Top Mold Testing Companies in Seattle: Complete Guide

Seattle is often cool, wet, and damp most of the year. Roof leaks, wet crawlspaces, leaky condos, and cold outside walls can all make it easy for hidden mold to grow in basements, attics, and behind drywall.

Washington State does not give out licenses to mold inspectors. This means anyone can say they are a “mold expert.” Because of this, it is even more important to pick a good company for mold testing.

This guide explains how mold inspection works in Seattle. It also shows what you might have to pay and highlights some of the better companies in the area.

Key Highlights

• Seattle has a long wet season. Many older houses here often get mold in crawl spaces, basements, attics, and on cold outside walls.

• Washington does not make mold inspectors have a license. So, you need to check their credentials, insurance, and that they follow good, fair business practices.

• Most mold checks in Seattle cost between $300 and $450 for small areas. For bigger jobs in some homes, it can cost from $900 to more than $1,500.

• “Free inspections” are often just visits from cleaning companies. These are not real, report-based mold checks.

• Companies that only inspect, or clearly separate inspection from cleanup work, are often safer for buyers, renters, and owners who want to be careful.

Introduction

Seattle gets rain for a long time. There are many cloudy days and it feels cool outside. Roofs, decks, and outside walls stay wet for months. Water can build up in crawlspaces. Condos and townhomes may have siding and window issues that let water stay inside the walls.

Homes in Seattle are usually sealed tight to help save energy. If water gets inside and cannot dry out, mold will have an easy and safe spot to grow. So, mold trouble often happens in basements, crawlspaces, attics, and on cold outside walls.

Washington does not ask inspectors to have a license to do mold work. This makes it easy for anyone to say they can do “mold testing.” To be safe, you need someone who has real training. They should also have the right insurance. You want a person or business that does not make money only by selling cleanup jobs.

What Is Mold Testing and Inspection in Seattle?

Mold testing is when you take air and surface samples. You do this to find out what types of mold are in the area and how much mold there is.

Mold inspection is a bigger process. It looks for where wetness comes from. This shows how far the problem goes. It also helps decide what to do next.

A good mold check in a Seattle house or condo will often have:

1. History and questions
   The person who checks the home asks about leaks, roof issues, and water in the basement or crawlspace. They want to know about window fogging, bad smells, and any health worries.

2. Looking and checking for wet spots
   They walk around the outside and inside. They look at land slopes, gutters, siding, and roof parts. They also check the attic. Inside the home, they use tools that read moisture and may use heat cameras to find damp walls, ceilings, or floors. They pay extra attention to crawlspaces, basements, and condo walls that can let water in.

3. Special tests
   They only collect air and surface samples if it helps solve a question. For example, it may help find mold hidden inside a wall or check if the air indoors is much different from the air outside.

4. Get a written report and plan
   You should get a written report. It will have photos, moisture numbers, lab answers if samples were tested, and a list showing each step for cleaning up.

The Washington State Department of Health also says that dealing with moisture comes first. For background, see the WA DOH mold page and Snohomish County’s mold and air quality guidance.

Top Rated Mold Testing Companies in Seattle

Here are five good choices in Seattle. They all look at and check things. They do not just try to sell cleaning.

1. FastMoldTesting.com – Seattle

Website: https://fastmoldtesting.com/seattle

Turnaround Time: ✅ Most of the time, you will get results within one business day after the lab gives the test results.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5 (Exceptional)

Fast Mold Testing does just inspections. The Seattle team takes a close look at your space, uses building science, checks where there is moisture, and makes easy-to-understand reports. You can give these reports to any company that cleans up mold. They do not do the cleanups. Their job is just to show you the true problem.

✅ Benefits

• There is no upsell for fixes and no conflict of interest.

• The pricing is clear. Reports have lots of photos and are very easy to read.

• This is a good choice for buyers, tenants, and careful homeowners.

❌ Disadvantages

• You still need another person for cleanup if that is needed.

• This is not good if you want only a fast yes or no answer with no paperwork.

🟢Best for: Homeowners, buyers, and renters who want a mold inspection report that is not biased. This report can be used for bids, claims, or talking through deals.

2. Mold Inspection Sciences - Seattle

Turnaround Time: ✅ You will often get full reports in a few business days. A rush lab option can be available in some cases.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

Mold Inspection Sciences is a company that looks at mold using facts and research. The team at their Seattle office only does mold and moisture checks, looks into CIRS issues, and does checks after clean-up. They do not do any clean-up work themselves. The good thing about their work is that the reports are very detailed, fair, and have steps that any clean-up team can use.

✅ Benefits

• There is no conflict of interest. They do not do any cleanup work.

• They have a lot of experience and follow strong, data-driven plans.

• They are a good pick for health cases that need extra care and for homes that are hard to handle.

❌ Disadvantages

• It is often priced at the higher end of the market.

• You may have to wait longer during busy times.

🟢Best for: People who want a full and lab-tested checkup. It is good for those who need plans for health needs and have homes or places that need extra care.

3. American Mold Inspection ("Mold Men") – Seattle Area

Turnaround Time: ✅ Reports usually come in just a few business days. 

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

American Mold Inspection does mold checks and looks at air quality inside homes and stores. The inspectors are trained to use advanced tools that test for mold. Their Seattle team helps homeowners, people looking to buy, property managers, and people with insurance. 

✅ Benefits

• Certified inspectors who work on indoor air quality.

• They have a strong record with real estate and insurance clients.

• A good choice for total property indoor air checks.

❌ Disadvantages

• May not be as focused on just inspections as some others in this line of work; always make sure to be clear about their role on your project.

• The way they give updates may feel more old-fashioned than some newer digital companies.

🟢Best for: People who own homes or work in real-estate. It helps them get mold inspections and lab results quickly when they need to finish deals or handle claims.

4. Hawk Environmental Services – Seattle

Turnaround Time: ✅ You can usually book an appointment fast. The team often sends out reports in a few business days.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐4/5

Hawk Environmental Services works on testing indoor air and the environment. They check for mold, asbestos, air movement, and overall indoor air quality. They test the air and surfaces if needed. They also share clear steps on what to do next. They work to give fair opinions and they do not try to scare people with sales tactics.

✅ Benefits

• Broad indoor inspection that is not just about mold.

• Careful note taking of data with a strong focus on air flow problems.

• Good for tight or energy-saving Seattle homes.

❌ Disadvantages

• A company that helps with many things might feel like too much if you only have a small, simple problem.

• Sometimes, they may not look as deeply into mold as people who only work with mold.

🟢Best for: People who own newer or hard-to-understand homes and want mold testing that checks the air flow and the air inside.

5. Pacific Northwest Inspections Group – Greater Seattle

Turnaround Time: ✅ This service is set up to help with real‑estate needs. You get quick scheduling and fast reports. 

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pacific Northwest Inspections Group is good at checking homes and air. They test for mold, asbestos, and indoor air quality. They do not sell their own clean-up services. Their team knows how to deal with homes that have more than one problem, like mold, lead paint, and asbestos. This is helpful if you want to buy or fix up a house.

✅ Benefits

• Get many tests about the environment in one go.

• They do not fix issues while checking for them.

• This is good for old Seattle homes and before you start a remodel.

❌ Disadvantages

• As a company that does many things, they might not know as much about mold as those who work only with mold.

• Reports may talk more about the general state and not include very detailed mold steps.

Best for: Buyers, investors, and remodelers who want mold testing along with other checks for the environment at the same time.

What to Look for from Mold Testing Companies in Seattle

Washington does not give licenses to mold inspectors. So, you have to look for other signs to know if they do good work.

Look for:

• Inspectors with strong certifications, like ACAC or other indoor air credentials.

• Companies that have errors-and-omissions and general insurance.

• Clear experience with Seattle problems, such as wet crawlspaces, leaky condos, and moisture in basements.

The Washington Department of Health has a short guide on hiring indoor air contractors. This is a good checklist to use when you want to screen companies.

Avoid Companies that Offer Testing and Remediation in Seattle

In Seattle, there are many companies that do inspections and also clean up mold in the same job. This practice is allowed. But, it can be a problem. The more mold they say they find, the more cleaning services they can sell to people.

If you have a job that is bigger than fixing a small spot in the bathroom, it is better to get someone who only checks the area or does not have any problems with anyone. You can use the list of steps they give you to ask for offers from one or more other contractors who do the cleaning or repairs.

Timeliness and Reporting

Once inspectors test and look for mold, it is key to get a quick, clear report. This is just as important as coming to see the place. In buying or selling homes, rental problems, or HOA issues, an unclear report can cost you money. It can even stop the deal.

Look for companies that:

• Give you a clear timeline for reports.

• Include photos, moisture readings, and plain words to explain things.

• Explain lab results instead of just showing raw numbers.

How Much Does Mold Testing Cost in Seattle?

Research on Seattle providers shows there are some usual price levels:

• Basic spot check: This costs about $300–$450, and it covers a small area. You also get one or two samples.

• Standard mold inspection: This costs about $500–$800. It covers the whole home and looks for water issues. A few samples are included.

• Big or medical cases: This costs $900–$1,500 or more. It is for big homes, health cases or legal cases.

• After-cleanup test: This costs about $350–$600. It is to see if the clean-up worked.

• Extra samples: These are usually $75–$150 each, for every added lab sample.

Costs depend on:

• The size, age, and layout of your house or condo.

• How many samples need to be taken and what kind.

• If the problems show up in one spot or in different rooms.

• If someone needs to travel outside of Seattle's main area or take a ferry.

• How detailed the report has to be for your insurance or for legal reasons.

Home insurance in Washington will often pay for mold damage only if it is caused by a sudden event like a burst pipe. It will not cover mold from leaks that last a long time or from water build-up. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner talks about this on its page about leaks, water damage, and mold.

For people who rent in Washington, the law works more on fixing leaks than on mold testing. The Department of Health offers tips for renters, landlords, and mold, that you can read online. 

Customer Experiences and Testimonials in Choosing Seattle Mold Testing Services

Seattle has a lot of people who do “mold inspections.” Reviews help you know which specialists do the work and which people are just part-timers.

Look at Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Try to find things like:

• They arrive on time and respond fast.

• Clear and calm explanations, not scare tactics.

• Reports are accepted by landlords, HOAs, and insurers.

Conclusion

Seattle has a wet climate, and a lot of older homes. This can make mold a problem in crawlspaces, basements, attics, and some condo walls that leak. Washington state does not give licenses to mold inspectors. So, you have to be careful about who you trust.

An inspection-only or low-conflict mold expert can help you see what is going on and also give you a written plan. You can use this plan with any cleanup company, your landlord, or your insurance. The report helps protect your health and the money you have put in.

If you want something that is focused on giving you a fair report first, Fast Mold Testing Seattle is a good choice. They do not sell you anything you don’t need. This way, you get solid facts and can make a choice without feeling pushed to buy.