Common estimate lines
| Line item | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Containment / poly barrier | Plastic sheeting walls isolating the work area | Where the barriers go; whether the entry has a zipper or airlock |
| Negative air / AFD | Air filtration device with HEPA filter, exhausting outside or into the house | How many units, where they exhaust, for how many days |
| Demo drywall (LF or SF) | Removal of drywall by linear or square feet | Height of the cut; whether it extends beyond visible growth |
| Remove insulation | Taking out wet or contaminated batts or blown insulation | Area and type; whether replacement is included |
| Remove carpet and pad | Taking out flooring in the affected room | Whether all of the room or only part is included |
| HEPA vacuum | Vacuuming surfaces with a HEPA-filtered vacuum | Which surfaces and rooms |
| Damp wipe / clean framing | Cleaning studs and joists after removal | Method used; whether sanding is included |
| Antimicrobial / encapsulant | Product applied after cleaning | Product name and label; that it follows cleaning |
| Dehumidifier / drying | Equipment to dry framing and concrete | Number of days and how dryness is confirmed |
| Debris disposal | Bagging and hauling removed materials | How waste leaves the house |
| PRV / clearance | Post-remediation verification | Who performs it and whether it is independent |
Missing-line check
If an estimate lacks one of these, ask whether it is included elsewhere or left out on purpose.
- Moisture source correction, or a note that it is excluded
- Protection of floors and the path from the door to the work area
- HVAC registers sealed inside containment
- A plan for growth discovered after walls are opened
- Rebuild, or a clear statement that rebuild is separate
- Photos and a written summary at completion
Comparing two estimates fairly
Put both estimates side by side and match lines. If one includes twelve linear feet of drywall removal and the other includes forty, the difference is in the plan, and you need to know which reflects the real extent. Ask each contractor to explain their measurement.
Look at units. LF means linear feet along the wall, usually with a stated height. SF means square feet of surface. Days of equipment time can vary a lot between proposals, and longer is not automatically better; ask how they decide when drying is done.
Vague bundles such as "mold treatment, basement" without quantities make it hard to know what you are buying. A clear estimate lets you hold the work to what was promised in writing.
General information for Highlands Ranch, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.