solution for a price. Not trying to offend, just giving feedback.

EnviroBob

From: iequality [mailto:iequality ] On Behalf Of snk1955aolSent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 2:38 PMTo: iequality Subject: Re: My Latest Mold Headache...

Dear Will,

So the "expert" did not even bring a moisture meter with him? Or a nose? There are literally thousands of experts in the mold issue, from sampling to remediation, to packing out properly, to setting up containment, to assessing diminished property value, to providing legal advice, to health effects assessment, to.....

Your tale made me wince. Made me think about what could have happened had you not gone in a found the source of the smell. Most likely, more money would have been spent to check the HVAC. The true source of the mold would have gone undetected and the mold would have spread while the "expert" was "helping" to figure it out. Your buyers would get frustrated and distrustful with you. You with them. More mold in the meantime. More experts needed. More chance of illness of the family. More "relevant data" and "expert opinions" to confuse the equation. More damages sustained from the mold. (or is it from the experts?) in the way of more exten$ive remediation required, po$sible relocation of the family, po$sible medical bills, po$sible use of your in$urance, etc.

Posturing for litigation would be the next step where you and your buyer are now pitted against each other and can only speak thru your attorneys (another area of e$perti$e in the mold game). Depending upon the word of the origianl "expert", he would have been yours or theirs while he then generated beaucoup bucks as not only an expert, but now an expert witness. The other of you would have had to go find another expert, or maybe even several, who you could pay to see it your way.

Three years later, you and your buyer would both be broke, devastated, beat up and unisurable. In the meantime, the expert has been sharing his wisdom in many other places, helping others just like he helped you.

If I were a builder and I knew this issue may come into my life from time to time, I would take measures in advance to determine who are some legitimate experts in my area. I would keep a short list available to be given to my buyers should the situation arise. I would provide the list upon request in writing with the explicit understanding that they may choose anyone they please and I am not endorsing these experts one iota. Merely attempting to help my buyer find an expert with some legit credentials. I would make my buyers sign that they had received this list and the notification they are free to choose anyone they wish.

That way, you have helped your buyer to hopefully head in the right direction for their protection and yours without accepting responsibility for the workmanship of the expert. You do realize, don't you, that even though you did not select the expert in your situation, he was YOUR expert? Since you wrote the check, you were the client.

Nasty game! So glad to hear a little common sense was interjected early and this one turned out well for both the builder and client.

No Expert. Just my opinion.

Sharon

On 4/1/08 12:00 PM, "midsouthbuilders" <no_reply > wrote:

I am a builder and as such, no stranger to mold contamination. We just finished a large custom home and within three weeks of occupancy, the new homeowner was complaining about musty odors. Recognizing that we could be dealing with mold, I suggested they find a mold inspector and we would pick up the bill.I show up about the same time the mold "expert" is completing a few air samples. He states "these will tell us if there is a problem". I state, I can already tell you there is a problem because I can smell it.The "expert" scurries back to truck promising results in three days. I walk back in to the house and simply follow my nose to the laundry room where I find a leaking washer water hose. Turn off water, pull washer away from wall, and presto - mold.Two days later, mold is removed. Same day a call from the "expert" says the test show nothing significant going on so it must be the HVAC system. I thanked him for his time and hung up.I guess my question is - is there such a thing as a mold "expert"? Cause I think I could be one...Will

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[Guest guest]

http://www.hadd.com/sickhomes.php

Bob and Will,

Not smoke. Since I deal a lot with the advocacy community, I see what happens to families (and their builders) if you start off with an unjustified, self professed expert in the equation. Just like almost all mold cases, its not the mold itself, its the human error that causes the problems. Not playing the blame game. Just saying be careful WHO you choose as an expert right from the get go. It can be the difference between a simple solution and a nightmare for all involved.

Sharon

 Hello Sharon and Bob,

There is always a con underway some where, by someone. If you have a real case against someone, take the proper action. Other wise this thread is going back to the old blame game. Do your homework and make informed decisions, question everything and usually common sense is the solution. If I was the buyer, I would not use the builders expert.

Bradley HarrSr. Environmental Scientist

-----Original Message-----From: iequality [mailto:iequality ]On Behalf Of snk1955aolSent: Friday, April 04, 2008 11:04 AMTo: iequality Subject: Re: My Latest Mold Headache...

Bob,

I am scared! But not of mold, of self professed experts. If I was a builder, I sure would not want my new buyer to come in contact with one of these. I've seen it too many times where situations that should be easy to address become complicated and contentious, simply because the only true expertise of the expert involved is the art of self promotion.

Sharon

Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.

[Guest guest]

Bob, not to worry. I know smoke when I see it. Hardly a week goes by

that some sales genius doesn't tell me I am either going to kill

someone or maim them for life if I don't buy their product/service.

The mold guys don't have a corner on that market... yet...

Will

>

>

>

>

> I am a builder and as such, no stranger to mold contamination. We

just

> finished a large custom home and within three weeks of occupancy,

the

> new homeowner was complaining about musty odors. Recognizing that

we

> could be dealing with mold, I suggested they find a mold inspector

and

> we would pick up the bill.

>

> I show up about the same time the mold " expert " is completing a few

air

> samples. He states " these will tell us if there is a problem " . I

state,

> I can already tell you there is a problem because I can smell it.

>

> The " expert " scurries back to truck promising results in three

days. I

> walk back in to the house and simply follow my nose to the laundry

room

> where I find a leaking washer water hose. Turn off water, pull

washer

> away from wall, and presto - mold.

>

> Two days later, mold is removed. Same day a call from the " expert "

says

> the test show nothing significant going on so it must be the HVAC

> system. I thanked him for his time and hung up.

>

> I guess my question is - is there such a thing as a mold " expert " ?

> Cause I think I could be one...

>

> Will

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> _____

>

> Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL

> <http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?

ncid=aoltrv00030000000016>

> Travel Guides.

>

[Guest guest]



Hello Sharon and Bob,

There is always a con underway some where, by someone. If you have a real case against someone, take the proper action. Other wise this thread is going back to the old blame game. Do your homework and make informed decisions, question everything and usually common sense is the solution. If I was the buyer, I would not use the builders expert.

Bradley HarrSr. Environmental Scientist

-----Original Message-----From: iequality [mailto:iequality ]On Behalf Of snk1955@...Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 11:04 AMTo: iequality Subject: Re: My Latest Mold Headache...

Bob,

I am scared! But not of mold, of self professed experts. If I was a builder, I sure would not want my new buyer to come in contact with one of these. I've seen it too many times where situations that should be easy to address become complicated and contentious, simply because the only true expertise of the expert involved is the art of self promotion.

Sharon

n a message dated 4/4/2008 9:37:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, BobEnvironmentalAirTechs writes:

Sharon,

You sound like you’re scarring the “you know what†out of the guy. Everything you said could really happen and probably does in many situations. The way you laid it out just reminds me of what the scammers do. They create a scary scenario and offer a solution for a price. Not trying to offend, just giving feedback.

EnviroBob

From: iequality [mailto:iequality ] On Behalf Of snk1955aolSent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 2:38 PMTo: iequality Subject: Re: My Latest Mold Headache...

Dear Will,

So the "expert" did not even bring a moisture meter with him? Or a nose? There are literally thousands of experts in the mold issue, from sampling to remediation, to packing out properly, to setting up containment, to assessing diminished property value, to providing legal advice, to health effects assessment, to.....

Your tale made me wince. Made me think about what could have happened had you not gone in a found the source of the smell. Most likely, more money would have been spent to check the HVAC. The true source of the mold would have gone undetected and the mold would have spread while the "expert" was "helping" to figure it out. Your buyers would get frustrated and distrustful with you. You with them. More mold in the meantime. More experts needed. More chance of illness of the family. More "relevant data" and "expert opinions" to confuse the equation. More damages sustained from the mold. (or is it from the experts?) in the way of more exten$ive remediation required, po$sible relocation of the family, po$sible medical bills, po$sible use of your in$urance, etc.

Posturing for litigation would be the next step where you and your buyer are now pitted against each other and can only speak thru your attorneys (another area of e$perti$e in the mold game). Depending upon the word of the origianl "expert", he would have been yours or theirs while he then generated beaucoup bucks as not only an expert, but now an expert witness. The other of you would have had to go find another expert, or maybe even several, who you could pay to see it your way.

Three years later, you and your buyer would both be broke, devastated, beat up and unisurable. In the meantime, the expert has been sharing his wisdom in many other places, helping others just like he helped you.

If I were a builder and I knew this issue may come into my life from time to time, I would take measures in advance to determine who are some legitimate experts in my area. I would keep a short list available to be given to my buyers should the situation arise. I would provide the list upon request in writing with the explicit understanding that they may choose anyone they please and I am not endorsing these experts one iota. Merely attempting to help my buyer find an expert with some legit credentials. I would make my buyers sign that they had received this list and the notification they are free to choose anyone they wish.

That way, you have helped your buyer to hopefully head in the right direction for their protection and yours without accepting responsibility for the workmanship of the expert. You do realize, don't you, that even though you did not select the expert in your situation, he was YOUR expert? Since you wrote the check, you were the client.

Nasty game! So glad to hear a little common sense was interjected early and this one turned out well for both the builder and client.

No Expert. Just my opinion.

Sharon

On 4/1/08 12:00 PM, "midsouthbuilders" <no_reply > wrote:

I am a builder and as such, no stranger to mold contamination. We just finished a large custom home and within three weeks of occupancy, the new homeowner was complaining about musty odors. Recognizing that we could be dealing with mold, I suggested they find a mold inspector and we would pick up the bill.I show up about the same time the mold "expert" is completing a few air samples. He states "these will tell us if there is a problem". I state, I can already tell you there is a problem because I can smell it.The "expert" scurries back to truck promising results in three days. I walk back in to the house and simply follow my nose to the laundry room where I find a leaking washer water hose. Turn off water, pull washer away from wall, and presto - mold.Two days later, mold is removed. Same day a call from the "expert" says the test show nothing significant going on so it must be the HVAC system. I thanked him for his time and hung up.I guess my question is - is there such a thing as a mold "expert"? Cause I think I could be one...Will

Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

You’re correct and there is no need to

fear. If the client does end up with one of those self professing experts, hopefully

the builder will realize that paying for a good EC verses a cheap EC will be fewer

dollars in the end; especially if the builder losses.

It’s when the builder “also†looks for a

cheap EC that the real issues are not detected and resolved. Can you imagine

this scenario going to the way of the out of pocket expense sheet? Keep in mind;

they get what they pay for. If you want cheap, you get cheap! Some of us are

not cheap because some of us have more experience and not everyone wants to pay

for it although they do want to pick your brain for free. We can not help those

individuals and neither can anyone else and still pay your bills and stay in

business very long. I can say this because I have help so many people for free

that if I were paid even a little I would be a millionaire many time over. I

still help where I can. What I am tracking now is, have they learned anything,

have they changed, or just still wanting others to bail them out.

EnviroBob

From: iequality [mailto:iequality ] On Behalf Of Brad Harr

Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 4:35

PM

To: iequality

Subject: RE: My Latest

Mold Headache...



 

Hello Sharon and Bob,

There is always a con underway some where,

by someone. If you have a real case against someone, take the proper

action. Other wise this thread is going back to the old blame game.

Do your homework and make informed decisions, question everything and

usually common sense is the solution. If I was the buyer, I would not use

the builders expert.

Bradley Harr

Sr. Environmental Scientist

Re: My Latest

Mold Headache...

Dear Will,

So the " expert " did not even bring a moisture

meter with him? Or a nose? There are literally thousands of experts

in the mold issue, from sampling to remediation, to packing out properly, to

setting up containment, to assessing diminished property value, to

providing legal advice, to health effects assessment, to.....

Your tale made me wince. Made me think about what could

have happened had you not gone in a found the source of the smell. Most

likely, more money would have been spent to check the HVAC. The true

source of the mold would have gone undetected and the mold would have spread

while the " expert " was " helping " to figure it out. Your

buyers would get frustrated and distrustful with you. You with

them. More mold in the meantime. More experts needed. More

chance of illness of the family. More " relevant data " and

" expert opinions " to confuse the equation. More damages

sustained from the mold. (or is it from the experts?) in the way of more

exten$ive remediation required, po$sible relocation of the family, po$sible

medical bills, po$sible use of your in$urance, etc.

Posturing for litigation would be the next step

where you and your buyer are now pitted against each other and can only speak

thru your attorneys (another area of e$perti$e in the mold game).

Depending upon the word of the origianl " expert " , he would have

been yours or theirs while he then generated beaucoup bucks as not only an

expert, but now an expert witness. The other of you would have had

to go find another expert, or maybe even several, who you could pay to see

it your way.

Three years later, you and your buyer would both be

broke, devastated, beat up and unisurable. In the meantime, the

expert has been sharing his wisdom in many other places, helping others just

like he helped you.

If I were a builder and I knew this issue may come into my life

from time to time, I would take measures in advance to determine who are some

legitimate experts in my area. I would keep a short list available to be

given to my buyers should the situation arise. I would provide the

list upon request in writing with the explicit understanding that

they may choose anyone they please and I am not endorsing these

experts one iota. Merely attempting to help my buyer find an expert with

some legit credentials. I would make my buyers sign that they had

received this list and the notification they are free to choose anyone

they wish.

That way, you have helped your buyer to hopefully head in

the right direction for their protection and yours without accepting

responsibility for the workmanship of the expert. You do realize, don't you,

that even though you did not select the expert in your situation,

he was YOUR expert? Since you wrote the check, you were the client.

Nasty game! So glad to hear a little common sense was

interjected early and this one turned out well for both the builder and

client.

No Expert. Just my opinion.

Sharon

On 4/1/08 12:00 PM,

" midsouthbuilders " <no_reply > wrote:

I am a builder and as such, no stranger to mold contamination. We just

finished a large custom home and within three weeks of occupancy, the

new homeowner was complaining about musty odors. Recognizing that we

could be dealing with mold, I suggested they find a mold inspector and

we would pick up the bill.

I show up about the same time the mold " expert " is completing a few

air

samples. He states " these will tell us if there is a problem " . I

state,

I can already tell you there is a problem because I can smell it.

The " expert " scurries back to truck promising results in three days.

I

walk back in to the house and simply follow my nose to the laundry room

where I find a leaking washer water hose. Turn off water, pull washer

away from wall, and presto - mold.

Two days later, mold is removed. Same day a call from the " expert "

says

the test show nothing significant going on so it must be the HVAC

system. I thanked him for his time and hung up.

I guess my question is - is there such a thing as a mold " expert " ?

Cause I think I could be one...

Will

Planning your summer road trip? Check out

AOL

Travel Guides.