I had just moved into an apartment rental in Chicago, and was having some breathing issues after sleeping there for a few nights. I called had the carpet steam cleaned and called People's Gas to have them check for gas leaks. People's gas did find a small leak and they fixed it. After a good cleaning, I was still feeling like there was something in the air--chemicals? dust? mold? I sent out inquiries to a few different companies and Ian at Indoor Science was the first to respond. He asked me some cursory questions so he could be prepared for his visit. I asked him to come as early as possible so I didn't have to take a day off work and he offered to come at 7:30 am. He arrived on time and his entire visit took an hour. He tested for everything--particles, VOCs, and did an infrared moisture test to look at the possibility of mold growth. When he was done, he sat me down and went through each test. I was very happy to find out that my air quality was pretty good, which put my mind at ease. The best part was that he found a methane leak that People's gas missed on their visit! I had it fixed that day, and now have none of the issues I was having initially. It was a steal at $195/hr. Ian has a Professional Engineering license (P.E.) which means he's legit and spent years earning this certification. Also, Indoor Science is an independent firm, so his testing is unbiased. You don't have to worry about them giving you biased results so they can sell you additional services. Ian came equipped with some serious equipment. He gave me good advice on what questions I should be asking my landlord. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services to anyone, but especially to renters who don't have a lot of control over their environments. read more

Smart, professional, and extremely informative. Ian responded immediately to my email enquiry, called me to discuss my situation and made an appointment for the very next day. Using his truly amazing array of tools, he was able to lay all my fears to rest. He used a vinegar puff machine to track the air motion in every vent in our apartment. This allowed us to see which vents are not drawing well and are leaving the air stagnant. He even identified a bad vent that is drawing up stale air from the downstairs neighbors' kitchen, and he recommended a quick and easy solution to fix the problem. Using an extremely sensitive air monitor, he tested the levels of VOCs, humidity, particles less than 1 micron, particles 1 to 2 microns (the size of many mold spores), and larger particles (dust and fragments) in every single room. He also used an infrared camera to search for cold spots in the walls that may be retaining moisture and creating mold hazards. With the readings from his machines, he was able to show us immediately (no waiting for lab reports!) that while our air quality is healthy for normal people, it isn't quite as clean as it needs to be for people with asthma and allergies, which we have. He made concrete recommendations on how to improve the air quality throughout the house. Best of all, he wasn't pushy about doing mold sampling (an added expense). I've dealt with mold inspectors in the past, and Ian was not only much more informative about our overall air quality, but also cheaper. He was extremely informed, and he did a great job of explaining everything to me as he went. I would use his services again in a heartbeat. read more

During the 25+ years we had been living in our house, we occasionally had limited amounts of water in parts of our partially finished basement during heavy rains. We corrected this problem by having a number of foundation cracks sealed with epoxy/urethane in August 2017. Since taking this corrective action, we have had no water in the basement. We first hired Indoor Sciences in November 2017 to perform mold testing in our house and to look for sources of moisture and water that could contribute to mold growth. During 2018, we spent considerable time on cleaning the basement, vacuuming the carpets, and ridding the basement of furniture, old documents, and other items. After completing this effort, we had Indoor Sciences return in November 2018 to perform additional mold testing. In order to help assure we were getting a good representation of the mold spores that were present in the various areas of the house, Indoor Sciences used a small leaf blower to stir up the mold spores. During both times we contracted with Indoor Sciences, we found the staff (Jordan and Scott) to be professional, knowledgeable, and easy to communicate with. Both were quick to respond to our questions. Although no active mold growth was found, both Jordan and Scott made recommendations for addressing issues that could possibly become problems if not addressed. Ian Cull, the President of Indoor Sciences, even replied to a last set of questions I had when Scott was not available. I would definitely recommend Indoor Sciences to other home owners who have concerns about possible mold issues in their homes. read more

I am so grateful to these guys for being such an excellent resource to me in my indoor air quality and mold testing. They were recommended to me by an IAQ expert out of Colorado who I also think served on a national IAQ board for several years at one time. Ian and Scott were both so generous with their time, and I really got the sense that they were completely trustworthy business people with integrity, were not out to take advantage of anybody by, ie, recommending more testing than they really feel was needed. I am a person with a million and one questions - I have to be because of my respiratory health issues - and Ian was so very generous with answering several follow up questions via phone calls and emails and he did not charge me even though I said I would pay! He also loaned me a demo Speck Scan to do some follow up testing of my own once I installed a range hood and got rid of my gas oven. They did find some mold in my home which I've since had remediated and made many other changes to my home environment to make it healthier inside. I was also dealing with the rebuild after damage from some flooding and Ian guided me to a certification body for low VOC materials which gave me confidence I have put in the cleanest possible materials in my home as I could find. I just can't thank them enough and I just want folks to know that it can be hard to choose and trust an IAQ company, but these gentleman are honest and most helpful and I highly recommend them ! read more

Thanks to Ian and Indoor Science I am experiencing a noticeable change in my day to day quality of life. I began noticing a correlation between feeling ill and being in my home near Wrigleyville, because whenever I went away on trips I felt great, but whenever I was home I experienced very noticeable respiratory irritation and chronic sinus problems. Enter Ian Cull and his Ghostbusters-like instruments. In September, 2014 we conducted our first air quality test. It wasn't cheap, but we needed answers. It turns out that our Total Volatile Organic Compounds numbers were very, very high. Five diffferent parts of our house were monitored and the results were 3,500 npl; 2,200 npl; 2100 npl; 2,400 npl; and 11,000 npl. Yikes! Ian recommended a change in our HVAC ventilation, removing any chemicals or paints which were sitting around, sealing the lid of our sump pump, installing a radon mitigation system, and installing an exhaust fan. We completed all of the recommendations and conducted another round of air testing. The results were dramatically better: all falling withing the normal range of ~ 500 npl. We are reassured and breathing easier. As an afterthought, I asked Ian if he smelled gas in the basement. Yet another Ghostbusters-type tool came out, and within 30 seconds ian discovered a not-insignificant natural gas leak in our basement. So our air is clean, and our house hasn't exploded. THANKS IAN!! read more

The perfect solution to any indoor air quality issue. Scott was very professional, courteous and thorough in his evaluation of our rental in Willow Springs IL. We moved into a condo rental that had undergone renovations, specifically painting and spackling, a few months prior to us moving in. After a few days of living there, we noticed a lingering paint/chemical smell. We tried everything to resolve it and after getting sick from the noxious odor, we moved out and ultimately turned to Indoor Science to discover what was making us sick. They discovered very high levels of toluene (aka paint thinner) in the air quality at a condo we were renting. Needless to say, we moved out, sued the landlord and won, yet the owner is still allowed to rent out the unit. Super scary. Although we were never reimbursed in court for the air quality test (the judge claimed it is insufficient evidence, especially since there are no OSHA laws for rentals), it was worth every penny to get out of that unsafe and unhealthy living environment. Moral of the story: Be safe renting out there folks and trust Indoor Science to help you make the right decision. Thank you Scott and indoor science for reassuring us and helping us make the move to get better air quality. read more

I chose Indoor Science because they identify, but do not remediate, mold/radon issues, so I felt I could trust their findings completely. Scott conducted 3 air tests (dining room, basement family room, and the control sample outdoors); took a "tape lift" sample of suspected mold from the attic sheathing; and also took a small piece of attic insulation back to the lab for testing. He also tested for radon. The report arrived exactly one week later, as we were told. Scott kindly and patiently answered all of my questions. I felt I could move forward with the contract to purchase this home, knowing that the indoor air did not reflect elevated mold levels, and no water damage indicating molds were found (I am sensitive to these). Mold was identified in the home's attic sheathing, however, it was isolated to a small area and can be cleaned with detergent and water (as explained on the EPA's webpage, to which Scott had directed me: https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your_home#TipsandTechniques for protocols and procedures I would definitely recommend Indoor Science to anyone who has concerns about mold or radon. Thank you to Scott for his professionalism, knowledge, and time! read more

I had mold remediation done in my condo but was still overwhelmed with a musty smell. Initially I spoke with Ian Cull who spent about 15 minutes on the phone with me making suggestions as to what I could try before doing yet another another inspection. I had already had 2 different industrial hygienists do samples and can say that they are not all created equal. Ian's information was helpful as was he. After trying all the suggestions he had made I called for someone to come and do a professional inspection as I am highly sensitive to the toxins of mold. I spoke with Dylan and I had an appointment with Scott Wieringa within two days. Most hygienists take weeks to make an appointment. Scott came on time, was very professional and personable and took his time doing a very thorough inspection of the premises including air sampling inside walls and using cameras inside the walls. A week later I had the results. Everyone at this company is helpful and is willing to spend the time to help you solve your indoor air quality problems. I highly recommend them. Fortunately, I did not have appreciable mold levels and did not need a remediation plan. Jan P. read more

I saw some signs of mildew in our basement over carpet and pool table cloth, appearing in just a matter of a few days, and wasn't sure if it is a deeper problem with seepage somewhere or just very high humidity. Never had any mold issues earlier in the home, so was kind of shocked ! Spoke to many independent mold inspection companies explaining the situation, and all offered to help through inspection, which could have costed anywhere from $300 to $1000. Finally spoke to Ian from indoorscience.com to get an insepction quote, and so glad that I called him ! He told me over phone that instead of an inspection, we should just remove the carpet, clean any other areas where we saw mold and let the basement dehumidify. Then just wait for a good rain storm, and see if there are any water signs on the bare concrete floor. If not, we can go ahead and install new flooring, continue with dehumidifier and the mildew/mold should not come back ! I was planning to remove the old carpet soon, so this option made sense to me. Planning to give this a try this weekend, will post a review of the findings soon... read more

I have a mold issue in my home that was recently discovered. After looking at reviews, I decided to go with Indoor Science. The experience was professional from start to finish. Ian answered the phone on my first attempt and we scheduled an appointment. Scott called the day before to confirm the appt, and also the day of to let me know he was near. Not only did Scott assess my mold issue and diagnose the cause, but he also walked around my entire house (attic included) and tested with infra-red, moisture meters, etc. He didn't have to do this, but you can tell he cares about helping people. He was very knowledgeable and thorough. He told me he would call the next day with the results of the testing and he kept his word. I like this company because they are scientists only and don't do any removal/restoration. So they have nothing to gain/lose by being honest with you. You get an honest and professional assessment for a reasonable price and then it's up to you to determine how to proceed. I hope I don't need them in the future but if I do, I would feel confident in using them again. read more

The guys at Indoor Science are different from other service providers who typically come to your house. Think nerdy (in a good way!) scientists. Scott showed up when he said he would and stayed for two hours looking around the house and testing various things in a very objective and disciplined manner with all kinds of high tech and low tech tools. I asked lots of questions about the process and he answered them. Then I was emailed a detailed report a week later explaining his findings (complete with research citations to back things up). Fortunately, our house was found to be relatively "clean" as far as mold and other allergens he tested for. Even though we still aren't sure what's causing my wife's respiratory problems, Scott and his team, like good detectives, ruled out certain suspected allergens and that was worth paying for. The fee was reassuringly high but very fair in my opinion and it was refreshing to not be pressured into buying anything afterward! read more

We opened a wall to do some renovations and found, what we thought was, mold. We called ServPro to see if they could come out to check and make sure we could proceed with our work. They recommended Indoor Science. Within a matter of a couple days, Scott, from Indoor Science was here. He explained what he was going to do and how it would impact us. He took the time to answer our questions. He was very through. We felt relieved when he left even though we had to wait for the results. The wait time was exactly what we were told 7 days. The report was very inconclusive. Because of the "scientific" jargon, we called to see if we could speak with Scott for a few more questions. Within the hour, he called and took the time to explain what we were concerned about. We would, definitely, recommend Indoor Science and we would hope that, if we ever had to call them again, we can have Scott do our evaluation. P.S. We have no mold that is harmful!! read more

If you have any concern about mold in your home, then Indoor Science is definitely the company to hire for two main reasons. First and foremost, Ian (the owner), is a scientist and not a 'businessman.' He is someone who got into the mold inspection business because of his vast knowledge and education and not because he just simply found a niche in the Chicago metropolitan area. Second, Indoor Science is for mold inspection only and not for mold removal. In other words, he is honest and unbiased because he does not have any incentive to say your home does have mold to charge you more money. In addition, his reports are incredibly thorough and easy to read for someone who is not in the field. Indoor Science is easy to contact and very professional. It was a painless process for something that can be very stressful. In my situation, I had flooding in my home from the vast rain a couple of weeks ago and I had my home checked for mold. read more

Like other reviewers, I had a very positive experience with Indoor Science. They were responsive and helpful on the phone, and professional, personable and efficient in-person. I was able to get an appointment in the timeframe I needed, and all of the charges and potential additional costs were discussed up front. I was very curious about the mold testing process, and Scott was happy to explain the details of the work as he did the inspection, which took about 2 hours for 2 floors and a basement. The report was expected on a Monday but delivered early on the previous Friday, again exceeding my expectation. It was clear, easy to understand, and thorough, including helpful photos. My questions were answered by Indoor Science, and I am now equipped to safely and strategically address the mold issues in my home. I would highly recommend this excellent local business! read more

My wife's doctor wanted to rule out mold as a possible cause of her frequent migraines. We called Indoor Science and they were able to send out an inspector on the same day. Scott, our inspector, took the time to explain all of the tests he was conducting which included an infrared, indoor and outdoor air sampling, and visual inspection. After Scott collected the samples he stayed with us until all of our questions were answered. Thankfully Scott did not find any active leaks, but he did find something growing in the attic. He took a sample and had it tested at no charge! Our final report indicated that our air quality was good, but the substance growing on the roof sheathing was mold! We are so thankful he took the extra step to check every inch of our home. I can not recommend Indoor Science highly enough! They were wonderful to work with! read more

I had Indoor Science assist me at evaluating 2 townhomes out in the burbs as part of the inspection process. If you have any sensitivities, it pays to know what you are buying, their services can pay for itself many times over. I dodged a bullet on the first townhome (!) it was cute but would have needed too much work to get great air quality. I got Indoor Science's full package both times and frankly it was money well spent. Sure I have my own sniffer to rely on but it does not give me detailed computer read outs of exactly what things are in the air and to what degree. They do not remediate so they have no vested interest on the reports they give you. They were thorough, very knowledgeable, extremely professional and a joy to work with. If I need to buy any other home, I will need Indoor Science again, they are stellar. read more

We had an ongoing odor that was musty and sweet and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. When Jordan arrived, he promptly put on shoe covers and asked what our concerns were. Jordan ran three phases of tests and and verified the origin of the odor was from water damage prior to us purchasing our condo. He confirmed that no moisture was present and proceeded to take a surface sample as well as air samples and a control from outside. A final report was provided a week after the assessment, as promised. The findings then gave us a clear next-step and we contacted a couple of mold remediation companies. There were other observations that Jordan documented that I presented to our property management. The only request would be for the report to be provided in less than a week. Thank you, Indoor Science! read more

We had a great experience with Scott at indoor science when they come out to test the VOC levels in our home! We have two kids under 3 and were concerned about the VOC levels. Scott came out and tested our home and he was extremely knowledgeable about VOCs and air quality. He put our mind at ease. But even if the levels were higher than what we wanted we could have gotten a test to see where the VOCs were coming from. I highly recommend them to anyone that is looking at getting their VOC levels tested, or concerned with mold or formaldehyde as well as other indoor air quality issues. They are very responsive on email as well (had emailed Dylan many times before and he was extremely responsive, as well as Ian the owner) and you really know you are dealing with a reputable company with experts in the field! read more

I had a good experience from start to finish with Indoor Science. My doctor recommended this company for mold testing. When I called to make the appointment they explained how it works and I was asked some questions to pinpoint where the problem might be. When Scott came to my home he was very friendly and professional. He again asked me some questions about my home and where I spent most of my time in my home. He explained what he would be doing and then proceeded to do his work. When he was done he showed me where he thought the mold was located and took pictures of it. I asked him questions and he was very glad to explain. I received the report in less than a week. I would recommend this company to anyone who needs a mold inspection. read more