PAYNE HOME INSPECTIONS

We had a 10am Saturday appointment, and he didn't arrive until 10:45am. He called around 10:15am stating that he couldn't find his keys and was running late. When he did arrive, he said that on his way driving to the house, he realized he forgot his toolbox keys on his truck and had to go back home. He seemed very personable, apologized profusely, and assured me that he will do a thorough inspection despite the late start. I had a short timeframe to get the inspection done over the weekend and did not ask to reschedule; I was okay with waiting for him to come back. Prior to making the appointment, he agreed to have the report by that following Monday, end of day, which was the stipulation. If he couldn't make the deadline, then I would have appreciated him telling me so, and I would have found someone else to do the job. (more on this later) He didn't start the home inspection until just before 12pm. Yes, almost two hours of my realtor and I waiting in the vacant home. But he ASSURED me he will be able to get everything done before he goes to his afternoon appointment (which was at 2pm). He also assured me that he will work on the report over the weekend and have it to me by our previously agreed time (Monday, close of day). Well, to make a long story short, he rushed what should have been a 2.5hr/3 hr inspection (on 2800sq ft home) into 1.5 hrs and left by 1:30pm so he could get to his next appointment on time. He promised that the short timeframe did not compromise the inspection, and never suggested a need to inspect the house again. I must mention that during the inspection, he was ill prepared as his camera "was dying," and the inspection required taking pictures. On Monday, my realtor followed up with him, and he stated that he was working on the report and would have it to us by 7pm. This was okay, as we allowed a buffer period. Come Tuesday morning, no email, no report. My realtor called him at 7:30am Tuesday. He responded that he was still working on it and would have it to us by noon. Again, this was still okay, however, he was pushing it. All in all, I didn't get the report until THURSDAY 4PM. We needed to make a decision on Wednesday! The whole time we went back and forth, with my realtor copying me on emails and literally sending me HOURLY text message updates about how she has tried to reach him and either no answer, or, his response being "I am working on it." I also reached out to him, and he didn't even respond to me. He is very unprofessional and unresponsive. He promised it Tuesday by noon, and then again by 5pm. He promised it again for Wednesday morning. He promised it again "in a couple of hours." He promised it "tonight"; "will be in your email before you wake up!" First thing Thursday morning he said "in an hour"...it came to a point where I didn't think he was going to do it. His excuses were that he was busy, had appointments, or that the report was "taking a long time." AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. He was very prompt to send the invoice at the same time as the report! Like I said, I would rather a vendor tell me "no" they can't meet the timeline, then make a promise and not keep it. Up until this point though, I thought, "at least I am getting a good inspection done." (Boy, was I wrong!) Upon receipt of the report, I immediately reached out to him on several occasions for $100 off the invoice. No response. Wouldn't pick up my calls. Wouldn't return a message, and wouldn't respond to my texts. My realtor also reached out to him at least 3 times. Ignored calls, ignored our texts, and ignored emails. I ended up purchasing the home (but didn't move in for a couple of weeks) and after paying the invoice in full at closing (which I should have never done), I continued to reach out to him asking for the $100 back. No response. doesn't respond to texts on his personal cell phone (except when he was scheduling the job!). He took my money and ran! After being in the home for several months, I have come to find out he missed several major issues! His inspection was of poor quality. Some of those issues were found in the first week-like WASHER/DRYER HOOK UP DOESN'T WORK, NO HOT WATER (except for 1 minute's worth-long enough for a hasty inspector). After discovering this, I have continued to reach out to Payne Inspections for a FULL REFUND instead of $100 off. Again, no response. I will be reporting this business to the BBB.

Micah was on-time and pleasant. He didn't waste time with socializing, but was friendly and open. He took time to explain everything and answered all our "first homeowner" questions.