Healthy Building Science

San Francisco, United States

4.6

Open now

19 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

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Telephone:
+1 415-785-7986
Website:
www.healthybuildingscience.com
Address:
601 Van Ness Ave Ste 305, San Francisco, CA, 94102
Civic Center, Fillmore, Western Addition
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Accepts Credit Cards
Yes

Today

Today 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Open now
Local time (San Francisco) 14:45 Friday, 30 May 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Healthy Building Science provides environmental testing services, healthy home inspections, green building design and construction consulting. Our holistic environmental testing services include sampling and laboratory analysis of air quality, mold, allergens, lead, air water, soil and electromagnectic fields (EMF). We have years of experience providing project management and consulting services for third party green building rating systems, such as LEED, GreenPoint Rated, and Building Biology. Healthy Building Science serves the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

History

Established in 2009.

Alex Stadtner created Healthy Building Science after more than a decade as an environmental scientist and green building consultant. The company has grown into a thriving small business since its founding in 2009. Environmental Testing, Healthy Building Inspections and Green Building Consulting empower our clients to create more healthy environments. Healthy Building Inspections and Environmental Testing often go hand-​in-​hand. High tech testing equipment and expert knowledge of construction techniques, building science, and environmental science enable us to identify contaminants and help create healthier existing buildings. Green Building Consulting may include anything from guiding commercial design/​build teams through the LEED or GreenPoint Rating process to helping families select healthy finishes for a nursery or kitchen remodel. HBS will discover the best path to create a healthy, safe, and comfortable environment.

Meet the Business Owner

Alex S.

Business Owner

Alex Stadtner is the Owner and Founder of Healthy Building Science and is a Green Building Consultant & Environmental Inspector for the Comapny. Alex’s credentials include an MS, CGBP, GPR, LEED-​AP, HHS, BBEC.

Alex started on the path of environmental work in college, where he attained a degree in Environmental Science & Environmental Policy. After college he worked as a Sustainability Manager at Antioch College for two years, before moving to NH to earn an MS in Resource Management & Administration at Antioch New England. After graduate school he worked with green building consulting pioneers, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems in Austin, and then a Portland-​based company specializing in third-​party building rating systems, especially LEED. Since then Alex has piled on environmental testing inspection certificates to broaden his knowledge of the industry and bridge the gap between environmental science and building science.

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19 reviews of Healthy Building Science

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Santa Clara, CA
As some of the others have said, these guys took a very scientific approach to the inspection. Kevin did our inspection and was very thorough and patient. I peppered him with questions throughout the 3 hour process and he was knowledgeable and amenable to answering all my queries.
I like that these guys understood the science behind VOCs, pollutants, and mold are well versed in scientific journal articles, in addition to the standard building construction knowledge.
The air sample and mold sample reports that came back were very detailed and compared our sample against thousands of others that the lab analyzes every year. I talked to quite a number of different air quality vendors and glad we went with HBS.
Place rating: 5
Alamo, CA
As a restaurant it’s important we have the safest possible environment for our employees and customers. We went to HBS with a number of concerns which they responded to with a comprehensive plan and a process that was extremely professional. The expertise they offered uncovered even areas that we hadn’t even considered, but the execution of their services left us feeling completely confident that no stone was unturned. Their services have given us more than a safe workplace, they’ve given us peace of mind. Highly recommended.
Place rating: 4
La Honda, CA
The best way to get the results you seek from HBS services is to bypass working directly with any contractors. Instead after paying for the initial consult and 30+ page report they give you then pay more money to have HBS babysit the contractors to make sure the contractors do the work that is asked of them which is outlined in the 30+ page report.
initially I paid $ 1,225 it took approximately 1 ½ — 2 hrs of time on site. Below is a detailed list of what was included:
— VISUAL evaluation of Accessible flues
— VISUAL evaluation of Ducts
— VISUAL evaluation of Air filtration
–And top-​to-​bottom VISUAL inspection of building for possible sources of indoor air contaminants
–Includes a thorough visual inspection of building from top (roof/*attic) to bottom (*crawlspace)
— Evaluate site and roof drainage (visually) and also use thermal imaging and moisture meters to scan for current moisture problems
— Air testing on site (carbon monoxide, Mold & combustible gases)
— 4 spore traps for Non-​Viable Fungi Analysis Sampling
We were provided with a very nice looking and professional 33 page report. It listed very good and very common sense recommendations.
Sadly, I trusted a contractor to do the work that was outlined in the 30+ page report but the contractor thought they had all the answers and they insisted that their plan was right and that HBS plan was not right. I was so confused by this particularly because I was really sick at the time due to mold exposure from the apartment we were living in and was completely unable to understand what the right choice was. The contractor charged us 9K and now all the contractors work will have to be taken out and redone. It will have to wait a couple of years though as we have run out of money.
I should have paid HBS to manage the contractor and then I would have avoided getting bad information from a lippy uncooperative contractor who did not know at all what they were talking about.
Paying HBS to babysit the contractors will cost extra but in the end the work will be done right which save you the hassle of what we are now dealing with.
Bottom line contractors are not the expert on healthy buildings don’t take their advice if it contradicts what HBS says in their report.
Place rating: 5
Portola Valley, CA
A very professional and helpful organization!
They are very responsive. Their examination of the home is thorough and the report is detailed and helpful. They found a problem with my house that no one else had been able to find. Once it was identified we were able to fix it.
Today I called them again about potential water damage to another home. The home is outside of the area that they normally cover. They still responded quickly and put me in touch with a restoration and remediation company that was equally as helpful and professional.
When you meet them you have the sense that the are very honest and scientific in their examination. They are also very reasonable and easy to talk with about the situation.
Place rating: 4
Pacifica, CA
I couple of years ago, while living in Colorado, I read an Angie’s List article about Healthy Building Science. At the time I thought, «Wow, I wish we had someone nearby who offered those services.» And, only a few short months later we moved to the Bay Areal! And so, I have had the opportunity to employ HBS twice to inspect our home. Cameron came out to do a building biology before we bought our condo. And then he came out again recently to do an EMF inspection at the advice of our doctor. Cameron is really nice and easy going. He was able to pick up on where our neighbors wifi is located and therefore where we are being most effected. He also picked up on a cordless keyboard & mouse that I had overlooked in my efforts to eliminate the EF, RF & MF within our home.
My only complaint is that the services they offer are not more complete. IE, both times I have been left with more questions. And maybe this has more to do with expectations? For example, with the most recent EMF inspection I had expected to not only get the readings, but also know where they are coming from and see how our installation of demand switches lowered the EF. Unfortunately we didn’t get a reading on the EF when the demand switches switched off the circuits and so I still don’t know if our demand switches have lowered 2 higher EF spots close to our beds. And, with our original Building Biology a well water test was done rather than a city water test. We still used those results to buy a whole house water filtration system, but I’m left wondering why?
So, in sum I have been pleased with my experiences with Healthy Building Sciences. I have been able to make improvements in the health of our home based on their assessments. I simply wish their assessments were more thorough. And I wish their report included resources of who might be available to help us implement the changes they recommend. Yet, with it being such a niche market maybe it’s really difficult to find qualified professionals who understand how products & their installation affects the health of a building?
After we install the shielding devices recommended, we will be having HBS come out again to inspect and also look into these 2 EF spots that I don’t understand.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Great job checking our house for EMF concerns after a big remodel. They identified several real issues and coordinated with an electrician to correct the work. Excellent staff and written reports that explained both technically and in layman’s terms what the issues were and how they were corrected. I recommend HBS highly!
Place rating: 5
Marin, CA
Loved it. We have a lower apartment that has had a funny smell for years. I was worried it might be mold, but when looking for someone to check for mold, I found their blog post about how one could check for mold, but if it ISN’T mold that is the source of your problem, then you’re still left with an unsolved challenge.
They were on time, professional, thorough in their examination and extremely informative. I highly recommend them.
Place rating: 2
San Francisco, CA
I called this company because I just bought a house, and whenever I am in the office in the basement, I notice a chemical smell and have a mildly hard time breathing. They said that they can do an evaluation for $ 500 and that it will include the whole house. I said that I’m only interested in the basement office where I have the problem, but they said this is the only option.
The inspector looked around the whole house and said a lot of the same things that were in the inspection report when we bought the house. I didn’t get a lot out of it. In the basement, the inspector said the best thing to do would be to identify what the problem was and to remove it, but he could not identify the problem. He suggested a few things including putting away our organic cleaning supplies in a closet, filling in some gaps in the ceiling in between pipes, and getting a ventilation system.
The information about the ventilation is different from what the HVAC person I had come out afterward told me. So, now it has been 3 weeks and I’m still getting sick everyday when I go to my home office to work.
The really frustrating thing is that the inspector said they have the means to test if there are chemicals down here we should be concerned about, but that is a different service. In the end, we paid a lot of money, and aren’t much closer to getting the problem fixed or even really identified.
Place rating: 5
Los Altos, CA
Healthy Building Science does great work! My employer has used them for three of his properties over the last several years, and having worked closely with them in that capacity, I can personally attest to their stellar professionalism, integrity, and expertise. Alex has also come out to assess possible mold and EMF issues at my home and the home of a friend, and gave us valuable information about the issues, as well as how to mitigate them. I can’t recommend Alex Stadtner and his team highly enough. I will be turning to them for home and office healthcare from here on out. There is no one else I would even consider using.
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
My family recently moved into a rental home in Marin, and health being a high priority we called the folks at Healthy Building Science to give the house a good going over. Alex and his technician were on time and very thorough. I highly recommend being there for the whole inspection, my husband and I learned so much about EMF’s and electrical safety amongst many other things. The team found a problem with our range hood fan and quickly took care of the problem. I highly recommend them.
Thanks, The Feathers
Place rating: 5
Tiburon, CA
Anyone with children should call Healthy Building Science. Alex Stadtner will come to your house, and tell you if it is «sick» or not. He is amazing. Alex has the technology to measure a multitude of possible toxic sources in a home. He can even tell you the best place in a room to place a child’s bed. I highly recommend his service.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I called these guys up for advice about a mold infestation in my building. They gave me great advice, even though it turned out that their services wouldn’t help me. They gave me a direct office number to the county official I needed to talk to, and send me happily on my way. I’m not even a customer and these guys did me a solid, and showed themselves to be knowledgeable and competent at the same time. Highly recommended!
Place rating: 5
Walnut Creek, CA
We did a small kitchen remodel and wanted it to be green and healthy. Friends recommended Healthy Building Science and they helped us navigate certification through GreenPoint Rated. They made the certification easy, and added lots of valuable information about best practices for healthy building too, also enhancing the value of our home at the same time. We plan some more remodeling in a few years and will be sure to hire them as green building consultants ! Highly recommend them, all professional and friendly.
Place rating: 5
Santa Clara, CA
I highly recommend having your home checked for EMF. I myself am an EMF enthusiast and have devices to detect it, but these guys have a much broader range of devices to measure other frequencies.
The best part is, that they recommend electricians that can resolve the problems and even recommend types of materials that should be used to rewire the electricity.
They are a bit pricey, but compared to the fact that I could not find any information about the proper wiring on the internet, it was money well spent.
Place rating: 5
Petaluma, CA
Alex was great, clear, friendly. We got educated about all the issues we asked concerning EMF and RF. We were able to make some small adjustments that made a big difference and wouldn’t have figured it out without him.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Very helpful and knowledgeable when I called for guidance and information. I would hire this company if I had the need.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I was extremely impressed by Alex and Robert from HBI. They responded to my email within a few hours and were able to come to our house for an EMF inspection the next day. Robert was extremely knowledgeable on both EMF and RF testing as well as safety and health concerns. I would highly recommend these guys to anyone!
Place rating: 4
San Jose, CA
Alex Stadner offers a very valuable service through Healthy Building Inspections. If you have any concerns related to the possibility of environmental contaminants in your home and you’d like a professional assessment, Alex is the person to call. He offers a wide range of techniques for inspecting and evaluating your living space (ranging from fairly simple, low-​tech, and reasonably-​priced to higher tech and slightly more expensive). He works with you in an individualized manner and tailors the inspection & recommendations in a way that reflects your unique health & living-​space concerns (as well as economic and other considerations). In today’s world, it is truly refreshing to find a professional who operates with such a high level of integrity.
Other pluses? Alex is clearly knowledgable about building biology and is experienced in dealing with a wide range of issues, such as mold, chemical pollution, VOC’s from remodeling or other sources, EMF levels, etc.). He is a great listener and a serious and dedicated professional. At the end of the inspection, after having processed the data collected, he provides a thorough report, which includes photos and suggestions for remediation or measures that should be taken.
Without hesitation, I highly recommend Alex Stadtner and Healthy Building Inspections!
Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA
Healthy Building Inspections run by Alex Stadtner is a great bau biologie/​building biology service. In today’s world where a lot of us are exposed to and can become ill from chemicals from toxic renovation materials, new carpets (very toxic), non-​green conventional paint (very toxic), mold, and other environmental pollutants, it helps to have a professional look into your place of residence (home, apartment) to have it evaluated for healthiness as a building and to make sure you can live as healthy as possible in your home.
Alex Stadtner is very friendly, knowledgeable and a certified bau biologist, professional, and attentive to his customers’ needs. Please consider this business when thinking about possibly renting or buying a new home (or even checking out the current healthiness of your present home) to determine its healthiness (mold inspections, environmental pollutant inspections, EMF-​electromagnetic field measurements/​electro-​smog). He can run all sorts of tests and at pretty reasonable rates too.