Surprise extensive mold

[Julie Weiss]

Hi! 

We are first time investors who purchased a property in Sedona Arizona in Dec 2025. What we were told was "limited" mold in the 1.3 M home was actually extensive, widespread mold with some black mold. Yep. Anyway.  We have the remediation protocol from the mold test and will follow it but there are options: A) do exactly what the remediation protocol says. estimated 21k  B) do more than what the protocol says - take out specific walls, for example estimate 35-65k b) do a whole house gut for 80K.   Would a whole house gut be worth it for resale or appraisal? Or worth it to flip the property to a "full renovation story" vs partial for resale? Anyone delt with mold before? We plan to rent it out as an str in the higher price bracket. 

[Bruce Woodruff]

First, I'm curious how the extensive mold was missed by the Home Inspector....? And did the previous owner lie about the condition, making it seem less serious?

Second, mold is a tricky thing....especially black mold, which is really hard to actually 'kill'. For example, bleach/choline does not kill it, it can return. And you're correct in possibly wanting to do a more thorough treatment. A typical remediation may not get deep enough into the drywall to get rid of it. What if the mold has made it's way halfway through the drywall and they treat it with a chemical only to have it return? Does the remediation company have a 100% guarantee policy, meaning will they return for free and re-treat?

I would get another opinion, maybe from a GC, and ask about removing and replacing drywall where it is suspected (or proven) to be serious. It is not that expensive really...

Better safe than sorry in this case....