Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  07/14/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had a home, sewer & termite inspection on March 23, 2023 at a cost of $600. The inspector (****) committed to do a thorough inspection of the interior and exterior of my potential new home. He subcontracted the sewer inspector, **** ***** with *** ***** * ******* **** for a thorough inspection of the sewer system. The home inspector did not do a thorough inspection. When I moved in I could not close and lock 3 windows in the spare room without third party help. The GFI for the washing machine did not work at all. It is a 15 amp and is not separated (which is a code violation). The GFI in the bathroom was audibly ticking and had to be professionally fixed due to the wiring. 6/16/23 The drain backed up in my basement causing standing water in 3 areas of my home. During the sewer inspection, I was lead to believe all the lines were checked, but in reality, only one line was checked and there was no mention whatsoever that there was a second line or that it hadn't been checked. There is a 6-8" sunken gap in the concrete in the far corner of my garage. **** mentioned that the side door was obstructed but did not tell the home owner, who was present, to move the item. Had he done so he would have discovered this huge gap and the 8' x 11' slope toward the corner. These issues should have been discovered during a normal home inspection and I feel he neglected to do a thorough job. I have had conversations with both of these men. Neither he, nor the sewer inspector, will take any sort of responsibility for the issues I have had due to being given misinformation and neglectful inspecting.

  Business response

  07/15/2023

  At Trident Inspections, we go above & beyond to provide our clients with the best possible inspections. In the contract/agreement that is signed by both parties, prior to the inspection, the standards of practice are clearly stated.

  We would be happy to address each of the concerns below. Trident Inspection's answers are below each of the clients' concerns:

  1. When I moved in I could not close and lock 3 windows in the spare room without third party help.

  At the time of the inspection, 2 of the 3 windows were inaccessible. The 3rd window was inspected and functioned properly. 

  2. The GFI for the washing machine did not work at all. It is a 15 amp and is not separated (which is a code violation). 

  As stated by the customer in our discussion, this outlet was not accessible due to the placement of the washing machine. Determining what is on a circuit, is beyond the scope of a home inspection per the Illinois Standards of Practice. 

  3. The GFI in the bathroom was audibly ticking and had to be professionally fixed due to the wiring. 

  The GFCI outlet, in the basement bathroom, was tested. The outlet tripped as intended and reset. The outlet was functioning as intended after testing.

  4. 6/16/23 The drain backed up in my basement causing standing water in 3 areas of my home. During the sewer inspection, I was lead to believe all the lines were checked, but in reality, only one line was checked and there was no mention whatsoever that there was a second line or that it hadn't been checked. 

  Our understanding, from the invoice that was provided by the client, the backup in the basement was from the sewer line that originates in the basement bathroom. During the course of our inspection, the 3 fixtures in the bathroom were tested simultaneously. There was no back-up at the time of the inspection. 

  5. There is a 6-8" sunken gap in the concrete in the far corner of my garage. **** mentioned that the side door was obstructed but did not tell the home owner, who was present, to move the item. Had he done so he would have discovered this huge gap and the 8' x 11' slope toward the corner. 

  There is a photo attached here, which clearly shows the obstructed area. This includes multiple items, such as motorcycles, doors, shelves, etc. The home was occupied at the time of the inspection. Requesting that all corners be made accessible, is impractical and beyond the scope of a home inspection. 

   

  As quoted in the report to this client:

  This home is occupied. Personal and stored items are present throughout the home. We do not move personal or stored items to inspect behind or
  underneath them. We made every effort to see around them and inspect as much of the home as possible. There may be defects or issues that we
  could not access or see.

  We feel for the client and never like to see them be unhappy with their new home. 

  Customer response

  07/26/2023

  I do not accept these answers.

  When I spoke to **** about these issues on July 10th, 2023 at 8:57am he said that he "only has so much time". He stated that he checked the washer GFI but that was a blatant lie if he can't/won't move anything. Everything in the downstairs is on one 15 amp circuit, which includes, the bathroom, washer, dryer, large living area and 2 bedrooms. I would think that an inspector would have knowledge about or be required to know something about electricity, considering this could potentially burn my house down.

  I was not informed that there was a second sewer line at all and he did not do any inspection of this line. I was told that the sewer inspection went well and there was nothing wrong. There is no excuse for me not being INFORMED by a professional inspector of the secondary line. Had I been informed, I would have had this line inspected as well and the blockage would have been found. I also wouldn't have had nightmare of the flood downstairs and the $452.00 expense to clear the blockage.  

  Again, the door leading outside should have been inspected, not every corner. Had he opened the door he would have discovered the crack in the floor leading the the sunken corner.

  I spoke to a contractor that came to my home and he told me that he has worked with residential home inspectors where not even the slightest infraction gets by them nor is overlooked. This was quite the contrary with my experience with these two inspectors. 

   

  
  

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