HomeTeam Inspection Service

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaintContrary to their response, the business has not contacted me.Regards,
[redacted]

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: this business broke one of my windows as they were inspecting my home. They are refusing to take responsibility for the damage they caused during inspection. I discovered the subject window damage after they left my home following their inspection; therefore, this business is directly responsible.
Regards,
[redacted]  [redacted]

JANUARY 5, 2015 Cincinnati Revdex.com 7 West 7th St., Ste. 1600, Cincinnati, OH 45202 HomeTeam of Cincinnati is responding to a letter we received from Cincinnati Revdex.com, on 12/19/2014. The customer ID number of complaint is [redacted]. We have acknowledged the above ID number. I followed up with an email on December 29, 2014 to the client asking her to get back with me to discuss her issues. She responded with email that she was extremely busy and would call me Friday, January 2. No call or email was received. As stated previously, we never knew there was an issue with the inspection until over a year after the inspection was performed. Again, our inspection was a visual inspection and I refer the client to read her signed agreement concerning her issues. [redacted] OWNER OF HOMETEAM INSPECTION SERVICE

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  We have finally spoke this weekend. He does not feel the rubber hose was over looked and was normal?? He said he was going to speak with the service techs in regards to dishwasher but only said it was good the oven got fixed. I am supposed to hear back from him after he speaks to his guys. I told him its in my report that they noted it was fine. I'm not sure what he will do but not feeling confident. If he gets back with me I will contact you. 
Regards,
[redacted] We have finally spoke this weekend. He does not feel the rubber hose was over looked and was normal?? He said he was going to speak with the service techs in regards to dishwasher but only said it was good the oven got fixed. I am supposed to hear back from him after he speaks to his guys. I told him its in my report that they noted it was fine. I'm not sure what he will do but not feeling confident. If he gets back with me I will contact you.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 11, 2015/10/13) */
The primary complaint relates to the deck being allegedly improperly installed with no flashing. As noted in the Inspection Report, the Inspection was based on "observation of the visible and apparent condition of the structure." [redacted]...

[redacted] suggested that I failed to climb under the deck and inspect it. I have several pictures from under the deck. As evidenced by the pictures in the inspection report, the deck was partially snow covered at the time of the inspection. The report also specifically noted that flashing could not be inspected. Ms. [redacted] mentioned that the deck along the rear of the house was rotten and visible mold and fungus was growing out of the wall of the home. This was only discovered, according to the conversation with [redacted], after heavy rains in May. As mentioned in the complaint, the inspection occurred on April 3, mold and fungus would not be visible since the winter season was just ending. The nature of the hidden defect is supported by the pictures sent from Ms. [redacted], all of which reveal that the deck issues were only visible upon demolition and removal of the decking materials.
The initial email we received from Ms. [redacted] references a broken window and door that was not properly attached. With respect to the window, the window was not cracked, but rather had paint on the exterior. With respect to the door, the front exterior door was inspected and was functional. It should also be noted at the time of the inspection there were numerous personal items and books stacked near the door. The sellers of the home were present the entire time of the inspection and, in the process of moving with about 3 or 4 "helpers", so was completely cluttered with boxes, furniture and other personal items. The kitchen counters were cluttered with many items that made them very difficult to see. The entire home was in disarray with these items.
Regarding the master bedroom window, again with all the items in the home being moved, it was not accessible. Home inspectors do not move boxes, furniture, personal items, etc. during an inspection.
The Home Inspection Report and Contract are replete with language addressing the limited scope of the inspection.
The Inspection Agreement plainly states this was a visual inspection only. These limitations are consistent with national standards. Pursuant to the standards and practice of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, a home inspection is "is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of a residential property ... based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions." See InterNACHI SOP § 1.1, ("Definitions and Scope"). The same standards also specifically provide that a home inspection is "not technically exhaustive" and "will not identify concealed or latent defects." See InterNACHI SOP § 2.1, ("Limitations"). The standards go on to provide that an inspector is "not required to determine the the condition of any component or system that is not readily accessible." See InterNACHI SOP § 2.2, ("Exclusions")
Additional emails reference liability of the seller - that is the appropriate avenue for recourse, not the inspector. Sellers are required to disclose defects. Here, Ms. [redacted] stated that she discovered the deck issue during a recent rain and she happened to be at the property and a large amount of water came into the house through/under the sliding glass door. While cleaning it up, she noticed the floor felt "spongy". This is the type of hidden defect that would be impossible for a home inspector to discover given the general noninvasive nature of the inspection. However, given Ms. [redacted]'s discovery after being present for a rain storm, it is difficult to believe the seller was unaware of this issue
In short, a home inspector cannot be liable for finding hidden defects, which were only visible upon demolition of the deck. These items are plainly excluded in the Inspection Agreement and Inspection Report. Copies of both are available.
Finally, Ms. [redacted]'s statement that we would not respond to calls or request to compensate is incorrect. We have responded to each communication from Ms. [redacted], even though she does not own the home and is continuing to explain the scope of the inspection and issues as the representative for the buyer/owner. I asked Ms. [redacted] for the buyer/owner contact information to talk with them personally regarding this matter. She said that would not be necessary as she was representing the buyer/owner and that she would be the contact.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 13, 2015/10/15) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
As co-trustee of the Trust which purchased the property I have legal authority to communicate with the Inspector.
The "snow" he refers to was less than 1/2 inch, which had nothing to do with the visible inspection of the deck. The fungus was visible immediately at the entry to the sliding glass door and under the deck which had no snow on it. The report made no mention of the deck didn't have flashing or that it could need additional inspection. It was silent.
The leaking master bedroom windows and the bubbled paint on the sill indicating continued leaking was evident and not blocked by boxes.
Buyer's rely on home inspector reports- they hold themselves out as experts, and inform the Buyer/Seller of potential issues which may involve further investigation. Why hire a home inspector if they have no responsibility for identifying potential defects.
There was nothing hidden in disclosing the issues of this case. Photos of mushroom and fungus are not "hidden", no flashing is not " hidden", bubbled paint on sills indicating prior moisture is not hidden, large cracks in grout in the kitchen counter is not hidden, a front door that is not attached to the foundation is not hidden.
After receiving a copy of the contract for the inspection, which was scheduled on line, and took me 6 weeks to get a copy of from the attorney representing the insurance company for the inspector, imagine my surprise to learn that "negligence" is not covered. Any business should be accountable for negligence. This is unheard of and certainly had I known of this limit to their work I would never have recommended them, and won't in the future.
Buyer's and seller should be informed that the home inspection is not worth the paper it's printed on, especially when a faulty inspection results in 10,000s of dollars of damage to a buyer and the inspector won't stand behind his work or share any of the cost.

JANUARY 5, 2015 Cincinnati Revdex.com 7 West 7th St., Ste. 1600, Cincinnati, OH 45202 HomeTeam of Cincinnati is responding to a letter we received from Cincinnati Revdex.com, on 12/19/2014. The customer ID number of complaint is [redacted]. We have acknowledged the above 1D number. I followed up with an email on December 29, 2014 to the client asking her to get back with me to discuss her issues. She responded with email that she was extremely busy and would call me Friday, January 2. No call or email was received. As stated previously, we never knew there was an issue with the inspection until over a year after the inspection was performed. Again, our inspection was a visual inspection and I refer the client to read her signed agreement concerning her issues. [redacted] OWNER OF HOMETEAM INSPECTION SERVICE

Better Business...

Bureau:
I have reviewed the offer and/or response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
 RE:      Complaint ID [redacted],            Rejection of company's reply The company's reference to "concealed conditions ..." is irrelevant as the discoloration of the wooden floor near toilet base was not concealed. To a professional, that should have been a red flag and at the very least specifically noted in a home inspection report. Company also asserts that they are not required to "determine" the presence of mold. However that claim, whether true or not, is again irrelevant. Only a professional equipped for such testing can make a positive determination.  At the very least however, a proper inspection report should have strongly recommended such testing by a qualified professional. A plumber is NOT such a qualified professional to determine mold, and Company only recommended "... repair by a qualified licensed plumber."  A plumber cannot determine, let alone "repair" mold.  This report recommendation was in response to a toilet that ran continuously after flushing, not in response to a possible condition of mold. Company replied that their comments "were plainly suggested to put any person on notice of the need to remedy the damage in question."  The "damage in question" they refer to in their reply was "an improperly sealed flapper"  subsequently repaired. And the toilet no longer runs continuously now after flushing. But there is absolutely no mentioned of the much greater potential damage of mold. There is no mention of floor discoloration. No mention of softening texture of surrounding wood floor. No recommendation of contacting an expert to make a determination of whether or not mold was present. For this reason I reject the Company's reply and reassert that the inspection was negligent in failing to report visible signs a potential health hazard which would have greatly impacted my decision to purchase this house in the first place several weeks ago.
Regards,
[redacted]

Failed to identify electrical panel as one that home owners insurance companies will not insure with out it being replaced costing me $900 to have an electrician replace it. Offered me no refund or even an apology for their mistake.

To Whom It May Concern, Please see the attached correspondence we issued to the client in this matter. We plainly noted the damage in question. The client subsequently uncovered additional damage during repairs, based upon our recommendations [redacted] * [redacted]

I received this email from [redacted] on Jul 27, 2017: . Press the Enter key to open the contact card.">[redacted]Jul 7/27, 3:10 PMMy name is [redacted]. You completed an inspection for us at a home in [redacted] we recently...

moved in to at [redacted].  I'm writing because we have just found out that you missed a serious structural problem that will cost us thousands of dollars to fix.  We have had two separate contractors and engineers come to the house and immediately notice the defect in the main beam structure running the length of the basement. This is most certainly a 'material defect' as defined in our contract as is structural, which is included in the inspection. It was not concealed at the time of the inspection. It was and is visible to the naked eye upon viewing the basement utility room. It's shocking to us that this was missed. Ultimately we would not have bought the house had we known about the structural issue. It is going to cost us thousands of dollars to fix, other costs associated with having to move out while the work is being completed. We have already incurred costs associated with a having a structural engineer assess & draw up plans. It is incredibly disappointing to us to learn that such a big issue was overlooked in our inspection and that the knowledge would have vastly changed our decision to purchase the home in it's current condition.  In looking back at the agreement in place for the inspection it seems your liability is limited to our amount paid for the inspection of $399.  While this only covers a tiny fraction of the cost we are now stuck with due to this missed defect, we are seeking to reclaim that $399.  I contacted [redacted] the following day by phone and left a voicemail that I would like to talk to her to discuss this email.  I received this email after I left the voicemail:  [redacted]   Reply all|Fri 7/28, 9:13 AMHomeTeam of [redacted] InboxI received your voicemail but would prefer that all communication take place in writing so there is a record. Thank you.[redacted] I responded with this email:Fri 7/28, 1:21 PMHi [redacted],Please provide the contractor and structural engineer reports for my review.  Also, please attach any pictures.After I have reviewed the reports and pictures, I would like to come by the property at a time that is convenient for you. Please do not proceed with any work until I have had a chance to re-inspect.Thank you. [redacted]
 
[redacted]  According to the inspection agreement that [redacted] signed, item 11 states: 11.     Client shall provide HomeTeam with written notice of any unreported defect or deficiency, of any damage or injury caused by HomeTeam, its employees or agents, or of any other claim ("Claim"), within ten business days after Client discovers or reasonably should have discovered the Claim. Client shall not commence any legal proceeding relating to the Claim for thirty days after HomeTeam's receipt of notice of the Claim, during which time Client shall provide HomeTeam with reasonable access to the Property and opportunity to investigate and cure the Claim. If Client fails to provide HomeTeam with the notice or cure period, or alters, repairs or replaces any system or component of the Property that may have a bearing upon the Claim, thereby preventing HomeTeam from independently verifying the existence or extent thereof, then Client shall be deemed to have irrevocably waived and released the Claim against HomeTeam, its inspectors, employees, agents, officers, directors, shareholders, members, principals, partners, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns and legal representatives. Any legal action arising out of, from or related to this Pre-inspection Agreement or arising out of, from or related to the Inspection or Inspection Report, including (but not limited to) the arbitration proceeding more specifically described below, must be commenced within one (1) year from the date of the home inspection. Failure to bring such an action within this time period shall be a complete bar to any such action and a full and complete waiver of any rights, or claims based thereon. I have not heard from [redacted] by any means since I requested the information in the email I sent her on July 28, 2017.  This is the first correspondence that I am aware of since that time. Please contact me if you have any additional questions. Thank you. [redacted]