My understanding was they weren't specifically a mercury-abatement crew, so they probably had detectors for a broad range of contaminants, but not specialized equipment for particular toxins. At least that's how I read it.

They were initially using a Jerome meter to find the areas that needed cleanup, and then used the more sensitive but more expensive Lumex meter to finish the job.

The first few days were with a less experienced crew (from the same company) but they were pretty clearly wrong to declare the house cleared without being able to measure below 3000 ng/m3.

Exactly what I was thinking, I'd consider myself pretty financially solid but $50k would ruin me. I'm assuming the OP was doing renovations of some kind already and had the cash on hand, or at least the majority of it.

OP could just cut back on their charitable giving.

And, perhaps that's what they did: http://www.jefftk.com/donations

Wow--that really is an extraordinary level of giving, relative to what they have earned. I suppose that's one way to cushion the effect of a financial shock--get used to living on only a fraction of your total income and donate the surplus when available.

My response to a surprise $50k repair to my home would be to call the bank and say "House is yours, man. Keys are in the mail."

* $50k is less than the down payment.

* We didn't know how much it would cost as it went; it was pay-as-you-go.

* That would make it hard to buy a house in the future.

* I don't like the idea of walking away and making it their problem.

> "if you find a mercury spill, don't tell anyone or you'll lose your home"

Welcome to the Massachusetts DEP!

Later he mentions the whole house pressure test, perhaps the crew is using the meter to search for the contaminated areas.