ProTec Inspection Services

Coping over my review from Google because it shows the step by step progression of our issue with ProTec. They have lost our realtor and her broker’s business and should be held accountable. UPDATE: The saga continues. ProTec finally got back to us on posting this review and asked to work with us to resolve the issue. We used their recommendation on plumbers and the first thing they noticed was that there were some cracks in the bottom of the tub. Their own words were that if the inspector had filled even an inch of water in the tub this would have been caught. ProTec’s response was deny, deny, deny. Their inspector NEVER makes mistakes, he could never have missed this, he is INCAPABLE of missing anything and they are not to blame. The ex-owners OBVIOUSLY broke the tub post inspection. The best ProTec can do is pay for the cracks to be filled up to the cost of the inspection. We asked them to put in a new tub because as well known, fixing cracks only lasts a very short time (months, maybe couple of years). Also, when it breaks again, we will not know till so much later on and incur more water damage to the inside of the house. Seriously, SAVE YOURSELF the headache and heartache if something goes wrong, use another company. Poor inspection quality and worse after service. We bought a house after ProTec inspected it and they missed a MAJOR leak in our bathtub. The water is going into the coat closet and coming out into the basement. This is not a tiny leak, it’s pretty major. Nothing in the report and was not noticed on inspection. Everyone misses things and makes mistakes. We reached out to ProTec as per their policy and requested support. Spoke to them on Sunday, they sent a complaint form, filled form same night and attached pictures and videos as requested. We were told we would hear back on Monday, crickets. Called them, they said our claim had been escalated and would be addressed by Tuesday morning. Again, crickets. Called again, it’s 3.30pm right now and I’m being told it’s the end of their workday and I’ll hear back tomorrow. They know they messed up and are giving us the run around. My son is afraid of showers and hasn’t been bathed in 3 days because we are tub-less. Wish they would stand behind their inspection and help us out asap.

DO NOT USE!! WARNING!! The inspector failed to identify an inoperable HVAC system. The inspector provided misleading information, explicitly stating that our HVAC should last another five to ten years. Upon moving in, we discovered that the system does not even turn on! Now we have to pay tens of thousands of dollars to unexpectedly replace our system. ProTec has disavowed being responsible for checking whether a HVAC system is operable. What's the point of the inspection then?? Use another provider who you can TRUST!! That provider is NOT ProTec. In terms of professionalism, the inspector came in with his Starbucks cup, never put down his coffee as he casually sipped it, and nonchalantly looked around our house. What a waste!!!

My sister went to the inspection with the Realtor. We live in NY and were unable to attend. They did a really thorough inspection of our new home. The best thing was the full report they did. It was so thorough and covered everything they saw, gave a really thorough, easy to understand description of each problem and included photos. Could not believe how easy they made this for us. They also include concierge service which I would like to use.

Job went great

The inspection report of my old home included speculative criticisms that were financially damaging to me in its sale. The owner stated that it is "unfortunate" that buyers use inspections to negotiate, but the inspection report practically instructs them to do so, stating "many people use the inspection and report as a tool to negotiate."

The representative was very thorough and informative. The value wasn't just that he assured that my property needed no significant repairs, but also that he did a good job explaining how I should use the heating and other facilities on my property.

unknown

Pro-Tec did an excellent job on our home inspection.  Phil and Brandon spent close to five hours each on our home inspection, and left no stone unturned.  They provided a very thorough report at the end, which was helpful in our negotiation with the seller.  They also provide recall information on all major appliances.  A little pricey, but worth the added cost.

First, this was a very expensive home inspection.  In asking around, $1000 plus for a row house is unusual.  We paid about $1248. They were recommended by my Long and Foster agent.  I really regret listening to her and hiring them.
The inspector arrived a few minutes late for the appointment.  The whole appointment took less than 2 hours and was hastily done. 
1. The inspector would NOT LOOK AT THE ROOF (said three story house was too tall, and he couldn't get up there).
2. I contacted the owner about this lack of complete inspection.  He had no intention of making this right: He said that that they could come out and inspect the roof again for added charge or $250 or something.  He would charge me for the ladder rental as well as coming back out again.  
The report was long but contained a bunch of general statements (things related to houses in general, not necessarily relating to the results of the inspection).   The house was not examined with detail ("main water could not be located, please ask the owner").  I was under the impression that the home inspector would find problem areas and explain the house in detail, we did not get that.

It went great. The technician was communicative, kept me updated about traffic delays affecting arrival time. The whole process was made clear and instructions for us were provided verbally and in writing. The technician was quick and friendly.
We chose ProTec because we were impressed with their service during our home inspection. This was several years ago. They were very professional and very thorough. The technician was extremely informative as we walked through, educating us about a great deal of the workings and condition of the home.

It went really well. The guy who came out was very knowledgeable and helpful. We have not had any issues.

Mr. Chris Jackson was friendly, courteous and professional.  He got right to doing what he needed to regarding the inspection.  And as he found things, he would call us over and show us the problem and give us any explanation that was needed. He was patient with any and all questions that came from not me, but my husband and real estate agent as well. I was expecting the process would take as long as 4 hours, as I had read in other inspection reviews, but he was finish in 2 hours. His report was emailed to us the very next morning after the inspection.  So over all it was a good experience and I will gladly refer Protec to friends and neighbors!

The home inspection went fine. The only odd thing was that they didn't look at one of the air handlers saying it was up too high and they couldn't get to it.  Turns out that the air handler was not where they said it was and we are still trying to find it.  
But that isn't really the problem.  The problem is that since we purchased the home two years ago, every single appliance except for the dryer has broken.  Literally every one- the refrigerator, the stove, the dishwasher and the washing machine.  Both A/Cs have broken and need to be replaced, which they said would need to happen but not for a while longer.  And the biggest issue is that the roof, which they said was in good shape, just needed to be replaced and when they removed the shingles they found TWENTY pieces of rotted plywood.  TWENTY on a roof that the inspectors said was fine.  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen the rotted plywood, or dealt with this leaks indoors.  So, now we are paying for a new roof, all new appliances, a new electric panel and we still can't find that air handler.  I think that this company did a poor job in our inspection and if we had known about all these problems I am not sure we would have bought the house, or at least paid what we did for it.

I really like Protec.  They are very thorough.  It took them two and a half hours for the home inspection.

unknown

They were very professional, punctual, informative and easy to work with.

unknown

Excellent. Very knowledgeable and offered useful recommendations for needed repair. Even helped prioritize repairs needed to get house in good shape. I'd recommend

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It went very well; they did a good job. They came quickly and were efficient. When we called them I think they went to the house the same day, so that was nice. Their price was competitive so that's why we went with them; we liked them.

Jeff did an outstanding job. He was very thorough and explained everything as he went through the house - inside and outside. I would highly recommend ProTec - they were great!!!

3

There is no other way to describe the outstanding work that Jeff Broussard and Francois Fleurat did when they recently inspected the house we intend to buy than to say simply that it is the best I have ever encountered. My career has required a considerable amount of moving, and I have purchased six homes over the past twenty years, each time using a home inspector. Never have I seen this level of expert knowledge and meticulous attention to detail. They showed excellent judgment in prioritizing the various issues we encountered in the house so that it was possible for me to make a clear and coherent case to the seller about what needed repair or adjustment. They are both highly personable individuals and were very pleasant and professional in all of their interactions throughout the inspection. Both Francois and Jeff are a great credit to Pro-Tec. I have already told my colleagues at my office about them and about Pro-Tec, and I will recommend this company with complete assurance.

Inspection missed the most important problem and issues and is costing me thousands of dollars to repair and correct. The third-party warranty that they provide is worthless. When confronted with the problem the owner merely offered to come out and tell me what I needed to do to fix the problem - which I already know. But no compensation for the thousands of dollars I am spending fixing it. Their inspection report is so generic that it is easy for them to hide behind if you have a problem but provides nothing useful in figuring out if the home you are about to purchase is going to need immediate repairs. Please also note that Pro-Tec, at least the owner and my inspector, Chris Jackson, are NOT certified and licensed in Virginia. Virginia has a voluntary program for licensing home inspectors so it is not required unless they want to say they are certified in VA but if there is an issue you cannot go to the Commonwealth of Virginia to complain since they did not license them.
The following is a more detailed explanation of my problems with the inspection provided by Pro-Tec.
My inspection was conducted in early May. I moved in two months later. The day I moved in there was a rain storm and the basement flooded so badly that the rain went from the unfinished part of the basement more than 14 feet to the finished part of the basement soaking the carpet. I also noticed sagging waterproof paint on the cinder blocks that form the walls of the basement. I purchased a $50 moisture meter and tested the walls of the basement. Blocks 3 or 4 rows up from the floor had 66% moisture content - I have tested again when it has not rained recently and they still read at 66%. The bottom row had blocks at 99%. I don't believe Pro-Tec used a moisture meter (they claim they normally do) or they would have found the problem. Pro-Tec says it could have developed over the two months since they inspected - be serious. I don't think so.
Pro-Tec's report said and quot;Flat to negative grade near the house. Pitch slopes of soils away from foundation. Slope should fall away from the foundation at a minimum of 1and quot; per foot and extend at least 6 feet away from the foundation. We recommend a dense clay type soil for grade improvement. Failure to have the correct grade can result in a wet basement or crawlspace along with unusual settlement in a building.and quot; This is such a generic statement it is useless but they hide behind it if you have a problem. My problem area actually has a concrete patio and brick steps adjacent to it. Were they suggesting I demolish the patio to re-grade? Parts of my property have positive grade with a very good slope away from the house. The report is full of generic statements like the above so that if something goes wrong they can point to the generic statement.
Unless you want a useless, very pro realtor (they don't want you to find problems), inspection DO NOT USE this company. They miss major problems that will cost you thousands of dollars and do nothing to compensate you but instead hide behind their reports generic statements.

This is an update. In addition to the problems mentioned above (and just FYI I did not take possession of the home until July and the downspouts and gutters were not the issue) I had a normal seasonal HVAC inspection and they discovered $600 dollars in code violations that needed to be corrected. The vent for the water heater was too small for code (3and quot; v. 4and quot;) and there was a wrench attached to the gas shut off because the valve had broken off (I had noticed this after the purchase but it was in plain sight and the inspector could have easily seen it). The HVAC maintenance person said that inspectors usually catch these issues. Pro-Tec did not.

In terms of the drainage, I had a french drain installed outside the cement patio for approx. $2,000 and it has solved the problem even when we have had torrential rains. The gutters and windows/doors that Pro Tec mentioned in their response had very little to do with the flooding. Cleaning the gutters and downspouts alone produced no resolution.

They did a very good job and were very thorough. They follow up afterwards to see if I have any questions or concerns. They try to stay in touch with me and do quite a bit of follow-up. They are top shelf. Their price seemed a little expensive but when I look at the fact that I bought a $600,000 house, it was worth it. They are very knowledgeable, top of the line and on it.