MARYLAND HOME SPECIALIST INC

I made the mistake of booking an inspection with Maryland Home Specialist without thoroughly checking Angie's list and so did not see the previous negative feedback for this company. The inspector who runs this company is named William Horne. The company advertises on its website that they do a very through inspection, including the roof. When I called to arrange the house inspection I explained that the house to be inspected was being sold "as-is" at a foreclosure auction and that I therefore required a very thorough inspection. Despite thoroughly explaining this situation to Mr. Horne, he arrived at the house without an extension ladder and therefore with no means of getting on to the roof. This was all the more troubling because I had spoken to Mr. Horne's wife on the morning of the inspection to remind Mr. Horne that he would need to bring a ladder, and he confirmed that he had received my message! At first Mr. Horne tried to convince me that a roof inspection was not required. I explained that the house was around 20 years old and that the roof appeared to be damaged in some places and so an inspection was essential. Mr. Horne agreed to leave and come back with a ladder later in the day. I stayed at the house and waited for Mr. Horne to come back. When I did not hear back from him after an hour I called. Mr. Horne told me that he did not wish to come back, which I found extremely unprofessional.

Mr. Horne is a decent human being, but he needs to be a little more focused on his work. We were buying our 1st home (a 1972 Cape Cod) and his inspection was what we would rely on to make decision on making an offer. I think that if one is doing an inspection, you would want referrals from the buyers eventually. Mr. Horne first made the comment "if you were not here, I could finish the inspection in about 15 minutes, not an hour". Observation, he looked over items fairly quickly. Almost too quick to a buyer who is not an inspector. He tested items in a way that he would carelessly brake things off and did not care. I do know that inspectors can not guarantee their work, but they are aware that quality observance of items is a must. We were not in our house but three days, and our toilets did not flush ($900) and our AC unit did not even work ($3700). When I called Mr. Horne, he did not understand why I would call him out of concern. I do not want others to experience this neglect.