INDOOR AIR QUALITY TESTING
Know what's in the air you breathe at home.
Indoor air quality testing for homes in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia. We measure particulates, formaldehyde and VOCs, send air samples to a lab and give you a clear plan to fix what we find.
Schedule IAQ TestingCall 240.900.3208
CMI® Certified Master Inspector | IAC2 Certified Mold & Radon | Lab results in 2–3 business days | 43 particle types identified
WHY TEST
Your home's air can be worse than the air outside
DMV homes go from humid summers to sealed-up winters. Moisture, dust, chemical fumes and allergens build up indoors, and most of them can't be seen or smelled.
Testing is worth it if anyone at home has allergies or asthma, you have an infant or older adult in the house, you've recently renovated or brought in new furniture or flooring, or you've had leaks or water damage.
Common signs of poor indoor air
- Sneezing & coughing
- Eye, nose or throat irritation
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Poor sleep
- Symptoms that ease when you leave home
WHAT WE MEASURE
On-site readings plus lab analysis
PARTICULATES
PM2.5 & PM10
Fine and coarse particles from smoke, combustion and dust that reach deep into the lungs.
CHEMICAL
Formaldehyde
A gas released by adhesives, pressed-wood cabinets, carpet, insulation and fabrics.
CHEMICAL
TVOCs
Volatile compounds from paint, cleaners, fragrances, furniture and cooking.
OVERALL
AQI, temp & humidity
An overall air quality score plus the temperature and humidity that drive mold growth.
Lab particle identification
Air samples are analyzed for mold and 43 particle types, including dust mites, pollen, pet hair, fibers and soot.
HVAC filter & duct check
We inspect accessible filters and ducts, where dust and debris get recirculated through the house.
Pollutant & venting check
A visual check for stored chemicals and allergen sources, plus the venting on heaters, stoves and dryers.
All 43 particle types our lab identifies
Each air sample is analyzed for mold plus these particles, so you know exactly what's floating in your air.
ALLERGENS & SKIN
5
- Dust Mites
- Skin Cells
- Feather Barbules
- Hair – Animal
- Hair – Human
POLLEN
9
- Birch
- Grass
- Hickories
- Oak
- Pine
- Sunflowers
- Walnut
- Witch Hazel
- Undifferentiated
FIBERS
4
- Fiberglass
- Cellulose
- Cotton
- Synthetic
COMBUSTION & SOOT
6
- Soot
- Fire-Related Soot
- Charred Plant Debris
- Charred Woody Fragments
- Tire Rubber
- Oil Droplets
BUILDING MATERIALS & MINERALS
11
- Gypsum Board Debris
- Silica
- Efflorescence
- Minerals
- Glass
- Salt Crystals
- Diatoms
- Metal – Aluminum
- Metal – Iron
- Wood – Hardwood Fragments
- Wood – Softwood Fragments
PLANT & ORGANIC DEBRIS
5
- Amorphous Organic Debris
- Low-Contrast Amorphous
- Plant Fragments
- Plant Pigments
- Starch Grains
HOUSEHOLD
3
- Angular Pigments
- Newspaper Ink
- Inkjet Droplets
PACKAGES & FEES
Choose your air quality package
Every package includes on-site readings, HVAC filter and duct inspection, lab air samples with an outdoor control, and a written report with recommendations based on EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home.
Bundle with your home inspection and save $50.
AIR QUALITY ONLY
Indoor Air Quality Testing
With a home inspection: $549
Stand-alone: $599
Air quality readings and lab samples, without a mold inspection.
- PM2.5, PM10, formaldehyde, TVOC, AQI, temp & humidity
- Up to 3 IAQ/mold air samples (one per floor)
- 1 outdoor control sample
- HVAC filter & duct inspection
- Written report with lab results
IAQ + ONE AREA, UP TO 750 SQ FT
IAQ + Limited Mold Inspection
With a home inspection: $649
Stand-alone: $699
Adds a mold inspection of one focused area. Crawlspaces not included.
- Everything in IAQ Testing
- Thermal imaging & moisture meters in the target area
- 1 surface sample if growth is visible
- Mold Safe Warranty
- Remediation guidance per IAC2 standard
Most thorough · IAQ + WHOLE HOME, UP TO 3,000 SQ FT
IAQ + Complete Mold Inspection
With a home inspection: $849
Stand-alone: $899
Adds a mold inspection of all finished areas, inside and out.
- Everything in IAQ Testing
- Up to 4 air samples (incl. attic if applicable)
- Exterior check for moisture-entry defects
- 1 surface sample + Mold Safe Warranty
- Remediation guidance per IAC2 standard
Only need mold samples from one spot? See Mold Testing & Inspections.
AIR QUALITY BUNDLES · SAVE UP TO $274
Test everything in one visit
Mold, airborne pollutants and radon affect homes of every age. Homes built before 1978 can also hide lead dust and asbestos. Pick the bundle that fits your home.
START HERE
Essential Air
Allergy or asthma concerns, no known moisture problems.
With a home inspection: $699
Separately $749 · Save $50
Stand-alone: $799
Separately $874 · Save $75
- Indoor Air Quality Testing
- Radon Testing
- Complete Mold Inspection
- Asbestos Sampling
- Lead Dust Sampling
Most popular · EVERY HOME
Complete Air
Most buyers and homeowners. Covers mold, air quality and radon.
With a home inspection: $949
Separately $1,049 · Save $100
Stand-alone: $999
Separately $1,174 · Save $175
- Indoor Air Quality Testing
- Radon Testing
- Complete Mold Inspection
- Asbestos Sampling
- Lead Dust Sampling
BUILT BEFORE 1978 OR RENOVATING
Older Home Air
Everything in Complete Air, plus asbestos and lead dust.
3 samples (recommended)
With a home inspection: $1,499
Separately $1,748 · Save $249
Stand-alone: $1,599
Separately $1,873 · Save $274
1 asbestos sample
With a home inspection: $1,299
Separately $1,524 · Save $225
Stand-alone: $1,399
Separately $1,649 · Save $250
- Indoor Air Quality Testing
- Radon Testing
- Complete Mold Inspection
- Asbestos Sampling (3 samples, or 1 sample)
- Lead Dust Sampling (10 samples)
What each service covers
Indoor Air Quality Testing
PM2.5, PM10, formaldehyde, VOCs, AQI and humidity readings, HVAC filter and duct check, and lab ID of mold and 43 particle types.
Complete Mold Inspection
All finished areas up to 3,000 sq ft, thermal imaging, exterior moisture check, up to 4 air samples plus a surface sample, and the Mold Safe Warranty.
Radon Testing
Continuous radon monitoring compared to EPA's 4.0 pCi/L action level, with our 90-day radon warranty.
Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
It can't be seen, smelled or touched. Only testing can identify it.
Asbestos Sampling
Lab samples of suspect materials such as popcorn ceilings, floor tile, pipe and duct insulation, and textured walls. Performed under our Maryland asbestos license.
- 1 sample: $175
- 3 samples (recommended): $399
Lead Dust Sampling
10 lead dust wipe samples, including a control, taken as a representative set from window sills, window wells and floors across the standard rooms. The basement counts as one room. Starts at $300 on its own.
Stand-alone means no home inspection on the same order. Older homes have more suspect materials, which is why 3 asbestos samples is our recommendation.
HOW IT WORKS
What happens during your test
1
Walkthrough
We look for water stains, mold, poor air circulation, stored chemicals and venting problems.
2
On-site readings
Our detector measures particulates, formaldehyde, VOCs, AQI, temperature and humidity.
3
Samples & HVAC
We collect indoor and outdoor air samples for the lab and inspect accessible HVAC filters and ducts.
4
Your report
In 2–3 business days you get lab results and specific recommendations, from filtration to ventilation to HVAC service.
AFTER YOUR REPORT
Common fixes we recommend
Better filtration
HEPA air purifiers and higher-rated HVAC filters to capture fine particles and allergens.
More ventilation
Working bath and kitchen exhaust fans and more fresh air to dilute VOCs and formaldehyde.
Humidity control
Dehumidifiers and moisture fixes to keep indoor humidity in check and stop mold growth.
Lower-emission products
Low-VOC paints, finishes and cleaners to cut chemical pollutants at the source.
GOOD TO KNOW
Additional fees & scheduling notes
- Extra samples: $45 each.
- Larger homes: about $100 per additional 1,000 sq ft over 3,000 sq ft (IAQ Testing and IAQ + Complete), or per additional 750 sq ft over 750 sq ft (IAQ + Limited). We'll ask before adding anything.
- Attics & garages: may carry an additional charge, with your permission.
- Turnaround: 2–3 business days. Rush service isn't available because lab timing sets the pace.
Services offered by DS Home Inspection Services, LLC:Home Inspections | Pre-Listing Home Inspections | Termite Inspection | Radon Testing | Indoor Air Quality Inspection | Mold Inspection | Baltimore City Rental Property Inspection | Baltimore County Rental Property Inspection | New Construction 11 Month Home Warranty Inspection | New Construction Residential Inspection | Investor's Inspection | Lead Inspection | Enhanced Well Inspection | Talk & Walk-Through Consultation | THERMAL IMAGING | Contractor Oversight Home Inspection | Solar Home | Pool/Spa Inspections | Foundation Elevation Inspection | 2D/3D Floor Scan | Locksmith services | Move-In Ready