I must express my deep regret for hiring Ken Einhorn for our home inspection. He was recommended by our realtor, which was possibly a red flag. However, as first-time home buyers navigating the hectic and fast-paced market, we relied on their advice and the reviews were mostly positive. This updated post is to provide an account of issues that arose days after we moved into our home, as well as to serve as a warning to future customers.
The inspection occurred on 3/3/24, but we didn't move in until June 1. The home was completely unoccupied during the time in between, and none of the home's systems were in use. The following issues literally started days after we moved in, and they were all issues that should have been flagged during the home inspection.
Inadequate inspection of our roof:
The bedroom ceiling started to come down due to water entry points from a poorly patched area of the roof. Based on subsequent assessments, we learned that the materials to patch the roof were incorrect for the job and that a leak was eventual. Mr. Einhorn was unable to fly his drone over the roof, so he eyeballed it and missed this concern. Despite there being a period of time between the inspection and the roof leak, a thorough examination would have revealed the substandard roof repair and its risk of dysfunction. We had to completely redo half of the roof where the patch was because other areas of concern were identified.
Poor inspection of HVAC system
Issue 1:We found that our AC system was completely non-functional due to there being no wired connections of both indoor and outdoor units, as well as the thermostats. Had he performed the required operational test on the system, this would have been discovered. Though ambient temperature and time of year can impact the ability to do certain tests, according to the standards and best practices of home inspection, there is quite a list of operational tests he could have performed to make sure the unit was actually functioning. He did nothing.
Issue 2: GAS LEAK--That same day we learned of the AC issue, the HVAC repairman also identified a gas leak due to substandard piping installation from the boiler. This is a serious safety hazard that put us at risk, and it should have been identified during the home inspection.
While our real estate attorney sent a formal letter of concern to Mr. Einhorn, he dismissed our claims, citing the time-lapse between the inspection and our move-in date, noting that anything could have happened in this period. However, we strongly contest this notion. The home was unoccupied during this time, and the issues we discovered emerged immediately upon our occupancy and use of the home's systems. This timing strongly suggests that these problems existed at the time of inspection and should have been identified by a thorough and competent inspection.
These oversights have cost us almost $9000 in unexpected repairs and caused significant stress and inconvenience. Had these issues been identified during the inspection, we could have negotiated repairs or credits with the seller before purchase.
My advice: I strongly advise that you thoroughly research your state's home inspector guidelines and discuss them in detail with any inspector they're considering hiring. They vary state by state and can be quite vague. You need to be extra vigilant and informed. In addition to reviewing your state's guidelines, you can also view best practices set by the American Society of Home Inspectors and the International Association of Certified home inspectors. Don't make the same mistake - protect your investment by ensuring your inspector conducts a truly comprehensive examination of your potential home. read more