Common questions
FAQ
What areas do you cover?
Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton, and Belvidere in Winnebago and Boone County. If you're just outside those, ask anyway.
How much does radon testing cost?
Testing typically runs $150 to $300, depending on short-term vs. long-term monitoring. Testing price depends on short-term vs. long-term monitoring. Mitigation system cost depends on foundation type and house size. Get a firm number before anything is scheduled.
How long does a test take?
A short-term test runs a few days to about a week. A long-term test runs 90 days or more for a more complete seasonal picture. Which one makes sense depends on your timeline.
Is radon really a problem in this area?
Winnebago County sits in an EPA-designated high-radon zone. An estimated 2 out of 5 homes here test above the action level, regardless of the home's age.
Do I need to be home for testing?
Not necessarily. The test device just needs to be placed in the lowest livable level and left undisturbed for the testing period, which can often be arranged without you present.
What happens if my result is high?
A confirmed result at or above 4.0 pCi/L means a mitigation system is worth pursuing. That's a separate service with its own pricing, quoted after the foundation type is assessed.
Is radon testing required to sell a home in Illinois?
Illinois law doesn't require it, but many buyers, lenders, and agents request one, and a seller must disclose a result they already know about.
Radon testing
Radon Testing in Rockford, IL
How long does a radon test take?
A short-term test runs a few days to about a week, placed in the lowest livable level of the home and left undisturbed for the full period. A long-term test runs 90 days or more for a more complete picture.
Where does the test get placed?
Testing happens in the lowest level of the home someone actually spends time in, typically a basement or ground floor. Unfinished crawl spaces and unused areas are not representative of what occupants breathe.
What happens if the result comes back high?
A confirmed result at or above the EPA's 4.0 pCi/L action level means a mitigation system is worth pursuing. That is a separate service from testing, and coordinating it is part of what happens after a high result.
Does a new home need to be tested too?
New construction is not automatically radon-free. Radon comes from the ground the house sits on, not the age of the building, so a brand-new home in this area carries the same testing case as an older one.
Buying or selling a home
Radon Testing for Home Sales & Purchases in Rockford, IL
Is radon testing required to sell a home in Illinois?
Illinois law does not require it, but many buyers, agents, and lenders request one anyway, and a seller must disclose a result they already know about.
How soon before closing should testing happen?
Scheduling it early in the inspection period leaves the most room to negotiate or arrange mitigation if the result comes back high, without threatening the closing date.
What if the result is high and closing is close?
Buyers and sellers can negotiate a credit or repair addressing mitigation costs, similar to how other inspection findings get handled. The key is knowing the number early enough to have that conversation.
Can a buyer request their own test even if the seller already has one?
Yes, and it is common. A buyer's own test on their own timeline avoids any question about how an earlier test was handled.
New construction
New Construction Radon Testing in Rockford, IL
When should a new home be tested?
Testing after the home is fully enclosed, with doors and windows able to stay closed for the test period, gives an accurate read of the finished structure.
What if the builder already installed a radon rough-in?
A rough-in is a good sign, but it only becomes an active system once a fan is added. Testing tells you whether the passive version alone is keeping levels below the action level.
Need something hauled in Roscoe?
Tell us what needs to go, roughly how much of it there is, and where it sits. You get a fixed number back before anyone starts loading.