Our guide on choosing a biohazard cleanup company covers vetting a company in general. This guide goes further into the job itself: the specific questions that help you understand how your project will be done, what you'll get at the end, and how problems will be handled. Use the questions that fit your situation; not every job needs all of them.
Before the work: assessment
How will you assess the job? A walkthrough, photos and moisture readings, or testing such as preliminary meth sampling. The method should fit the hazard.
What did the assessment find? Ask for a plain-language summary of affected areas and materials.
What don't you know yet? Good contractors are honest that some contamination, such as fluids under flooring or inside walls, only appears during demolition.
The scope
What exactly will you do, room by room? The scope should list affected areas and tasks.
Which materials will be removed, and why? You should understand the reasoning, such as porous materials saturated with fluids or sewage, or drywall above the water line.
Which materials will be cleaned and kept? Hard, non-porous materials and structure can often be cleaned and disinfected.
What products will you use? Ask for disinfectant names and whether they're registered for the intended use. Safety data sheets should be available.
What's excluded? Repairs, contents, plumbing, HVAC replacement and testing are common exclusions. Get them in writing.
Containment and protecting the rest of the property
How will you keep contamination from spreading? Plastic barriers, negative air machines, covered pathways and controlled entry are common tools.
Will the HVAC system be shut down or protected?
How will you protect finished areas, floors and belongings outside the work area?
Worker safety
What protective equipment will crews wear? For bloodborne hazards, gloves, eye protection and protective clothing at minimum. Some jobs need respirators, which require a respiratory protection program.
Are crews trained for this hazard?
Who is the supervisor on site?
Contents and belongings
What will happen to belongings in the affected area? Ask how items will be sorted, what will be cleaned, what will be discarded, and who decides.
Will you set aside personal items like photographs, documents and valuables?
Will you inventory discarded items for insurance?
Drying, odor and other systems
If water was involved, how will you dry the structure and measure progress?
How will you address odor? Removal of sources first, then cleaning, sealing and deodorization equipment where needed.
Will ductwork be inspected or cleaned?
Waste
How will biohazardous waste be packaged and disposed of?
Will I receive disposal records?
Verification
How will you show the job is complete? Visual inspection, odor checks, ATP readings, moisture readings or independent clearance testing, depending on the hazard.
Who performs verification? Independent testing carries more weight for high-stakes jobs.
What happens if verification fails? Ask whether additional cleaning and retesting are included.
Schedule and access
When can you start, and how long will it take?
Will the property be usable during the work?
Who needs to provide access, and when?
Money and paperwork
Is the price fixed or time-and-materials?
How are changes handled? Written change orders with photos are the norm.
Do you bill insurance directly? Read any authorization before signing.
What do I owe, and when?
Closeout
What documents will I receive? A closeout package might include the scope, photos, waste records, verification results and an itemized invoice.
Is there a walkthrough at the end?
Who do I call if a problem appears later?
Why these questions matter
Questions like these set expectations on both sides. They reduce disputes, help insurers process claims, and make sure the job ends with a property that is actually safe to use, not just one that looks clean.
A practical example
A property manager hiring for a sewage cleanup asks about containment, materials removal and drying. The contractor explains it will remove drywall two feet above the water line, set up containment and negative air, and monitor drying daily. The manager asks for daily moisture logs and a final report for the owner. Clear answers make it easy to approve the job.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to ask this many questions?
No. Professional contractors expect them and usually answer readily.
What if the contractor won't answer?
That's a red flag; consider another company.
Do I need everything in writing?
The scope, exclusions, change process and payment terms should be in writing.
Can the scope change after work starts?
Yes, if hidden contamination is found; changes should be documented with photos.
Should I ask for references?
For larger jobs, references from similar projects are reasonable to request.
Who should be my point of contact?
Ask for one named person who will answer questions throughout the job.
Can I ask for daily updates?
Yes. Many contractors send a short daily note or photos, which is especially helpful when you can't be on site.
Key takeaways
Ask about assessment, scope, removal decisions, containment, worker safety, belongings, drying and odor, waste, verification, schedule, money and closeout. Get key answers in writing, and expect professional contractors to welcome the questions.
Sources
- OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.1030, Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- OSHA: 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection
- IICRC: ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration
- EPA: Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus (List G)
This guide is general information. It is not legal, medical, environmental or safety advice. Rules vary by state and locality. For a specific situation, consult the relevant agency or a qualified professional.