Could the seller have simply offered a credit instead?

That is a common alternative, and it lets the buyer choose the contractor after closing. The trade-off is that the work is not done or verified before the sale, and lenders or contract terms may affect what is allowed.

Why use an independent assessor here?

With money and deadlines on both sides, an assessor who does not do the removal gives both parties a neutral description of the problem and a neutral check at the end.

Example: Crawlspace Mold Found During a Wheat Ridge Sale

The inspection window

Contract deadlines drive this situation, so the timing matters as much as the mold.

Inspection day: The buyer's inspector photographs dark spotting on joists, fallen insulation and bare soil in part of the crawlspace.
Next two days: The buyer asks for an assessment; an independent assessor measures moisture and confirms surface growth on sound wood.
Before the objection deadline: The buyer submits a request asking for remediation and moisture correction, with documentation.
Negotiation: Buyer and seller agree on a written scope and who will hire the contractor.
Before closing: Work is completed, verified and the records are handed to the buyer.

How it played out

Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.

In this hypothetical case, the house is a 1950s ranch on a large lot. The seller had no idea the crawlspace was damp; nobody had been in it for years.

The assessor finds the joists sound and the growth on their surfaces, concentrated near the bathroom and where a plastic liner had been pulled back.
A slow drip at a bathtub drain is found and fixed by a plumber.
The agreed scope covers containment, HEPA vacuuming and cleaning of affected joists, removal of fallen insulation, a new full liner and extended downspouts.
The buyer's side arranges a visual verification after the work, with moisture readings, before containment is removed.

The sale closed with a documented, verified repair. The buyer received the scope, photos and readings, and the seller had a clear record of what was done.

Questions each side might ask

Buyer: Is the wood structurally sound, or only stained and spotted?
Buyer: What caused the moisture, and is that part of the fix?
Seller: Is the scope specific enough that the work can be finished before closing?
Both: Who hires and pays the contractor, and how will completion be confirmed?
Both: Should older duct wrap or pipe insulation be tested before work starts?

Common questions

Could the seller have simply offered a credit instead?: That is a common alternative, and it lets the buyer choose the contractor after closing. The trade-off is that the work is not done or verified before the sale, and lenders or contract terms may affect what is allowed.
Why use an independent assessor here?: With money and deadlines on both sides, an assessor who does not do the removal gives both parties a neutral description of the problem and a neutral check at the end.

General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.