Indiana Home Inspection Services Inc.

"This reviewer is an unfortunate example of the primary reason we encourage our clients to purchase termite/WDI inspection services from us. Identification of wood destroying organisms is specifically listed as an item that the IPLA (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency) deems as beyond the responsibility of the Home Inspector, "(2) Licenses are not required to determine any of the following: (K) The presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to, wood-destroying organisms " This is why we offer wood destroying insect inspections as an additional service for an additional fee. When this service is specifically contracted for then we have the ability to work with a client in the event that something is discovered after closing by the homeowner. Although, this is not a guarantee that we will be able to discover all instances of wood destroying insects. Due to the nature of termites, the fact that they live below ground or concealed in moist conditions, can, in some cases make them virtually undiscoverable. To further complicate this situation, it is also possible and likely that in some instances, home sellers will attempt to cover affected areas with touch ups or personal items; with or without being conscious that the damage they are concealing is termite. In this specific instance, regarding the reviewer and her partner, they did not contract with us to provide an inspection for wood destroying insects. Identification of wood destroying insects is explicitly excluded, unless specifically contracted for, in our inspection agreement that is signed by all contracted parties for which we provide inspection services. Furthermore, our standard inspection contract requires a client to notify us if they find something that they believe we missed during the course of the home inspection before making any significant changes or alterations to the affected area. This is called the right to re-inspect and allows us, or our representative, the opportunity to [Member Information Removed] the area in its original condition and to attempt to make an impartial assessment. The reviewer did not allow us this opportunity, which is considered a breach of the contract. At the time of this complaint, the reviewer and her partner were in the process of remodeling the interior of the house and had removed the interior floor coverings and the interior base trim throughout the house. During this process is when they discovered termite damage. After this point, they proceeded to remove all of the drywall in the master bedroom, and only then, approx. a week later, contacted us with their complaint. Even with all of the previous conditions stated, we still offered a refund of the reviewers inspection fee and the fee paid for the radon test when we returned to the property to meet with her partner's mother. She declined through email, stating that she felt it was our responsibility to pay approx. $1100 for a termite treatment. She also left open her end of the claim implying that she may consider us to be responsible for any expense associated with her current situation. We have had no further contact with the reviewer or her partner. The claims made against our company by this reviewer are false. She states that we have some type of contractual obligation to refund her inspection fee; we do not. It is also concerning to us that Angie's List adamantly refuses to review the content of a review for false statements against a vendor. Furthermore, Angie's List states that they will "flag" a vendor who brings legal action against a reviewer who posts false information."