The Short Answer
Start with the summary of findings, then review the moisture readings and photos that support them. Lab results, if sampling was done, add context rather than a verdict. The recommendations section tells you what, if anything, should happen next.
Summary of findings
This is the plain-language overview: what was inspected, what was found, and whether conditions suggest active mold growth or elevated moisture. If you read only one section, read this one.
Moisture readings
Readings show which materials were tested and whether they were elevated compared with dry reference areas in the same home. Elevated readings tell you where moisture is present now, which is often more important than whether mold is already visible.
Photographs and thermal images
Photos document visible conditions. Thermal images show temperature differences that can indicate hidden moisture behind walls or ceilings. Together they show you what the assessor saw, so you do not have to take anything on faith.
Laboratory results
When air sampling is performed, indoor results are compared with an outdoor control sample taken at the same time. Results describe conditions at the time and place of collection. They are useful context, read alongside physical findings, not a stand-alone diagnosis.
Recommendations
This section outlines practical next steps: correct the moisture source, dry specific materials, remediate a defined area, or simply monitor. When remediation is recommended, this becomes the scope you can share with contractors to get comparable quotes.
Questions worth asking
- What is the moisture source, and has it been corrected?
- Which areas need action, and which are fine?
- Would post-remediation verification be worthwhile here?