Okay, unless all of you have a ton of money to spend, listen up:
Bleach, vinegar, Home Depot products do not kill mold. They only clean the surface superficially.
I am not going to get into a long discussion, but a few words of caution, unless you ask:
1) Glad you walked away from the house. Too much time had passed to effectively identify where it had spread.
2) When mold became a big issue around 2001, when Farmers lost a big lawsuit in Texas, "everyone and their mother" became a mold expert overnight.
Testing labs would solicit contractors and show them how to take samples. By using these labs, the contractor would get a discount or other stuff for using them.
3) For mold to start growing, you need stagnant water or high moisture content; a food source: framing or paper on drywall; and high temperature and high humidity.
This house was a accident waiting to happen. Too long for mold to see and grow and spread.
4) When working with customers, before any remediation, advice the customer that a hygienist should be called.....I said hygienist or IEP. Now the liability is theirs. The initial testing is about $500 and up; about the same for final clearance; and, yes, you want them to write a protocol to tell you where and how to remove the mold.
Containment and PPE and negative air machines are important to keep the spores from spreading and for the health of workers and customers.
5) The source of loss needs to be determined first, and,then stop the source.
6) After #4-5, dehumidifiers may also be required, but never air blowers. You want to contain the infected area. I have seen spores floating and become dormant. At a future date, they will begin to grow again under the right conditions.
7) Dont' open yourself to a lawsuit.
8) Attorneys love contractors who don't know the proper procedures.
9) Also, check with the customer to see if their insurance covers mold inspections and reports.
10) If they dont', and the customer doesn't want to pay, maybe you should walk away or get a release of liability.
Yet, in the long run, you may lose. Mold remediation is not for everyone.
11) General liability will not cover you or defend you in a lawsuit. You must have Pollution Liability Insurnace.
Okay, that's it for now.
Mark