Eastern Shore, Maryland, is well-known for having hot and humid summers, and an increasing number of homeowners in the area are learning about the impact that excess humidity can have on their homes over time. In addition to making you uncomfortable, excess indoor humidity promotes mold growth, invites musty odors, and even causes damage to your home’s building materials.
If you’re seeing excess humidity inside your home, one of the best places to start improving your home is the crawl space. The crawl space is often the source of indoor moisture issues, and targeting this area first can make your entire home healthier and more comfortable.
But how do you know which contractor will make the right repairs to your crawl space? As the Eastern Shore’s premier authority on crawl spaces, we want to share a few key questions you should be asking when looking for a crawl space repair company.
What Are Your Certifications?
The right crawl space company will understand how to repair crawl spaces using a whole-home approach — and should have the certifications to back that knowledge up.
At Total Home Performance, for example, we hold a number of home performance industry certifications. This includes certifications from the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the National Weatherization Training Center, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), and even the nationally respected Maine Indoor Air Quality Council (MIAQC).
Do You Offer Mold Remediation?
Mold remediation is often an important step in the crawl space encapsulation process, so be sure to hire a crawl space expert who holds this important certification.
Home contractors must hold a special certification in order to remove mold and perform measures that prevent future mold growth. As a Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor CMRS), we are uniquely certified to address mold issues in Eastern Shore area homes.
How Long Have You Been in Business?
As with any home contractor, it’s important to look for a professional who has extensive experience in the industry. At Total Home Performance, for example, we’ve been helping local homeowners address drainage issues and dehumidify their crawl spaces for over 10 years.
How Long Have Your Employees Worked For You?
What is turnover like the company in question? If turnover is low, it is likely that employees are happy — and happy employees do better work.
Our employees stay with us for a long time, and we see that as a testament to how we treat them. Our employees receive extensive training and are given numerous opportunities to grow in their industry knowledge.
What Do Your Customers Have to Say?
Reading online reviews and customer testimonials is one of the best ways you can find out what it’s like to have a particular company work on your home. It is also appropriate to ask a contractor for a list of references you can contact. A reputable home performance contractor will make their testimonials public and connect you with references upon request.