Re: Express your opinion on Mold regulation PHARES

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Phares:

I am wondering about something attributed to you in this
article. What do you know about liability insurance for this
type of contractor? GL for most contractors would probably
exclude mold related coverage these days. I suppose a 'mold
remediation' contractor, or any contractor could purchase
specific mold coverage, but I gotta believe you would want to
look at the fine print. You know anything about this?

In any event, I think contractor experience, as revealed by
the old fashioned reference check, would be more important
than insurance or even special licensing. After all, a
nightmare job is still a problem. The litigation associated
with a claim would take forever. State criteria for licensing
mold contractors would almost certainly look like the asbestos
contractor experience. The upshot is, probably any idiot could
satisfy the requirement.

While I certainly agree that there are some/many bad
contractors/consultants out there, I don't think regulation or
insurance improves their skill set.

I think 'those darn trolling plaintiff guys' are at least as
much to blame for the current problem. Good contractors are
scared to death and become very (overly) conservative, driving
up costs for owners. Likewise with many consultants. This is
one reason why some have been known to recommend evacuation of
buildings and disposal of contents. The other reason I suppose
is that they may be idiots. For sure there is a time for that,
but it has got to be pretty rare.

Best Regards,

Mary

On 2/15/04, Phares Heindl wrote:
> On 2/13/04, Phares Heindl wrote:
>> ASTOR, Fla. -- A Central Florida woman is blaming toxic
>> mold for stealing her health.
>> To add to her woes, when a mold removal specialist showed
>> up, the condition went from bad to worse, WESH NewsChannel
>> 2 reported.
>>
>> Deborah Calloway, 43, lost part of her lung last year. Her
>> doctors blame toxic mold.
>>
>> "[There was] never nothing wrong with me; perfect health. I
>> was on the go 24-7," Calloway said.
>>
>> Contractor Micah Bass is working on Calloway's home to get
>> rid of the mold. Another contractor botched the job, and
>> that's the problem. Many people decide they know how to get
>> rid of toxic mold, but Florida doesn't regulate the
>> industry. Anyone can hang out a shingle and try to get a
>> mold removal job. The risks are mounting.
>>
>> Altamonte Springs attorney Phares Heindl represents mold-
>> affected clients. Because of a lack of state regulation,
>> here's one safeguard to take.
>>
>> "One of the things you should look for if you're going to
>> hire a mold remediatior. Do they have liability insurance?
>> Because if they don't remediate the home right, someone's
>> going to have to be held responsible for that," Heindl said.
>>
>> Those seeking mold removal can also protect themselves by
>> calling the Better Business Bureau. When a company is
>> located, references can be checked with past customers. The
>> same company shouldn't be hired to inspect and remove mold.
>>
>> By keeping the inspector and removal specialist separate,
>> experts said customers are more likely to get honest work.
>>
>> Alan and Deborah Calloway learned the hard way the price of
>> an industry unregulated.
>>
>> To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Kathy Marsh.
>>
>>
>
> So far 89&37; favor regulation.

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