RescueHero technician taking moisture readings during a free mold assessment in Vancouver, WA

IICRC Certified · No Charge · No Obligation

Worried About Mold? Start With a Free Portland & Vancouver Assessment

A free assessment: we inspect every accessible area, take moisture readings, and tell you plainly whether you have mold and where it is coming from.

20+
Years in the Trades
90min
Response Time
Top 4%
of WA Contractors
100%
Insurance Handled
IICRC-certified technician performing visual mold inspection with moisture meter readings

What We Cover

What Our Free Mold Assessment Includes

We are remediators, not independent testers, we will tell you exactly what that means, when you need a separate lab test, and why.

Visual Inspection of All Accessible Areas

We walk every area where mold is suspected or plausible: crawl space, attic, basement, bathrooms, utility rooms, around windows, HVAC. If we see growth, we photograph it. If conditions are right but growth is not visible, we say that too.

Moisture Meter Readings

Calibrated digital readings on drywall, wood framing, subfloor, ceiling, and roof sheathing, tells us whether materials are currently wet or dry and identifies active versus historic moisture.

Moisture Source Identification

The most important step. We determine where the water is coming from, roof leak, plumbing, ground evaporation, misdirected exhaust fan, foundation drainage. Remediation without fixing the source guarantees recurrence.

What This Assessment Does NOT Include

Air sampling, surface swab lab analysis, or an independent IH report. Those are separate services by independent firms. We tell you clearly when and why you might need them, and provide referrals.

Call (360) 300-4111

Lab Testing vs. Our Assessment

When You Actually Need a Mold Test

Real estate transactions

Buyers, sellers, or their agents often need a written report from a credentialed inspector (typically a certified industrial hygienist) with lab-analyzed air or surface samples. This creates a document that can be attached to disclosure paperwork or used in repair negotiations. Our free assessment does not produce this document; a certified IH firm does.

Insurance claim documentation

If you are filing a mold-related insurance claim, your adjuster may require air sampling results from an independent source to quantify the contamination. We assess the situation and can provide a referral to an independent testing firm. See our insurance documentation guide.

Health symptoms requiring species ID

If occupants have ongoing respiratory symptoms and a physician or allergist wants to know whether a specific mold species is present (Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Chaetomium), surface swab or air samples sent to a lab can provide that information. Our free assessment cannot confirm species.

Post-remediation clearance

After remediation is complete, the best practice is to have clearance testing performed by a party independent from the remediator. This avoids the conflict of interest that arises when the company that did the work also certifies it complete. We recommend and refer to independent industrial hygienists for clearance testing. We will not perform our own clearance sampling and represent it as independent.

Estimated cost context for third-party testing: Surface swab sampling runs approximately $25 to $50 per sample plus lab fees. Air sampling sessions run approximately $100 to $300 per session plus lab fees. A full IH inspection with written report typically runs $300 to $600.

Thermal imaging camera used during a free mold assessment in a Portland-area home

Why Start Here

Why Most Homeowners Start Here, Not With a $400 Lab Test

Most homeowners need to know if mold is present, where the water is coming from, and what remediation would cost, not a species report, and the free assessment answers all three in one visit.

Answers the Three Questions That Matter

Is there mold, where is the water coming from, and what would remediation look like and cost? The free assessment answers all three, usually in 45 to 90 minutes.

No Financial Incentive to Overstate

We show you what we see, photograph it, and give you a scope and estimate. No referral fees from testing labs. No pressure to book remediation on the day of the assessment.

One Call, Clear Next Step

Whether the assessment confirms mold, finds no current growth, or identifies a situation needing independent testing, you leave with a clear picture and a specific recommended next step.

What to Expect

What Happens During Your Free Assessment

1
Confirm the appointment. We confirm the time and arrive on schedule. Same-day availability in most cases; 24/7 for urgent situations involving active water intrusion or recent water damage.
2
Walkthrough with you. You tell us what you have noticed (smell, visible staining, recent water event) and where your concerns are. Context from you helps us know where to look first.
3
Inspection of all accessible areas. Moisture meter readings and flashlight inspection of every area where mold is plausible, from crawl space to attic.
4
Share findings on the spot. We photograph any findings and show them to you immediately. No waiting for a report before you know what is there.
5
Discuss what we found. Growth present or not, moisture source identified or suspected, IICRC Condition estimate, and recommended scope, all explained in plain language before we leave.
6
Written estimate for remediation if warranted. If remediation is appropriate, you receive a written scope and cost estimate. No hard sell, no pressure to book on the day.

Why RescueHero

Disaster Is Stressful Enough

We take the weight off your shoulders, fast response, real expertise, and an insurance process we handle for you.

A Portland-area home fully restored by RescueHero Restoration

Fast 24/7 Response

We answer day or night and arrive on-site in 90 minutes or less, because water damage spreads by the hour.

We Handle Your Insurance

We document the loss and bill your insurance company directly, so you can focus on your family.

IICRC-Certified Crews

Trained, certified technicians using industrial drying, thermal imaging and proven methods to restore your home.

Local Experts Since 2003

Two decades restoring Portland-metro homes and businesses, ranked in the top 4% of Washington contractors.

How It Works

Three Steps to Your Home Restored

A clear, calm process from your first call through the final repair.

1

Call & Rapid Response

Call (360) 300-4111 any time. We dispatch a crew and arrive on-site in 90 minutes or less to assess the damage and stop it from spreading.

2

Mitigate & Dry

We stop the source, extract water, and set up industrial drying to prevent mold and further loss, documenting everything for your claim.

3

Restore & Rebuild

From repairs to full reconstruction, we return your home to pre-loss condition and handle your insurance claim from start to finish.

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Fully licensed in Oregon & Washington (WA #PALIYCL840CR · OR CCB #178996), with full insurance for your peace of mind.

IICRC Certified

Our technicians are trained and certified to IICRC industry standards for water, fire and mold restoration.

Workmanship You Can Trust

We don’t leave until it’s done right, restored to pre-loss condition or better.

RescueHero specialist helping a homeowner couple with their insurance claim

Insurance Claims Made Easy

We Work Directly With Your Insurance

If mold found during the assessment resulted from a covered water event, a burst pipe, appliance failure, or storm-driven intrusion, remediation may be covered under your homeowners policy. Some adjusters require independent air sampling documentation; we can coordinate a referral to an independent testing firm. We bill your insurance carrier directly and advocate for a fair, accurate scope of loss.

  • Billed directly to your insurance carrier
  • Full photo & moisture documentation
  • We advocate for a fair, complete claim
  • You choose your contractor, not the insurer
Start Your Claim

Built on Trust

Two Decades of 5-Star Craftsmanship

RescueHero is the restoration arm of the Paliy family’s construction company, rated 5.0 on HomeAdvisor and ranked in the top 4% of Washington contractors by BuildZoom. The same proven team and standards, now restoring homes and businesses after disaster.

5.0 on HomeAdvisor
Top 4% · BuildZoom
Established Since 2003

“The work was done efficiently and professionally, with very good communication.”

A
Allan F.
Verified review

“Great work! Fast, clean, customer friendly!”

J
Jake B.
Verified review

“Art and David were extremely professional and answered all my questions while installing our new floors.”

E
Erica G.
Verified review

Verified reviews of the Paliy family’s construction & remodeling work (BuildZoom). Restoration reviews coming as RescueHero launches.

Questions & Answers

Mold Inspection and Assessment: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a mold inspection vs. a mold assessment?
A mold inspection performed by a certified industrial hygienist (IH) typically involves air sampling, surface swab collection, and lab analysis, resulting in a written report with species identification and spore counts. It generally costs $300 to $600. Our free mold remediation assessment is a different service: a visual inspection of all accessible areas, moisture meter readings on suspect surfaces, identification of the moisture source, and an estimate of remediation scope and cost. It does not include air sampling or a lab report. The assessment is the right starting point for most homeowners. An IH inspection is the right tool when you need documentation for a real estate transaction, insurance claim, health-related species identification, or post-remediation clearance.
How much does a mold inspection cost?
An independent mold inspection by a certified industrial hygienist typically runs $300 to $600 for a full inspection with written report and lab analysis. Surface swab samples alone (without an IH visit) run approximately $25 to $50 per sample plus lab fees. Our free mold remediation assessment, which covers a visual inspection, moisture meter readings, source identification, and a written scope and estimate, is provided at no charge and with no obligation to book remediation. We can refer you to independent testing firms for services requiring lab documentation.
When do I actually need lab testing?
There are four situations where lab testing adds real value. First, real estate transactions: buyers, sellers, and agents often need a credentialed written report with lab results for disclosure or negotiation purposes. Second, insurance claims: some adjusters require independent air sampling data to quantify contamination. Third, health concerns: if occupants have respiratory symptoms and a physician wants species identification, a lab can provide that. Fourth, post-remediation clearance: clearance testing should be performed by an independent party, not the remediator, to avoid conflict of interest. For all other situations, a visual assessment with moisture readings gives you the information you need.
Can you do both the assessment and the remediation?
Yes, and it is standard industry practice for the remediator to perform the initial scoping assessment. There is no ethical issue with doing both as long as the assessment is transparent about what it is, a scope estimate not an independent lab test. Where conflict of interest becomes a concern is in post-remediation clearance testing. The company that did the remediation should not also certify that the work is complete. For clearance testing after a job we perform, we recommend and provide referrals to an independent industrial hygienist. We do not perform our own clearance sampling and represent it as independent.
How long does your free assessment take?
Typically 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the home and how many areas require inspection. We walk all accessible areas (crawl space, attic, basement, bathrooms, utility rooms, and any area of specific concern), take moisture readings on suspect surfaces, photograph findings, and discuss results with you before we leave. We provide a written scope and cost estimate for remediation if growth is identified. You are welcome to ask questions throughout, we want you to understand what you are looking at before we leave.

Where We Work

Serving the Portland & Vancouver Metro

Fast, local response across the entire Portland/Vancouver metro. Our crews are based right here, so when you call, help is already on the way.

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RescueHero Restoration branded van serving the Portland and Vancouver metro

Stop Guessing. A Free Assessment Gives You a Clear Answer in Under 90 Minutes.

Call or schedule online, we are available 24/7 and will have a technician on-site within 90 minutes for urgent situations.

Get Help Now

Tell Us What Happened

Tell us what happened and we’ll call you right back. For an active emergency, please call or text (360) 300-4111, we answer 24/7.

Call or Text, 24/7(360) 300-4111 Emailoffice@callrescuehero.com
Office5305 NE 121st Ave, Ste 312, Vancouver, WA 98682

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