Phoenix Home Inspections

The home inspection had inaccurate information on it. After the inspection there was a hole in the ceiling of the home. When I contacted the inspector trying to have a conversation about my concerns he cut me off. He yelled at me and every time I spoke he yelled louder. at one point I said the word water damage and he went bonkers. He accused me of lying to the potential buyer and I had not even finished my sentance. He had no Idea what I was trying to say. He refuses to repair the damage. This is my senior citzen mother's home on a limited budget. I will fix the hole. I just want everyone to know this man can be verbally abusive.

Tom Reinert Owner and President (an sole employee) of Phoenix Home Inspections (http://phoenixazhomeinsp…) 480-232-2351 was recommend by a realtor for a Pre-Sale home inspection. He showed up on time and seemed pleasant enough but that is where it ended. He was hired to go through the home and point out things that would/could be an issue during an inspection from a potential buyer of my home. Remember...I was sitting in the living room of the house and was available to answer any questions, provide any information he needed etc. Tom stated the "windows of my house did not open", I was confused as I was certain I did not hear him right, but I did. I pointed out to him they were the old style "crank windows", I promptly got a crank out of a drawer and opened one for him. He then went back to his report and stated, "the windows don't open". His report then stated, "No smoke detectors in any room" this was a major safety violation! Umm...hello, I have a hard wired smoke detectors throughout my house and the fire marshal and Arizona State Statute say I am totally compliant with all safety codes. Had he known the law, he would have known that this may be a requirement in "commercial buildings" but not residential. He then stated, "no damper in the cooler", well here we go, the cooler was on that day and I don't know of anyone who successfully operates a cooler with the damper in. Then the kicker, two lines in a circuit breaker, I called him on that one sighting "tandem breakers", he stated, "there is no such thing". Dear lord..someone call Square D and let them know the don't manufacture such a thing and if they do Tom stated, "they are not legal". Square D Corporation, did you know you are violating the law all over the world?!!! The drip system on my outdoor potted plants was on, a minimal amount of water overfilled the pots so Tom sighted, "Poor Drainage", my carpet people were over and knocked over a bucket of water in the garage, Tom stated, "leaky hose". Trust me, I can go on and on but I think you get the point. Not only did he write this, when I sent him an email complaining he called and tried to defend it, at which point I had to give him the definition of Ignorant and Stupid so he would know the difference. Clearly Tom falls into the stupid as he defends what he clearly does not know. He told me "a home inspector will inspect your home when you are not there, this was the experience". I don't remember paying for "the experience" nor asking for "the experience". He could have asked for the information and later explained the items he asked for should be available for a post sale inspection. All I can say is if you hire him to inspect a home you are thinking about buying, don't walk away when you get a report that scares you to death, it is inaccurate. I don't think you want an inaccurate inspector when you are asking a seller to make repairs on items that are not broke, trust me...the seller will tell you "no sale". I'm not even going to say he did not find items that did need repair, he did and I do appreciate that but after you see major inaccuracies I am now worried I am going to pay large "service calls" and have companies come out and tell me there is "no problem". I did tell Tom I wanted $100.00 back, after a very nasty phone call he agreed. I am fair and will pay a person for their time, but I am also fair in letting others know that he is unfamiliar with home requirements even though he touts around he was a contractor. What he does not say is he was a contractor in Chicago 15 years ago...I think things have changed in 15 years. An update...on 11/1/2012 I have one of Phoenix's top electrical companies come in and go over the report. The contractor looked at me and said, "this guy is stupid" and has no clue what the safety and code requirements are for a 53 year old home. He suggested that many Home Inspection people like to give a bad pre-sale review hopeful to panic the client, they do this without cause and although no one knows for sure may have another agenda. Tomorrow the mechanical and pool contractor, cannot wait to hear their comments. So far we the actual Licensed contractor, Fire Marshal and security/smoke/fire alarm company say he is "misinformed". Hmmm...although Tom thought I was "wrong" on all counts I cannot get anyone to disagree with me on his inaccuracies. Mechanical contractor looked at the cooler and said it is is "fantastic shape" and does not need a "cookie sheet" as it automatically closes when it is not in use...hmm don't you think an inspector shoud know this stuff before he writes a review on it! Then, I had to call an appliance company because my washing machine would not go through the rinse cycle. This inspector checked the water valves and did not turn my cold water back on all the way. Darn good thing I was determined to observe and trouble shoot it, paying a service fee for something this idiot did would really have made sparks fly. Tom pointed out and "environmental issue" in the house. I had an environmental engineer look at the picture and provide input as to the best route to take, he stated in a 53 year old home it would be uncommon not to find this, what Tom suggested would have caused more problems and leaving everything alone is what "environmental laws" state. In fact I was told houses of quality had this feature..again, Tom is an idiot and does not know what he is talking about. Next is contractor and second opinion on electrical work, update to come. Oh, btw, Tom was quick to cash the check, but I still dont have my $100.00 I insisted I get back and he agreed to.