HomeGuard failed to inform us of serious and obvious (to a professional inspector) health hazards present in a home that we subsequently purchased. HomeGuard's inspection revealed a number of minor repair items, but absolutely nothing that would indicate clear and present health hazards. A subsequent inspection by a different firm (I will refer to as Inspector Two) immediately discovered and reported that our home, which we purchased based on HomeGuard's inspection, is, in fact, riddled with asbestos. The configuration of the heating system is such that running the heater vents airborne asbestos directly into the living spaces. HomeGuard inspected the entire heating system and provided specific recommendations about this system, but entirely failed to mention that the system is completely contaminated with asbestos. Follow up with HomeGuard to ask why this was not included in their report only received a disclaimer that HomeGuard is not qualified to evaluate asbestos. However, this was not a case of asbestos hidden in the glue under tiles, or stuffed inside of walls, or some other difficult to reach or evaluate scenario. This contamination was so obvious that Inspector Two merely put his head into the crawlspace and immediately saw the situation. In fact, a plumber who was called in a few days later also immediately informed us of asbestos components in the house. There are two possibilities as to why HomeGuard failed to inform us of this serious health hazard. Either they truly have no idea what asbestos looks like, because they were right up in all the areas and components where it sits, or they deliberately ignored it and then carefully inserted cover-your-a** disclaimers into the final inspection report. In either case, beware of having HomeGuard inspect any home built before 1986 (asbestos production was banned in 1978, but existing stock was legally used to build until 1986). On another note - significant, although far less alarming than their absolute fail with the asbestos - the repair work that they performed subsequent to their inspection was slipshod at best. I would never, ever have gone back to them based on the quality of their repairs alone. Beware.
Description of Work: HomeGuard was retained to perform three inspections for a prospective home purchase: Home Inspection, Roof Inspection, and Pest Inspection. Subsequent to inspections HomeGuard was retained to perform recommended repairs based on their inspections.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
3.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
5.0
$660
Response from HomeGuard Inc
Our inspections are performed to ASHI standards. We are not licensed or qualified to identify the absence or presance of asbestos. That is clearly stated in thier report in several areas and also goes on to let them know based on the age of the home there is a good posability that there may be asbestos in the property and to have the approperate inspections performed if this is a concern to them. They unfortunately neglected to read the report thourghly.
Gilles D.
03/2012
5.0
home inspection
 + -1 more
The inspectors showed up right on time, were very professional and did not waste our time: they went and did their inspections while we were free to take measurements in the house. Then they toured the house to show us everything they noticed, and took the time to answer all of our questions. They spent over an hour going over everything with us. Their explanations were very good, and the written report we got was much clearer and easy to read than anything else I've seen. Andrew Clarke was our termite inspector, and Russ Hume was our Home inspector. Try to get those guys if they are available! Please note that I used the San Jose office, not their Livermore office.
Description of Work: They provided a Home Inspection, and a Termite Inspection. They offer the roof inspection for free if you take the 2 others. The Home inspector and the termite inspector arrived at the same time, and for about one hour, each went his own way and performed their inspection. Then in turn, they spent the same amount of time taking us through what they have observed and answering our questions.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
3.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$800
maha H.
10/2010
1.0
home inspection, home warranty companies
 + 0 more
I didn't like them. We have lived in the house for about a year now. We bought the one year insurance after moving in. There was a huge leak in a kitchen window during a rainstorm last winter. They didn't pick up on it that there was a leak. The person they sent out to check it out said it must have been there for a long time because there was so much damage in the wall. They didn't pick up on it and refused to admit that the damage must have been there when they inspected it the house. We had to take out the whole wall in the kitchen and repair it. They did the repair, but we had to pay for it. They refused to admit that it was a pre-existing condition when they inspected the house. There was plenty of evidence, but we were at the inspector's mercy and he just refused it. It was just terrible. I was really upset with them. The blinds were peeling on that wall from the moment we moved in. That was evidence that there was something going on. All the other blinds were perfect. There was a lot of puffiness in the wood. It must have been there before. There were termites in there because it was wet. It turned out it was the window and it was totally sealed. It was wet all the way down to the bottom. I saw the guy when he inspected the house. He shook my hands and told me not to worry and told me that they would do a good job for us. They also have a warranty service where they supposedly come in if you have a warranty for one year that you buy for $300.00 included in the price of the house. But nothing I ever called them on was ever covered by that insurance. I don't remember how much we spent for the service. It was part of the purchase of the house. They did give a feeling of confidence when they were out here inspecting, but I felt cheated. Their professionalism was okay. They didn't shout at me. They were always too calm actually. I would not recommend them at all. They showed up when they said they would. I would not use them again in the future.
Description of Work: HomeGuard came out and did the home inspection for us in January 2009. We called them out 6 months later because the kitchen wall was damaged due to a leakage.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
1.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
4.0
TODD Y.
06/2010
4.0
home inspection
 + -1 more
Had HomeGuard come out and do a Roof Inspection on a new home. I also had a home inspection going on by a different company and I had some good conversations with regards to the roof before HomeGuard came out... HomeGuard I thought did a thorough job, but just didn't give me the same level of detail that the home inspector did.
Description of Work: Had HomeGuard come out and do a roof inspection on a recently purchased home.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
5.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
$85
BRUCE T.
11/2005
4.0
garage doors
 + -1 more
GOOD. ON TIME. 8 ON SCALE FROM 1 - 10. REMOVED THE OLD ONE THEN INSTALLED NEW ONE. INSTALLED DEAD BOLT LOCK AND THE KEY WAS WORKING GOOD. THE DOOR SWINGS INWARD.
Description of Work: EXTERIOR GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT. DOOR JAM AND FOOTING, REMOVED THE OLD ONE THEN INSTALLED NEW ONE
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Service Categories
Home inspection,
Home Warranties,
Garage Doors
FAQ
HomeGuard Inc is currently rated 3 overall out of 5.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
HomeGuard Inc accepts the following forms of payment: American Express,Check,MasterCard,Visa
No, HomeGuard Inc does not offer free project estimates.