Chinese drywall "remediation" offers new niche for scammers

In Florida, convicted scammers and thieves are among workers selling unproven fixes and dubious diagnoses in the completely unregulated Chinese drywall "remediation" and inspection industry, a Palm Beach Post investigation found. A lack of state oversight makes dealing in drywall remedies a free-for-all for even the least qualified entrepreneurs, who are capitalizing on homeowner's fears that bad drywall is sickening families and ruining investments. These workers offer solutions, and can charge tens of thousands of dollars of more for fixes, even though state and federal researchers have yet to determine what causes the drywall to corrode pipes and eat through wiring. The stories also highlight a self-proclaimed drywall expert who holds no contractors license but runs an educational institute out of a Gainesville post office box. He offers to certify workers (while the state does not) and charges about $1,000 a piece to teach people his drywall remediation techniques.