Quick Answer: A legitimate biohazard cleanup company will be IICRC-certified, carry proper liability insurance and bio-waste disposal licenses, provide a written estimate before starting, and never pressure you to sign immediately. If a company shows up fast, pushes hard, and wants cash — walk away. In the worst moment of your life, predatory operators are counting on your shock. This guide helps you find the real ones.
In this industry, I’ve seen legitimate companies do life-changing work for families. I’ve also seen predatory operators charge $40,000 for a job that should have cost $6,000 — targeting grieving people who didn’t know what questions to ask.
The difference between those two outcomes is information. Here’s what you need.
Why This Industry Attracts Bad Actors
Biohazard cleanup is a high-ticket, emotionally charged, and largely unregulated industry in many states. A family in crisis will often say yes to the first company that answers the phone. There’s no time to comparison shop. The emotional weight is enormous. And the technical nature of the work means most people can’t assess quality.
This combination — high prices, distressed buyers, low competition for each job — is exactly what predatory businesses look for.
The good news: legitimate operators exist in every major market, and once you know what to look for, they’re easy to identify.
The Non-Negotiable Credentials
Before you let any company into the property, verify these:
1. IICRC Certification The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) sets industry standards for biohazard and trauma cleanup. Look for IICRC-certified technicians or a certified firm. You can verify certification at iicrc.org.
2. State Licensing Many states require biohazard remediation companies to hold specific licenses. Requirements vary — some states require bio-waste transporter licenses, others require contractor licenses, some require both. Ask for their license number and verify it with your state’s licensing board.
3. Bio-Waste Disposal Documentation Biological waste has to be disposed of according to EPA and state regulations — it can’t just go in the trash. A legitimate company will have documentation of their bio-waste disposal process and contracted hauler.
4. General Liability + Workers Comp Insurance Ask for a certificate of insurance. It should show general liability coverage (minimum $1 million) and workers’ compensation. If a worker gets injured in your home and the company doesn’t have workers’ comp, you could be liable.
5. OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Training Technicians working with biological material must be trained under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Ask if their techs have completed this training.
The Red Flags: Walk Away From These
Immediate response pressure “We need to start tonight or the damage gets worse.” Biological contamination should be addressed quickly — but not so quickly that you can’t verify credentials or get a written estimate. Legitimate companies understand this.
No written estimate This is non-negotiable. Any company that wants to start work without giving you a written, itemized estimate is setting up to overcharge you. Get it in writing. Every line item. Before anyone puts on PPE.
Cash only Legitimate businesses take checks, cards, and work directly with insurance carriers. Cash-only is a significant red flag.
Unmarked vehicles, no uniforms Professional companies show up in marked vehicles with uniformed technicians who carry company ID. If someone shows up in their personal truck with no visible branding, ask hard questions.
Out-of-area companies with no local presence Some predatory operators chase disasters across state lines, picking up jobs in areas where they have no reputation to protect. Look for companies with a genuine local presence — local phone number, local reviews, local address.
Extremely low OR extremely high first estimates Both are red flags. Lowballing to win the job and then escalating charges midway through (“we found more damage”) is a common tactic. So is immediately quoting numbers far above market rate, betting on your shock.
Reluctance to work with insurance Legitimate companies work with insurance carriers regularly. If a company seems hesitant to deal with your insurer, ask why.
How to Verify a Company Before You Hire
Step 1: Check their reviews — but critically. Look at Google, Yelp, and the BBB. Pay attention to responses to negative reviews — how a company handles complaints tells you more than the star rating. Be aware that fake reviews exist in this industry.
Step 2: Verify credentials directly.
- IICRC: Check iicrc.org
- State licensing: Search your state’s contractor licensing database
- BBB: Check for complaints at bbb.org
- Insurance: Ask for a certificate of insurance emailed to you directly
Step 3: Call your insurance company first. Your insurer may have a list of approved vendors they’ve already vetted — or they can advise on what credentials to require. If the company checks out with your insurer, that’s meaningful validation.
Step 4: Ask for references from similar jobs. A legitimate company will have done similar work before and can provide references. Call them.
Step 5: Get two or three estimates. Even in a crisis, if time permits, get more than one estimate. This gives you a reference point for fair pricing and immediately identifies outliers.
Fair Pricing: What This Work Actually Costs
Costs vary significantly by region, job size, and complexity. Here are realistic ranges:
| Job Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Unattended death (discovered quickly) | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Unattended death (extended) | $4,000 – $15,000+ |
| Trauma/crime scene | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Suicide scene | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Hoarding cleanup | $2,000 – $20,000+ |
| Meth lab decontamination | $5,000 – $30,000+ |
| Large-scale decomposition | $10,000 – $50,000+ |
If you’re quoted dramatically above or below these ranges, ask for a detailed breakdown. Above-range quotes need justification. Below-range quotes need scrutiny — lowballing to win is a common tactic before mid-job price escalation.
Using Our Verified Directory
Every company in our directory has been reviewed against the credential checklist above. We verify:
- IICRC certification status
- State licensing (by state)
- Insurance certificates
- Business history and reviews
- Direct conversations with company principals
We update listings annually and remove companies that receive multiple verified complaints.
This doesn’t make every directory company perfect — no vetting process is. But it removes the most significant risks and gives you a starting point you can trust.
Find a verified biohazard cleanup company near you →
If You’ve Already Hired a Company and Something Feels Wrong
Mid-job disputes happen. If you feel a company is escalating prices unfairly or doing work you didn’t authorize:
- Stop work immediately and request a written accounting of what’s been done and what remains
- Document everything — photos, written communications, any verbal agreements
- Call your insurance company — they can intervene in disputes with vendors
- Contact your state contractor licensing board to file a complaint
- Consult an attorney if the amount in dispute is significant
You have more leverage than you think. Legitimate contractors know that licensing board complaints and chargebacks are real consequences.
This guide is for informational purposes. Credentials and licensing requirements vary by state. Always verify independently.