Not all mold testing is the same. The equipment, laboratory analysis, credentials, insurance, and reporting quality behind a mold test vary widely between companies — and most people have no way to tell the difference until the results come back. Here’s what to actually look for when you just need mold testing done, not a full building inspection.
| What to check | What to ask | ABM Environmental |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the testing | What certification does the person on site hold? | Senior Project Consultant, 18+ years of experience — not a technician |
| Insurance | Does the company carry professional liability (E&O) insurance? | Yes — general liability, professional liability, and WorkSafeBC coverage |
| Lab analysis | Full-trace or partial-trace, and is the lab local? | Full-trace analysis through a local BC laboratory |
| The report | Plain-language interpretation, or just a lab certificate? | Full interpretation plus specific, actionable recommendations |
| Report acceptance | Has it been accepted by banks, courts, or tribunals? | CMHC, Genworth, banks, insurers, municipalities, BC Residential Tenancy Branch, BC Human Rights Tribunal, BC Provincial Court |
Who is actually doing the testing
Ask what certification the person collecting your samples actually holds. A single-purpose “certified mold inspector” credential is not the same as a Senior Project Consultant with broad, multi-discipline training across mold inspection, asbestos surveying, water damage restoration and industrial hygiene management. At ABM Environmental, every mold test is performed and interpreted by a Senior Project Consultant with over 18 years of experience — not handed off to a technician.
What kind of lab analysis is performed
Mold air samples can be analyzed by “full trace” or “partial trace” methods — full trace analysis counts and identifies a complete sample, making it more sensitive to picking up problems and more accurate than partial trace methods, which extrapolate results from only a portion of the sample. ABM Environmental uses full trace analysis through a local BC laboratory for air samples; some companies ship samples to labs in the United States, adding time and reducing local accountability.
What’s actually in the report
A proper mold testing report should include plain-language interpretation of the lab results — not just the raw lab certificate of analysis. Some companies provide only the lab certificate with no interpretation, or a report that simply recommends “contact a remediation contractor” with no specifics. ABM Environmental’s reports include full interpretation of lab results in plain language, along with specific, actionable recommendations.
Whether the report will actually be accepted where it needs to go
If the report needs to satisfy a bank, insurer, tribunal, or court, ask whether the company’s reports have a track record of being accepted there. ABM Environmental’s reports have been accepted by CMHC, Genworth, banks, insurance companies, municipalities, the BC Residential Tenancy Branch, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and BC Provincial Court.
Insurance coverage
A mold testing company should carry professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance covering the testing and report itself — this coverage requires the company to go through a qualification process with the insurer before it’s issued, so a company that has obtained it has effectively already been vetted as capable of doing the work. Many companies that apply for this coverage are unable to qualify for it at all. ABM Environmental carries general liability and professional liability insurance, along with WorkSafeBC coverage. See our full breakdown of ABM Environmental’s insurance coverage.
Red flags to watch for
Two things are worth checking before you hire anyone, because they’re the easiest way to tell a properly qualified company apart from one that isn’t: insurance and specifics.
If a company’s website doesn’t mention insurance at all, that’s worth asking about directly — not every company is willing or able to carry professional liability (errors & omissions) coverage for the work, and a company that qualifies for it usually says so, because it’s a real differentiator.
Be equally cautious of vague qualification language like “trained and certified technicians” with no further detail. That phrase says nothing about which certification, from which organization, or how much experience the specific person coming to your property actually has. Ask directly: what certification does this person hold, and how many years have they been doing this work? A company confident in its qualifications will give you a straight answer — name, credential, and years of experience — not a general reassurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance should a mold testing company have?
At minimum, general liability and professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance covering the testing itself, plus WorkSafeBC coverage. If the same company also performs remediation work, see our separate guide on choosing a mold remediation company for the additional coverage that applies there.
How can I tell if a mold testing company is properly qualified?
One reliable check is whether the company carries professional liability (errors & omissions) insurance for its testing. Insurers only issue this coverage after putting the company through their own qualification process, so a company that has obtained it has effectively already been vetted — and many companies that apply for this coverage are turned down.
What’s the difference between full-trace and partial-trace mold lab analysis?
Full-trace analysis examines and identifies the complete air sample, making it more sensitive to picking up problems and more accurate than partial-trace methods, which extrapolate results from only a portion of it. ABM Environmental uses full-trace analysis through a local BC laboratory for air samples.
Are mold testing reports accepted by banks and insurance companies?
ABM Environmental’s reports have been accepted by CMHC, Genworth, banks, insurance companies, municipalities, the BC Residential Tenancy Branch, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and BC Provincial Court.
Is it a conflict of interest for a company to offer both mold testing and remediation?
ABM Environmental provides both testing and remediation services, but in most cases performs no remediation work for its own testing clients — the report is used to hire whichever contractor the client chooses. Clients who want a fully independent, testing-only engagement with no remediation offered can request that directly.
What should I be cautious of when choosing a mold testing company?
Two things in particular: whether the company discloses its insurance coverage, and how specific it is about who’s actually doing the work. A company that doesn’t mention insurance on its website, or that only offers vague language like “trained and certified technicians” without naming the certification or the person’s experience, may not have much to say if you ask for specifics. ABM Environmental states its coverage and credentials plainly, and every test is performed by a named Senior Project Consultant with over 18 years of experience.
Call (604) 568-5177 for a free phone consultation, or fill out our online assessment form for a quote or to book.
Written by Brian Mackenzie, Senior Project Consultant at ABM Environmental, with over 18 years of experience in indoor environmental consulting.