Expert Written Assessments & Consulting Services for Environmental & Indoor Air Quality Issues

Expert guidance on mold, asbestos, lead, radon, methamphetamine contamination, and more. Choose from written assessments (72 hours), live chat sessions, video consultations, or quick question calls. 40 years of independent expertise, delivered your way.

Request Your Assessment

Or call: (612) 444-3275

When You Need an Expert

You’ve discovered mold, asbestos, lead paint, radon, or other environmental contamination in your home. Or maybe you received an inspection report that has you worried. Now you’re facing:

Contractor bids that seem inflated or inconsistent
Conflicting advice about what actually needs to be done
Uncertainty about whether the work is really necessary
Fear of making a costly mistake

You need someone who can tell you the truth—someone with no financial stake in the remediation work.

Why Dave Gutterud

40 Years of Experience You Can Trust

Unlike contractors who profit from larger jobs or inspectors who might have referral relationships, I provide completely independent expertise. My only goal is giving you accurate information so you can make the right decision.

Credentials that matter:

Licensed Asbestos Inspector/Project Designer (MN, ND, WI)
Licensed Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor (MN)
Director, University of North Dakota Environmental Training Institute
40 years in environmental and facility management
Expert in mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, radon, indoor air quality, and hazardous substance cleanup
I literally train the contractors and inspectors in this industry

What this means for you:

I know what proper remediation looks like. I know what corners get cut. I know when a $30,000 bid should really be $8,000. And I have no incentive to tell you anything except the truth.

Active in the Community

For 40 years, people have turned to me for answers—clients, contractors, colleagues, even regulatory agencies. They know I’ll give them the truth, not a sales pitch.

As a moderator of Reddit’s r/mold and r/asbestoshelp communities, I’ve helped thousands of homeowners understand their contamination issues. My Reddit comment history demonstrates my commitment to education and my depth of knowledge across countless real-world scenarios.

Free Advice vs. Paid Assessment — What’s the Difference?

I regularly answer questions on Reddit’s r/mold and r/asbestoshelp communities. If you have a general question, you might find helpful guidance there or in my comment history.

However, Reddit comments can’t replace a thorough analysis of YOUR specific situation. Here’s what you get with a paid written assessment:

What You Get	Reddit Comments	Paid Assessment
Review of YOUR actual inspection reports and contractor bids	General guidance only	✓ Included
Analysis specific to your property and local regulations	General principles	✓ Included
Line-by-line cost breakdown and fair market pricing	Not available	✓ Included
Written documentation you can use for negotiations	Informal comments	✓ Professional PDF
Professional report you can share with attorneys, insurance, or family	Not suitable	✓ Included
Detailed recommendations tailored to your exact situation	General advice	✓ Included
My professional liability insurance backing my analysis	Not covered	✓ Covered

Think of Reddit as “Is this a concern?” and paid assessments as “Exactly what should I do about MY situation?”

Reddit users: Ask about discounted follow-up assessment rates.

Services & Pricing

Written Assessment Services (Recommended)

Inspection Report Analysis

$250

Delivered within 72 hours

What you get:

Detailed review of your inspection report
Written assessment (3-5 pages) in plain English
Analysis of severity and actual health risks
Clear recommendations on what needs to be done (if anything)
Red flags to watch for when hiring contractors
Cost estimates for proper remediation
Professional PDF document you can share with family, contractors, or attorneys

Covers: Mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, radon, methamphetamine contamination, and other environmental hazards

Optional: 15-minute follow-up call if you have questions after receiving your report (+$50)

Best for: Homebuyers, renters, property owners who received inspection reports, anyone questioning their inspection results

Get Started – $250

Contractor Bid Evaluation

$300

Delivered within 72 hours

What you get:

Line-by-line review of contractor proposals and bids
Written assessment comparing all proposals
Identification of unnecessary work or inflated costs
Verification that proposed methods meet regulations
Guidance on contract terms and warranties to require
Fair market pricing for the actual work needed
Professional document you can reference during negotiations

Covers: Mold remediation, asbestos abatement, lead abatement, radon mitigation, meth remediation, or any environmental cleanup proposal

Optional: 15-minute follow-up call if you have questions after receiving your report (+$50)

Best for: Property owners facing expensive remediation quotes, anyone comparing multiple contractor bids

Get Started – $300

Pre-Purchase Property Assessment

$275

Delivered within 72 hours

Remote review of inspection reports and documentation

What you get:

Review of inspection reports and findings
Assessment of realistic remediation costs based on documentation
Analysis of photos and materials you provide
Negotiation strategies for dealing with sellers
Guidance on whether to proceed with purchase
Red flags that should stop the transaction
What to require from sellers before closing
Written document you can share with your real estate agent and attorney

Covers: Any environmental contamination findings including mold, asbestos, lead, radon, or methamphetamine

Note: This is a remote document review service. On-site property inspections available upon request for properties nationwide.

Optional: 15-minute follow-up call if you have questions after receiving your report (+$50)

Best for: Homebuyers navigating inspection findings during real estate transactions

Get Started – $275

Litigation Support & Expert Analysis

$500-$1,000

Per report

For attorneys handling cases involving environmental contamination.

Services include:

Written expert analysis of inspection reports and remediation documentation
Detailed technical review for case support
Regulatory compliance analysis
Damage assessment and causation analysis
Professional expert report suitable for legal proceedings

Note: Deposition and testimony services available on a case-by-case basis with appropriate preparation time.

Best for: Real estate attorneys, insurance claim disputes, landlord-tenant cases, disclosure violations

Contact for Quote

Expert Witness Services

$350/hour

Plus travel and expenses

Credentialed expert testimony for legal proceedings involving environmental contamination.

Services include:

Expert witness testimony in depositions and trials
Case review and technical consultation
Preparation of expert opinions and affidavits
Review of opposing expert reports
Courtroom testimony on industry standards and practices

Billing: Hourly rate includes preparation time, testimony, and consultation. Travel time billed at half rate. Expenses (travel, lodging, materials) billed separately.

Credentials: Licensed in multiple states, 40 years experience, trains industry professionals, participated in regulatory development

Best for: Attorneys needing credentialed expert testimony, complex litigation requiring industry expertise

Contact for Quote

Remediation Scope of Work Development

$350

Delivered within 72 hours

Professional remediation specifications you can send to contractors for bidding.

What you get:

Detailed scope of work based on your inspection findings
Review of your inspection report and photos
Specific remediation procedures and protocols
Regulatory compliance requirements
Materials and equipment specifications
Post-remediation verification requirements
Professional document contractors can bid from

Covers: Mold, asbestos, lead, or other environmental contamination

Best for: Property owners who want proper specifications before getting bids, ensuring contractors bid on the same scope

Get Started – $350

🛡️ Protected by Professional Liability Insurance: All consulting services are backed by comprehensive professional liability and errors & omissions insurance. Your peace of mind is our priority.

Need Answers Faster? Alternative Formats Available

While our written assessments provide the most thorough analysis and permanent documentation, we also offer real-time consultation for those who need immediate guidance:

Email Question

$75

Written response within 24 hours

What you get:

Ask one specific question via email
Written response within 24 hours
Professional answer based on 40 years experience
Documentation you can save and reference

Best for: Simple yes/no questions, quick guidance on a specific concern, budget-conscious option

Get Started – $75

Live Chat Consultation

$99

15-minute real-time session

What you get:

15-minute real-time text consultation
One specific question addressed
No video call required—communicate entirely by text
Full transcript automatically provided
Scheduled at your convenience

Best for: Need real-time interaction, prefer text over video/phone, want written record, single focused question

Get Started – $99

Video or Live Chat Session

$150

30-minute session

Choose your format:

Video consultation – Face-to-face Zoom meeting with screen sharing
Live chat – Real-time text consultation with full transcript

What you get:

30-minute real-time consultation
Expanded discussion of your situation
Screen sharing to review documents together
Multiple related questions addressed
Full transcript (chat) or written summary (video)

Best for: More complex situations, need back-and-forth discussion, multiple related questions

Get Started – $150

Live Chat Assessment

$200

60-minute real-time session

Extended text consultation for in-depth analysis

What you get:

Full 60-minute real-time text consultation
In-depth discussion of complex situations
Review documents together via screen sharing
No video call required—communicate entirely by text
Full transcript automatically provided
Multiple questions addressed thoroughly

Best for: Complex situations requiring detailed discussion, prefer text over video, want comprehensive written record without waiting 72 hours

Get Started – $200

Video Consultation

$300

60-minute live session

Traditional face-to-face expert consultation

What you get:

Full 60-minute live Zoom meeting
Face-to-face discussion of your situation
Screen sharing to review documents together
In-depth verbal explanation and guidance
Multiple questions addressed comprehensively
Brief written summary provided after call

Best for: Very complex situations, prefer face-to-face interaction, need extensive back-and-forth discussion, want in-depth verbal explanation

Get Started – $300

Comprehensive Assessment + Consultation

$400

Written report in 72 hours + 30-minute video call

Best of both worlds: detailed documentation plus live expert discussion

What you get:

Full written assessment (3-5 page professional report)
Comprehensive analysis of your inspection reports, contractor bids, or situation
Professional PDF document you can share and reference
PLUS 30-minute video consultation to discuss findings
Ask follow-up questions and clarify recommendations
Receive both written documentation and verbal explanation

Best for: Major property decisions, complex situations requiring both documentation and personal discussion, want comprehensive analysis plus expert guidance

Get Started – $400

How to Choose the Right Service

Choose Written Assessment ($250-400) if:You need comprehensive documentation • You have inspection reports or contractor bids to review • You want something you can share with attorneys, contractors, or agents • You can wait 72 hours for thorough analysis

Choose Email Question ($75) if:You have ONE simple question • Don’t need immediate response • Prefer written answer you can reference • Most budget-conscious option

Choose Live Chat Consultation ($99) if:You have ONE specific question • Need real-time interaction • Prefer text over video/phone • Want written transcript • 15 minutes is enough

Choose Video/Chat Session ($150) if:You have multiple related questions • Need more discussion time (30 min) • Want to review documents together • Prefer face-to-face (video) or extended text discussion (chat)

Choose Live Chat Assessment ($200) if:Complex situation requiring 60 minutes • Prefer text over video • Want comprehensive written transcript • Need in-depth analysis in real-time

Choose Video Consultation ($300) if:Very complex situation • Prefer face-to-face discussion • Need extensive back-and-forth conversation • Want in-depth verbal explanation (60 minutes)

Choose Comprehensive Assessment + Consultation ($400) if:You want BOTH written documentation AND live discussion • Major property decision requiring thorough analysis • Need professional report to share plus expert consultation • Most comprehensive service option

Still not sure? Start with an Email Question ($75) and I can recommend the best next step based on your situation.

How It Works

Submit Your Request

Choose your service and complete our detailed online questionnaire. Payment is collected when you submit.

Upload Your Documents

Provide inspection reports, contractor bids, photos, and any other relevant materials through our secure upload system.

Receive Your Expert Analysis

Within 72 hours, you’ll receive a comprehensive written report (PDF) that you can reference, share, and use for negotiations.

Optional Follow-Up

Have questions after reading your report? Schedule a 15-minute clarification call for $50.

What Makes This Different

You get a written document you can actually use.

Most consultations disappear after the phone call ends. You receive a comprehensive written report you can reference repeatedly, share with contractors during negotiations, or provide to your attorney if needed.

I work when you’re sleeping.

No need to coordinate schedules across time zones or take time off work for video calls. Submit your materials anytime, and I’ll deliver your analysis within 72 hours.

The same expertise, more thoroughly.

When I can review materials carefully and craft my analysis in writing, you get more thorough, well-considered guidance than any rushed phone call could provide.

I’m not trying to sell you remediation work.

Most “free consultations” come from contractors who profit when you hire them. My business is giving you objective written analysis—that’s it.

I train the professionals in this industry.

Through the University of North Dakota Environmental Training Institute, I teach contractors, inspectors, and remediation professionals. I know the standards they should meet because I wrote the training.

I’ve been doing this since 1984.

I’ve supervised remediation projects in hospitals, schools, industrial facilities, and thousands of residential properties. I’ve seen every situation and every scam.

I’m licensed in multiple states.

My certifications aren’t just pieces of paper—they represent decades of continuing education and demonstrated expertise.

Common Questions I Answer

“Do I really need professional asbestos abatement, or can I handle this myself?”My report will tell you when DIY is safe and when it’s dangerous or illegal.

“This contractor quoted $25,000. Is that reasonable?”My bid evaluation breaks down every line item and tells you what’s fair market pricing.

“The home inspector found mold. Should I walk away from this house?”My assessment helps you understand the severity, actual remediation costs, and whether it’s a deal-breaker.

“My landlord says the mold isn’t a health hazard. Is that true?”My assessment provides documentation of actual risk levels you can use with your landlord or local health department.

“The home inspector found elevated radon levels. Do I need mitigation?”My assessment explains actual health risks and evaluates whether the proposed mitigation system is appropriate and fairly priced.

“This property tested positive for meth contamination. Is it safe?”My report analyzes the contamination levels, required cleanup scope, and whether contractor bids are reasonable or inflated.

“Should I be worried about lead paint in this 1950s house?”My assessment reviews lead inspection findings and tells you what actually needs to be done versus what’s optional.

“How do I know if a contractor is qualified?”My report tells you exactly what certifications to require and what questions to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my consultation session runs over the scheduled time?Sessions are scheduled for the advertised duration to ensure availability for all clients. I’ll give you a 5-minute warning before our time ends so you can prioritize your most important questions. If we don’t cover everything, you can:

Book a follow-up session
Upgrade to a written assessment for more comprehensive analysis
I can also address remaining questions via brief email follow-up when appropriate

Can I book back-to-back sessions if I need more time?Yes! If you think you’ll need more than 30 or 60 minutes, you can book consecutive time slots. However, for complex situations requiring extensive analysis, a written assessment often provides better value and more comprehensive coverage.

How quickly can I schedule a consultation?Live consultations (phone, chat, or video) are typically available within 24-48 hours. Written assessments are delivered within 72 hours of receiving your materials. For urgent situations, contact me directly at (612) 444-3275 to discuss availability.

What documents should I have ready for my consultation?To get the most from your session, please have ready:

Inspection reports (if applicable)
Contractor bids or proposals (if applicable)
Photos of the affected areas
A list of your top 2-3 questions
Any relevant background information about the property

What’s the difference between live chat and a written assessment?Live chat provides real-time answers and a transcript of our conversation—great for immediate guidance. A written assessment gives you a formal, comprehensive report (3-5 pages) with detailed analysis, specific recommendations, and professional documentation you can share with contractors, attorneys, or use for negotiations. Written assessments are more thorough but take 72 hours; live chat happens in real-time but is more conversational.

Do you offer refunds if I’m not satisfied?I stand behind my work with 40 years of experience and professional liability insurance. If you’re not satisfied with your service, contact me directly to discuss your concerns. My goal is always to provide you with accurate, actionable information you can use.

Can you help me find a qualified contractor in my area?Absolutely. While I don’t recommend specific companies to maintain my complete independence (which is why you can trust my bid reviews), I can help you research and identify qualified contractors in your area. I’ll guide you to state licensing databases, professional associations, and certification registries. I can also help you vet potential contractors by reviewing their credentials, verifying licenses, and checking their qualifications against industry standards. Many of my clients use this guidance to confidently select properly qualified contractors themselves.

What qualifications should I look for in a contractor?I can tell you exactly what certifications and licenses to verify based on your specific situation and location. Requirements vary by state and by type of work (mold vs. asbestos vs. lead), and I know what credentials actually matter versus what’s just marketing. This is part of what I cover in my assessment reports and consultations.

Are you available for on-site inspections?Yes, I provide on-site inspections and project management services nationwide. However, for many situations, a review of existing inspection reports and contractor bids provides the guidance you need without the travel costs of an on-site visit. Contact me to discuss which approach is best for your situation.

What types of environmental contamination do you cover?I provide expert analysis for all types of residential and commercial environmental issues including mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, radon, methamphetamine contamination, indoor air quality concerns, and other hazardous materials. My 40 years of experience covers virtually every environmental contamination scenario you might encounter.

Who I Help

✓ Homebuyers navigating inspection findings
✓ Renters dealing with landlord disputes over mold or asbestos
✓ Property owners facing contractor bids
✓ Parents concerned about lead exposure in older homes
✓ Buyers discovering radon or meth contamination
✓ Tenants needing documentation for health department complaints
✓ Real estate agents needing expert guidance for clients
✓ Attorneys handling contamination disputes
✓ Insurance adjusters requiring independent assessment
✓ Anyone who needs the truth about environmental contamination

Service Area

I don’t just work locally—I train and consult nationwide. My 40 years in this industry have taken me to most states in the nation, giving me firsthand knowledge of regional differences in environmental challenges and regulatory approaches.

Written assessment services: Available for properties anywhere in the US

Training programs: Delivered throughout the country

On-site inspections and project management: I’m based in the Upper Midwest (MN, ND, WI) but travel regularly to other states for projects requiring hands-on expertise.

Whether you’re in Florida, California, or anywhere in between, I can provide expert analysis of your environmental contamination situation.

Ready to Get Expert Guidance?

Stop worrying and start getting real answers from someone who’s been in this industry for 40 years.

Request Your Assessment

Written reports delivered within 72 hours • Live consultations available within 24-48 hours

Or call: (612) 444-3275