Common questions, answered.
Coverage, pricing, what a report includes, how to prep. If yours isn't here, send it and we'll add it.
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What is Building Biology?
A Building Biology assessment treats the home as a whole system, pulling in moisture, ventilation, materials, EMF, and air quality together. The training follows 25 principles through the Building Biology Institute. Standard mold inspections often stop at visible checks; a Building Biology assessment goes further by asking why the problems are happening in this particular home.
How long does an inspection take?
2-8 hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the property. An average single-family home runs about four hours. Larger homes with crawlspaces, finished attics, or a renovation history can run longer. The exterior assessment happens first, then interior room by room. Kit walks you through key findings before leaving.
Do you serve my area?
In-person inspections across Florida and Georgia. Virtual Consults across the entire US and Canada. If you’re outside FL or GA and want more than a consult, reach out. Kit travels for larger engagements when scope and timing align.
Do you sell remediation services?
No. Holistic Home Zone is an assessment-only practice. The report is independent. You can hand the IICRC remediation protocol to any qualified remediator. Kit can share names of qualified independent contractors in your area if you ask.
What do I get in the report?
A written report with photos, readings, measurements, and air sampling results when taken. Findings sorted by status: within range, elevated, action required. An IICRC remediation protocol if one is needed. Recommendations prioritized by impact. Plus a 30-minute consult after you receive the report.
How should I prepare?
See the preparing-for-inspection guide. The basics: let the air settle (turn off purifiers, keep windows closed for a day), access to closets and utility spaces, and avoid candles or diffusers that mask odor cues.
What is the difference between ERMI and HERTSMI-2?
ERMI is a 36-species qPCR dust test that baselines how a home compares to the EPA national housing database. HERTSMI-2 is a shorter five-species test used to a remediated home for a mold-sensitive occupant (a Shoemaker-protocol requirement). ERMI is broader. HERTSMI-2 is a pass/fail. Kit runs whichever test fits the question you’re asking.
Can I stay in the house during the inspection?
Yes, having the occupant on site means questions get asked and answered in real time. After your inspection, Kit will point out where the problems are. Pets & kids are fine, but need to be secured as he will be going in and out of the home and yard. Most inspections are quieter than a normal weekday.
Do you test drinking water?
Water tests can be added on to any assessment when requested.
What is the difference between mold and mildew?
“Mildew” is a casual term for surface-growth mold on bathroom grout, shower surrounds, window sills, and outdoor furniture. “Mold” is the broader category, including every fungal species, from benign outdoor molds to toxic water-damage indicators such as Stachybotrys and Chaetomium. Mildew is the visible tip. Mold is the problem when it grows inside wall cavities, under floors, or in HVAC systems.
Do you do post-remediation verification testing?
Yes, this is a required inspection for anyone completing a remediation project. It is very important to make sure all the mold is removed before reconstruction begins. Skipping the PRV can lead to future damages to your home and health.
How far will you travel?
Our standard service area is all of Florida and Georgia. Surrounding states are available upon request. For larger engagements (multi-property portfolios, commercial spaces, estate inspections) Kit will travel nationwide. Virtual consults are also available.
When do I get the report?
Within 3 days for most inspections. Lab-dependent results (ERMI, air cassettes) can require additional business days. Kit usually shares preliminary findings verbally during the site visit and follows with the written report.
Do I need an inspection if my doctor already diagnosed CIRS or mold illness?
Yes, and it’s often the first step your doctor will ask for. CIRS treatment requires a confirmed clean home before recovery progresses. Shoemaker-protocol physicians require HERTSMI-2 clearance on the primary residence. An HHZ Building Biology assessment identifies the environmental drivers your physician needs documented, and the report is accepted by most CIRS-literate doctors as the environmental workup.
What's the difference between a home inspector and a Building Biologist?
A home inspector checks whether a house is safe to live in by current code standards. Plumbing drains, roof integrity, HVAC function, electrical panel safety. A Building Biologist assesses whether a house is healthy to live in by much tighter indoor-environment standards. The 25 Building Biology principles are stricter than code.
Do EMF meters from Amazon work?
Some yes, most no. Consumer RF meters typically cover 4G LTE and mid-band 5G up to 6 GHz and miss mmWave 5G entirely. Magnetic field meters vary by an order of magnitude in accuracy. Dirty electricity meters are specialty equipment most consumer brands don’t make. It’s always best to have an EMRS Certified Building Biologist check your home before adding any EMF mitigation products to make sure everything works well together.
How soon can I book?
Contact us for our current availability! Deb tries to get people booked as quickly as possible and usually replies to booking requests within one business day.
Ready when you are.
Book an inspection, schedule a virtual consult, or request more information. Deb handles the scheduling so there’s a human at the other end of the phone.