ComplaintsforTexInspec, Inc

• Initial Complaint

  02/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ** November 8, 2021, we had the TexInspec company come out to do a home inspection for our home purchase. We were within our option period to pull out of the purchase if we were unhappy with the condition of the house. Per the inspector's report, he failed to disclose the active rat infestation in the attic. He did in fact inspect the attic because that is where the **** system is, and he also included pictures from the attic in the report. We ended up buying the house based on the misinformation of his report. We called Terminex and Orkin to come look in the attic when we heard scratching noises and they found the infestation. According to both companies report, the inspector should have told us about this. There was NO way he would have been able to miss the infestation. There were rat traps, poison pellets, rat droppings, holes in the insulation, it smelled horrible and there were urine stains on the attic floor. When they showed us the pictures from their report, we noticed a big black stain with animal fur in it. This same big black stain was present in a picture that the home inspector took when he took a picture of our **** system. Accept the home inspector told us this stain was from the **** system. (A problem the sellers took care of.) ** our third night in the house, I walked into the kitchen and a rat ran across the counter. We had Terminx out the next day to remove the insulation, sanitize and get rid of the rats as well as seal up the house. This process ended up costing us $10,102.23 on top of the $433 we paid for the home inspection. We called TexInspec and alerted them to the issue once we knew about it and I was told I would receive a call back and never did. After 3 days of no response, I started calling every day and it wasn't until I threatened legal action that I finally got a call back. They said they dont have to disclose a rat infestation per TX **************************** Our attorney is writing up a demand for Arbitration as we speak.

  Business response

  03/03/2022

  To whom it may concern,

  The client called in on December 13 for an inspection that was performed on November 8th to complain about a rodent infestation. On 12/16, we spoke with the client and arranged to revisit the property to evaluate the issue. At the revisit, we were informed that the remediation had already taken place, and there was nothing to view.

   

  Rodents are specifically excluded from a home inspection by the ***** *********************** who licenses and regulates Home Inspectors in *****. 

  TITLE 22           EXAMINING BOARDS
  PART 23           ***** REAL ESTATE COMMISSION
  CHAPTER 535  GENERAL PROVISIONS
  SUBCHAPTER R           REAL ESTATE INSPECTORS
  RULE 535.227            Standards of Practice:General Provisions
  ISSUE   09/10/2021
  (d)General limitations. The inspector is not required to:
    (3)determine:
      (A)the presence or absence of pests,termites, or other wood-destroying insects or organisms;

  In our inspection agreement, it states "Inspector must be allowed access to the property to evaluate these items before any corrective action is taken. The customer agrees and understands that any repairs or corrective action taken without consultation with TEXINSPEC relieves TEXINSPEC of any and all liability."

  Because the issue is not part of a home inspection, and the issue was resolved prior to us being able to evaluate it, TEXINSPEC bears no responsibility regarding this issue.

  If you have any other questions, you may reach me directly at *********************************** or call or text my cellphone at **************.

  Thank you, 

  ***************************

  Customer response

  03/06/2022

  Complaint: 16745686
  
  I am rejecting this response because: yes the inspection was done in November but we didnt close on the house until December 10. Not to mention when I called them after we figured out the problem it took 2 weeks and the threat of a law suit to finally get a phone call back. And yes when the supervisor showed up to the house to see the damage not disclosed in the report, but we had already had it fixed. We had rat in our kitchen and pantry. They were in the actual house! Were we supposed to live with them until they came to see what they had missed? We have plenty of pictures to show them, they didnt want to see. We have kids! Thats so unsanitary. My son was and still is sick bc of it. There was significant damage to the air ducts and it allowed the rat germs to come into the house. My son has been on medication and has missed weeks of school because of it. We have doctor ***** as well as documentation that the rat infestation is what caused it. We would NOT have bought the house if we had known about it. And his inspector disclosed other animal droppings in the report! Why disclose some but not all. You cant have it both ways, and thats the loop hole. So cute whatever you want. We are still going to include you in the petition. And I wont stop until everyone knows how unprofessional and lazy your company is.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  03/10/2022

  The initial complaint came to us on 12/13/2021. We responded on 12/16/2021 and scheduled an appointment to visit the property and assess the situation on 12/22/2021. Upon visiting the property, we were told that remediation had taken place, and there was nothing to see.

  Again, in our inspection agreement, it states "Inspector must be allowed access to the property to evaluate these items before any corrective action is taken. The customer agrees and understands that any repairs or corrective action taken without consultation with TEXINSPEC relieves TEXINSPEC of any and all liability."

  Furthermore, informing you of the indications of lizard activity in the electrical panel was done as a courtesy, as on occasion they can cause issues in the electrical panel. 

  As we have stated before, rodents are specifically excluded from a home inspection by the ***** *********************** who licenses and regulates Home Inspectors in *****. 
  TITLE 22           EXAMINING BOARDS
  PART 23           ***** REAL ESTATE COMMISSION
  CHAPTER 535  GENERAL PROVISIONS
  SUBCHAPTER R           REAL ESTATE INSPECTORS
  RULE 535.227            Standards of Practice: General Provisions
  ISSUE   09/10/2021
  (d)General limitations. The inspector is not required to:
  (3)determine:
  (A)the presence or absence of pests, termites, or other wood-destroying insects or organisms;

  While we sympathize with your family and your son's condition, it is impossible to hold the inspector responsible for something that he was not licensed or required to do by the ***** *********************** As a gesture of good will, the company has agreed to refund your full inspection fee of $433. This is the maximum liability agreed to in the inspection agreement. 

  Anytime the company issues a refund back to a client, we are required by our insurance company to receive a signed release. This is not an admission of guilt, but rather our way of trying to help you out as much as possible, and to reduce the stress that goes along with buying a home. I hope that this will help resolve this issue and let you know that we are trying to be as fair as possible.
  
  

  Customer response

  03/14/2022

  Complaint: 16745686
  
  I am rejecting this response because: our attorney advised us to do so.
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  01/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  TexInspec, 6/29/21 I have bought and sold 30+ homes, had inspected without complaints.I was out-of state and relied on this inspection.TexInspec did a superficial inspection. I asked for a refund, and was told I would hear back Monday (3 days later), no one called.Issues:- Windows: water ****-BRm, LRm leakage not noted, 2 ********** would not open -Electric panel circuits not identified as required by code -MBR BRM shower drain was plugged solid with hair, other taps were tested -Under cabinet kitchen light missing, not noted, but a bulb missing was noted

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