Many people are asked to sign a scope of work within a day or two of a traumatic event, often on a tablet with little time to read. It is reasonable to ask for a copy by email and an hour to review it, or to have a trusted relative read it with you. A good provider expects that and will not pressure you.
Scopes vary in format, but most include the same building blocks: where the work happens, what will be removed, how remaining surfaces will be treated, how waste will be handled, how completion is judged and what is not included. The table below helps you check each section.
Section-by-section check
- Section
- Location and areas
- What it should say
- Specific rooms and approximate areas, including adjacent spaces checked
- Watch for
- Only the property address with no rooms named
- Section
- Containment
- What it should say
- How the area will be sealed and air managed
- Watch for
- No mention at all in a multi-room home
- Section
- Removal
- What it should say
- Materials by type and room, such as carpet and pad in the primary bedroom
- Watch for
- Remove contaminated materials as needed with no detail
- Section
- Cleaning and disinfection
- What it should say
- Surfaces to be cleaned, products used and contact time followed
- Watch for
- General cleaning language with no disinfection step
- Section
- Contents
- What it should say
- How belongings will be sorted, set aside, cleaned or disposed of
- Watch for
- Contents not mentioned
- Section
- Waste handling
- What it should say
- Regulated waste packaging, transport and documentation
- Watch for
- Debris removal lumped together with no medical waste line
- Section
- Verification
- What it should say
- How completion will be checked and documented
- Watch for
- Nothing describing how the job is judged finished
- Section
- Exclusions
- What it should say
- Rebuild, plumbing, electrical, HVAC and anything else not included
- Watch for
- Exclusions so broad that little is left
- Section
- Payment terms
- What it should say
- Deposit, insurer billing and your responsibility
- Watch for
- Terms that differ from what was said on the phone
Vague versus clear wording
| Vague | Clear |
|---|---|
| Clean affected area | Clean and disinfect hard surfaces in hallway bath, following label contact time |
| Remove materials as necessary | Remove carpet, pad and tack strip in bedroom two to a clean margin; inspect subfloor |
| Dispose of waste | Package regulated waste in labeled containers for transport to a treatment facility; provide disposal record |
| Deodorize | Seal cleaned subfloor with odor-blocking primer; recheck odor after several days |
Questions before signing
- If you find more contamination than expected, will you stop and contact me before expanding the work?
- How will changes to the scope be approved and priced?
- What happens to items in the room that are not contaminated?
- Is any work subcontracted, and to whom?
- When can I expect the final documentation package?
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.