Before you hire a mold company in Pennsylvania, ask for its home improvement contractor registration number and check it with the Attorney General at 1-888-520-6680. Then get a written contract that lists the price, dates, the work and your cancellation rights.
Who has to register in Pennsylvania?
Anyone who owns or runs a home improvement business, or offers or performs home improvements in Pennsylvania, must register with the Office of Attorney General. Contractors doing less than $5,000 of work in a calendar year are exempt, as are some large retailers.
What should the contract include?
| Required item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Written and signed | Signed by you and the contractor, and legible. |
| Total price | The full price of the project. |
| Dates | Estimated start and completion dates. |
| Description | What work will be done, such as containment, removal and rebuild. |
| Cancellation notice | Notice of your right to cancel. The law gives a 3-day cancellation notice. |
| Registration number | “PA” plus the contractor’s number, and the Bureau’s toll-free number 1-888-520-6680. |
If the contract leaves out the cancellation notice, the Attorney General says the contract may be voidable even after three days pass.
How much should I pay up front?
The law limits down payments on projects over $5,000. The Attorney General says a down payment of about one-third of the total price, or one-third plus the cost of special-order materials, is generally appropriate.
What mold-specific questions should I ask?
- Which certifications does your crew hold, such as IICRC AMRT or ACAC?
- How will you contain the area and filter the air?
- What is causing the moisture, and who fixes it?
- Will the scope separate removal, testing and rebuild?
- How will you confirm the job is done, and will you do clearance testing?
- Is the inspection independent from the company doing the removal?
- Can you send a certificate of insurance and written warranty terms?
Red flags to watch for
- No “PA” registration number on the estimate or contract.
- A quote given without looking at the moisture source.
- Pressure to sign the same day.
- Large cash deposits.
- Claims that mold testing is always required before removal. The EPA says sampling is unnecessary in most cases where mold is visible.
Does registration mean the contractor is approved?
No. The Attorney General’s suggested contract language says registration does not imply endorsement. It is a mandatory registration, not a quality rating.
How getting help works
SEPA Mold Removal is a free referral service, not a mold company. You describe the problem in the form, and independent local mold companies contact you to set up an inspection or a quote.
Questions to ask the company that comes out
- What is your Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration number?
- Which mold certifications does your crew hold, such as IICRC AMRT or ACAC?
- Will I get a written scope covering containment, HEPA filtration and how the moisture source gets fixed?
- Is the inspection or testing done by an independent assessor, separate from the company doing the removal?
- How will you confirm the job is finished? Ask about post-remediation verification or clearance testing.
- Can you send a certificate of insurance and your warranty terms in writing?
Questions about hiring a mold company
Call the Pennsylvania Attorney General at 1-888-520-6680.
Yes. Home improvement contracts must include a notice of your right to cancel, and the law gives a 3-day cancellation notice.
Yes, within limits for projects over $5,000. About one-third is generally appropriate, according to the Attorney General.
No. Registration does not imply endorsement.
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Sources
- Pennsylvania Attorney General: Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act
- Pennsylvania Attorney General: Contractor FAQ
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
Last reviewed: October 2026