Reviewed and updated September 10, 2026. This article provides general public-health and referral guidance, not testing, medical, legal or engineering advice.
Both routes can answer a real question
A properly approved and handled DIY kit is not a toy. Passive devices are widely used for home screening, and NYSDOH operates a testing program for residents. The homeowner must choose the right location, maintain conditions, record times, seal the device and return it as instructed.
A certified professional does not make radon more measurable; the service adds protocol selection, placement judgment, documentation and, with some devices, records that help identify interference or unusual conditions. The better choice depends on what will be decided from the result.
Use a DIY kit for an unhurried household screening
A DIY test is a reasonable choice when you control the home, can follow closed-house instructions and are not trying to satisfy a transaction requirement. It can also be an economical way to establish a baseline or check a lower level after an occupancy change.
Read the device label before opening it. Confirm the laboratory, expiration, required duration, placement and return deadline. A bargain kit that sits unmailed or expires before use is not less expensive in practice.
Hire a professional when the process needs an independent record
Real-estate transactions, disputes about conditions, unusual floor plans and tight deadlines often justify certified testing. A professional can match the protocol to the transaction, document the room and closed-house conditions, and use a continuous monitor or other accepted method when appropriate.
Ask what credential applies, which device will be used, how interference is evaluated, whether laboratory fees are included and when the written report will arrive. NYSDOH maintains information for locating certified testing professionals.
Device type is not the only quality question
A continuous monitor can produce hourly information, but poor placement still produces a poor decision. A passive charcoal device has no electronics, yet careful placement and prompt laboratory analysis can make it useful. Long-term alpha-track testing can better approximate annual average when the decision allows more than 90 days.
Whichever route you choose, avoid kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, furnace rooms, crawlspaces and strong drafts. Use the lowest level that could be occupied regularly. Do not shorten the duration because a deadline changed.
Plan the action before the result arrives
Know who you will contact if the report is 4 pCi/L or higher and what confirmation guidance applies to the device. EPA recommends mitigation at or above 4 and says reduction may be considered between 2 and 4.
If you prefer professional help, request a radon test through our referral form. With your consent, we can share the request with one participating independent provider, who confirms availability, testing method and price. If testing supports mitigation, the above-4 guide and regional estimate guide are the next useful reads.
Sources
Primary guidance used for this article
We use government and public-health sources, distinguish historical datasets from current household measurements, and do not invent local results. Read our editorial policy.