The SWFL housing market still has thousands of homes with unresolved Hurricane Ian damage and chronic humidity issues. If you're buying here in 2026, a mold inspection is not optional — it's the single most important due-diligence item after the standard home inspection.
What the standard home inspection misses
Home inspectors look at visible structure. They don't pull air samples. They don't open wall cavities. They don't test HVAC ductwork. Mold lives in all three places.
The checklist we'd run
- Independent air sample (indoor + outdoor baseline) in every room - $400-500
- Cavity sample at any visually suspect area (window, baseboard, under sink) - $100/sample
- HVAC supply air sample - $100
- Attic visual + sample if any sign of prior moisture - $150
- Verify all post-Ian restoration work was permitted (county records search)
What 'passes' looks like
Indoor mold spore count should be less than the outdoor baseline. No toxigenic species (Stachybotrys, Chaetomium) in any sample. No visible mold in any cavity sample. No prior unpermitted reconstruction.
What 'failing' should do to the deal
If samples show problems, you have leverage. Either the seller remediates before closing (typical cost $2k-15k), the seller credits you for remediation (cleaner for both parties), or you walk. Don't close without one of these three.