Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  04/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired Zsako Inspections to complete a home inspection for a home in Santa Fe NM prior to purchase. Based on their inspection I purchased the home. The day I moved in I found mold all over the home. Black mold under the sink, behind the refrigerator, behind the hot water heater, in the bedroom ceiling and bedroom closet. Zsako failed to identify any of the mold. They didn't even suggest that I get a mold inspection. After the mold was discovered, they referred me to their "sister company" ****** *********** to complete a full mold inspection and also referred me to a mold remediation company. After ****** *********** came out to do the mold inspection, the mold remediation company came to the house and said they did not believe Beyond Zsako Inspections did a comprehensive inspection and referred me to CERL. They came out and did a thorough inspection, and indeed their were more areas with mold not identified by ****** ***********. For me to live in the house, I had to spend $30,000.00 for toxic mold remediation and re-build. I had to move out of my home for a month and stay in a hotel during the remediation and rebuild. I don't believe ****** *********** is even a valid company. It's a snake pit. I don't believe the inspectors at Zsako Inspections or ****** *********** are qualified to provide home or mold inspections to the innocent people buying homes in Santa Fe NM. They should not be allowed to provide services. I saved for 25 years to buy a modest home in Santa Fe. I nearly lost everything. They are frauds. If needed I will supply all invoices for all of the inspections, the mold remediation and re-build, the hotel cost, plumbers...I can also provide the names and contact information for the legitimate mold inspection company and the honest mold remediation company. Both companies saved me from toxic mold and saved me from losing my home.I am hesitant to upload all of the invoices until I hear back from you. Thank you. ***** *****************

  Business response

  05/25/2022

  Zsako Home Inspections completed the inspection and report for *** ** **** ** on October 29th for Ms. ***** *******. At the time of the inspection the home was fully occupied so the inspector, Seth Snow, offered to return to the home after the occupants had vacated the home as there were parts of the home that could not be visually inspected while is was occupied. Ms ******* denied the offer.

  On December 21st, 2021 ****** *********** Group completed the mold test for this home and Zsako Home Inspections received an email from Ms ******* requesting that management call her. I Michelle C********* ********** *******, called Ms ******* that day and explained that home inspectors are not qualified to identify mold and that our inspector was not responsible for the expense incurred for mold remediation of the home. Ms ******* was adament about monetary compensation for her situation.

  On February 9th, 2022 Zsako Home Inspections received a complaint on behalf of Ms ******* from the NM Home Inspections Licensing Board. A response was sent to the Board for the complaint on February 16th, 2022 and is attached for your review.

  On March 14th, 2022 Zsako Home Inspections received a set of follow-up questions from the NM Home Inspections Licensing Board on behalf of Ms ******* and on March 16th, 2022 a 2nd response was sent to the Board from Zsako Home Inspections to answer the follow-up questions. That response is attached for your review.

  On April 6th, 2022 Zsako Home Inspections received the Complaint Closure Letter from the NM Home Inspections Licensing Board stating that no evidence of a violation had been found. The closure letter is attached for your review.

  Zsako Home Inspections is happy to answer any further questions you may have and provide any information in regards to this incident that is requested.

  Respectfully,

  Michelle C********, Operations Officer
  Zsako Home Inspections Inc
  **** ********* *** ***** ****
  ***** *** ** *****

  Customer response

  05/25/2022

  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  Zsako Inspections failed to see mold that was visible to the naked eye ~ even with the previous owner's belongings at the residence.  Open the door to the hot water heater closet, look down, visible black mold coming up over the baseboard, where Seth S*** commented about the hot water heater.  Visible black mold under the sink, where Seth S*** noted issues with the garbage disposal.  Visible black mold in the closet where Seth S*** noted the flooring was not finished.

  I did not have the option for Seth S***/Zsako Inspections to come out after the previous owners moved out and the residence was empty.  It was not an option.  I relied on your service to provide a thorough home inspection.  I sold my home in Colorado and simultaneously purchased the home in Santa Fe.  I purchased the home and paid the price for the home based on the information you provided.  At the very least Seth S***/Zsako Inspections should have recommended on the home inspection report that I should get a mold inspection.  They made recommendations for the other issues with the home.  

  ****** *********** failed to find the extent of the mold in the residence.  They only tested the areas that I pointed to.  They charged a premium for the inspection, but failed to identify all of the areas of the home with mold. 

  It was recommended by the mold remediation company that I get another mold inspection.  I took their advice and had CERL come out and they did find more mold than ****** *********** found.  

  How did these Zsako owned companies miss such crucial information?  At the very, very, very least you should refund me the inspection charges you charged me and apologize.

  Zsako missed $30,000.00 worth of mold remediation and rebuild and were inaccurate for the mold inspection.  Of course I had to pay for this additional mold inspection. 

  I question whether the people you sent here were qualified.  How does Zsako Inspections and ****** *********** consider themselves a professional service? 

  Is it coincidence that both companies are both owned by Zsako and did not provide the information a potential buyer needed to purchase a home?  Or provide an accurate comprehensive mold inspection after they failed to identify the mold in the original home inspection?The service I reached cost me $30,000.00 just to live in my house.  I am not a mold expert, but I found visible black harmful mold the day I moved into the house.  I also got good advice from the mold remediation company.  If I relied on ****** *********** report of mold, I would still have mold in several areas of the house.

  Please consider refunding me the charges for your failed inspections.  Thank you.  ***** ******* *** ** **** **  ***** ** **  ***** 

  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *******

  
  

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