Building biology consulting: define the need and useful investigations
Building biology advice can support material decisions and assessment of indoor conditions. New-build design, particular smells and interpretation of existing measurements are different tasks. A clear commission defines its purpose, information and limitations.
Preventive design or an existing room concern?
For design, materials, use, indoor conditions and resource-conscious construction may be priorities. In existing rooms, smells, damp or an unusual measurement result are a different starting point.
Identify the decision ahead. An initial conversation, visit, investigation plan and building-project support produce different results. Not every concern needs an immediate large measurement campaign.
| Requirement | Possible advisory scope |
|---|---|
| Materials | Clarify requirements and useful product information. |
| Smells / indoor air | Organise observations and targeted investigation. |
| Damp | Examine building and use-related connections. |
| Physical influences | Define the question and appropriate professional assessment. |
| Existing findings | Interpret conditions, scope and next steps. |
| Project support | Agree decisions, dates and professional responsibilities. |
Understand the building and its use
Describe affected rooms, materials and known changes. Timing, use and connections with renovation, new furniture or changed operating conditions help prepare the advice.
Information may include drawings, product data and earlier investigation reports. Missing dates or material details can be clarified together. The enquiry requires neither personal sampling nor private medical information.
General advice is not a complete building pollutant survey before works. Define appropriate specialist scope separately when materials need examination or intervention. Do not open or damage suspect materials for the enquiry.
Material properties instead of blanket promises
Natural, ecological and low-emission do not mean the same thing. Natural materials can also release substances into indoor air. Discuss product information, installation and proposed coatings or adhesives.
Materials must suit construction and use. Application, substrate moisture and time before occupation can also matter. One material does not determine the entire indoor environment.
A material adviser should explain criteria and trade-offs. Retention, repairability and later separation may be relevant. A recommendation guarantees neither individual freedom from allergies nor a permanently pollutant-free environment.
Commission investigations that answer a question
Air, materials, dust, moisture and physical influences need different methods. Have the professional explain why an investigation is useful, its coverage and how results are assessed.
One indoor-air sample describes particular conditions and times. It does not automatically cover every substance, source or future use. Nor is there one universal Swiss limit for every indoor influence.
Cause investigation matters for damp or mould. A general measurement campaign proves neither concealed mould nor individual health risks. Observation and other professional methods must suit the specific question.
Interpret results, limitations and responsibilities
An understandable report describes observations, methods, conditions and open points. Measured values and recommendations should be distinguishable. Ask which assessment basis is used and why it fits the case.
An electromagnetic-field value must not automatically be treated as a medical cause or proof of recovery. Building advice does not replace medical assessment. Health questions and technical observations need their appropriate responsibilities.
Not every adviser designs buildings or performs remediation. Agree responsibility for additional investigation, material testing and implementation. Follow-up checks and ongoing support are included only if commissioned.
Compare advice, laboratory work and support separately
Costs depend on the need, information, appointments and deliverable. An orientation conversation differs from a visit, sampling, laboratory analysis and detailed interpretation.
Compare individual services and potential third-party charges. Additional samples, specialists and appointments should be explained and approved before commissioning. An association’s short member-only free consultation is not a general price for your project.
Clarify travel, expenses, VAT and reporting scope. Investigating different substances and supporting a construction project cannot establish a comparable Swiss average. Repairs or remediation are not implicitly included in the advisory fee.
| Cost item | Clarify in the quote |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Information and questions to answer. |
| Advice / visit | Duration, location and examined areas. |
| Investigation | Methods, samples and laboratory work. |
| Interpretation | Assessment basis, report and discussion. |
| Support | Project stages, extra appointments and responsibilities. |
| Total | Third parties, travel, expenses and VAT. |
Prepare a factual enquiry
Known observations and objectives are more useful than a diagnosis assumed in advance.
- Purpose. Identify a design decision, existing room concern or findings review.
- Areas. Describe rooms, materials and relevant use.
- Development. Explain known changes and when concerns arose.
- Information. Identify drawings, product data and reports available.
- Result. Define advice, documented recommendations or project support.
Move from observations to a reasoned decision
A staged approach keeps advice, investigations and possible implementation distinct.
- Describe the need. Summarise goals, areas and known observations.
- Define the commission. Agree advice, visit, investigation and result.
- Compare quotes. Compare matching tasks and explicit additional costs.
- Investigate. Assess information and any appropriate examinations.
- Clarify next steps. Discuss recommendations, open questions and separate implementation.
Frequently asked questions
Must building biology advice always include measurements?
No. Material or design advice and interpretation of existing information can be useful without new measurements. Additional investigations should answer a specific question and be expressly agreed.
Are natural materials automatically emission-free?
No. Product, application and installation matter. Have relevant emissions and properties explained without treating natural as a blanket compatibility guarantee.
Does an air measurement prove no pollutants are present?
Not comprehensively. Method, substances examined, conditions and timing limit the conclusion. One result does not automatically represent all rooms, materials or future use.
Can consulting diagnose medical complaints?
A building investigation does not replace medical diagnosis. Observations and measurements need appropriate interpretation; the commission alone cannot promise a particular cause or health outcome.
What does building biology consulting cost?
Compare preparation, advice, visits, investigations and interpretation. Clarify laboratories, specialists, extra appointments, travel and VAT. Different analyses and project support do not have a uniform average price.
Does the same provider implement the recommendations?
That depends on their actual offering. Material advice, design, investigation and remediation are different tasks. Agree responsibilities and any other specialists before implementation.
