A Closer Look Home Inspections, Inc.

Review: We were referred to these inspectors by our realtor. The inspection was done by [redacted] of A Closer Look Home Inspection. He passed our HVAC system and even charged us MORE to look at a second HVAC unit in our attic. On moving day, we turned the upstairs A/C unit on and water started leaking from the ceiling. We called our service technician who glanced at our outside unit upon arrival and immediately knew something was wrong with the way the system was setup. As he walked through the house, the technician found that we had two indoor a-coils (A/C units) setup to split off of one outdoor condensing unit. He said that A/C units should never be set up this way, there should always be one outside unit per inside coil. After looking at the entire system, the technician gave us an estimate of around $3,700 to correct it. We also had the HVAC inspector for the City of Appleton come take a look to see if he could look back in his records and find out who installed the system. He told us basically the same things that our technician had told us about how poorly the system was installed. Unfortunately he was unable to find any records of who installed the system because it was illegally done without permits. Once we had two opinions, we called [redacted] back to tell him what the city inspector and HVAC technician said. [redacted] came back to the house to look at our situation again. He walked us through a couple of things from his original report and said that he only looked for a couple things (basically just checking temperatures). As we described to him what our service technician/city inspector said, he insisted that they were wrong and the system looked fine to him. Although the inspection report specifically states that he didn’t check for freon leaks, he tried telling us that the service technician was completely wrong and that there were no leaks in the lines. When we asked what could’ve caused the leak in our ceiling, he was quick to point out a rust spot at the bottom of the A/C unit--this was not disclosed in the original inspection report at all even though he provided a picture of the unit with the cover off on the report and the rust spot would’ve been easily visible to him while inspecting the unit the first time. If he had any basic knowledge of HVAC systems besides what temperature it should be, we would have had the previous homeowners pay for the system to be installed properly. We definitely would not have paid above asking price or not bought the house at all. Now we have at least $5,000 in repairs to correct HVAC system.Desired Settlement: At the very least I want my inspection money back. I feel inspector should pay for repairs.

Business

Response:

In response to complaint with the Revdex.com of Wisconsin in regards to inspection performed at [redacted] on July 12, 2014. The initial inspection performed on July 12, 2014, found the A/C unit in satisfactory and serviceable condition, with damage noted to the insulation on the lines themselves at the time of inspection, following normal procedures as a home inspector to evaluate the system. Attached is a copy from the page of the report referring to the Air Conditioning System, with disclosure of items we are able to inspect during a visual inspection. Also attached is a copy of the reference to Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code to the Home Inspector Standards of Practice, This letter was sent to Homeowner as well. A Closer Look Home Inspections has responded to them by revisiting The home twice, first time to listen to the home owner concerns and a second to potentially verify equipment and resolve issues at hand. Unfortunately the loss of the system charge or leak in system is not predictable by anyone including a HVAC contractor. The system installed with two in door A-coils and one outside condensing unit is acceptable with certain equipment applications, proper equipment right sizing, and appropriate local municipal permits pulled. Unfortunately verifying these items are not done by the home inspector. No comment was made by A Closer Look Home Inspection that the HVAC contractor was incorrect in his findings, We refer clients, to have systems further evaluated by a Licensed HVAC Contractor on a regular basis, these are the individuals who have the extensive knowledge in the field . We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused the homeowner but feel we have followed Standards of Practice as a Licensed Wisconsin Home Inspector in regards to the Home Inspection completed at 803 N Oneida St. on July 12, 2014.Sincerely[redacted]A Closer Look Home Inspections Inc[redacted]

[redacted] of A Closer Look Home Inspection, Hortonville, WI, inspected our home at [redacted] prior to our purchase on July 3, 2012. In the process, he did not notice two significant defects (foundation crack, water leak from shower soaking into drywall). I contacted him with my concerns and stating my desire for a refund. He reinspected and refused to refund his fee, stating that the crack was not a structural threat or concern, and blaming the leak and water damage on improper caulking. In doing so, he made a de facto admission that he failed to note these defects in his report. It is not his role to judge or debate the potential costs or threat of any defect (in fact, this in violation of the ASHI guidlines), but rather to point them out to the potential home buyer. Had he pointed out these obvious flaws, we would have made significant changes to our offer to purchase the house. Therefore, his actions have cost us a significant amount of money in both purchase price and repair costs, substantially more than his fee of $275.