July 14, 2015 To: [removed member's name and address] RE: Response to Complaint Dear [removed member's name], We recently became aware of your dissatisfaction with the home inspection you were provided. I believe your assessment is not 100% accurate. Below I have addressed each of the statements listed in your complaint letter. Please see below: 1) 7 Hours for Inspection: This statement is true. The home was quite large and with the issues that were discovered in the home and the conversations we had about those problems the inspection took longer to complete. If you recall, [removed member's name] asked many questions during the inspection. I also did not increase my fee for the inspection due to the extra time that was spent. If you recall, I stated that if you needed to leave that was completely fine, and I would finish the inspection and notify you when I was finished. 2) Report One day late: Yes this state is true. I communicated with [removed member's name] that it was going to be one day late because, per her request, additional details were added to the report. 3) My Knowledge: I am sorry that you feel that my knowledge level was substandard; however I am a Certified Inspector, Certified Commercial Property Inspector, Certified Thermographer, Certified Mold Removal Specialist, and I have been deemed an Expert Witness in court on matters related to property conditions. As I recommended to you that you have the furnace cleaned, serviced and certified due to the amount of water/ condensation running out of the heat exchanger area because there was an issue with the unit. The reason you discovered the issues is because I recommended having the unit checked. Please see the Inspection Report Summary and the additional Clarification Letter, a copy is attached, that was drafted and emailed to [removed member's name] regarding the furnace. 4) Lack of Response: This statement is false, I responded on several occasions including emailing the report to several different email addresses because [removed member's name] was unable to locate the report. I also provided an additional clarification letter as requested and waved the fee for this letter, which she was providing the bank, as a professional curtesy. 5) Issues pointed out and say I failed: a. Furnace: As mentioned above, I recommended that you have the furnace cleaned and certified, and according to your letter this is why you called the HVAC person. Below is your statement quoted from Angie’s List: One day after closing, we had a furnace inspection - per Tim's recomendation. Turns out we need a new furnace because this one is producing dangerous levels of CO2. b. Master bathroom: I observed and noted several cracks where the interior wall and exterior wall were separating, and several areas where the shower and tub were separating from the walls. As you may recall, the upstairs master bathroom was recently remodeled. In that remodel, tile was added over the entire floor, which includes cement board, thinset mortar, tiles and grout which extended up some of the walls as well. The new shower was completely tile, and the very large 2+ person Jacuzzi tub was installed against the exterior corner. Ohio Building Code has specific Dead Load and Live Load limits in construction. With the additional weight of the tile, oversized tub, tile shower, concrete board and thinset resting over the original bay window where the header was only designed for the original bathroom the cracks and separation was located. As we mentioned in order to install a bay window a number of studs have to be removed and a header installed to help carry the weight. Given this information we recommended having a structural engineer inspect the area and certify the property. c. Cost: Our Fees are very reasonable. We charged $525 for a Home Inspection, Thermal Imaging, Mold Inspection and a Termite Inspection for a House that has 3,400 Square Feet and sold for $385,000 dollars. We actually gave you a discount, considering the number of services provided. Below is a section of the email chain between [removed member's name] and myself. Please note that what I believe is the actual reason for her unhappiness with the report was that I was unwilling to change my finding in the report as she requested. Which included asking me to change the report to say “if you could clarify that the furnace is not unsafe” because your loan was being held up. Laura Hardin’s Email Quoted on April 16, 2015 Hi Tim, We are closing on our house today... or rather were closing when the lender decided to start questioning some of the inspection notes. Can you provide an email stating that the 3 spots of mold were small and easily able to be remedied by us? We have fixed them, but they need assurance that ours wasn't a terrible issue requiring testing and such. If you can possible help me with a quick email tomorrow, Friday, 4-17, I'd be grateful. They are holding our loan. Also, if you could clarify that the furnace is not unsafe, and just has a recommended tune up. We have a guy coming to certify on Monday, but the lender is demanding proof that it's in working order. It is working and we have a scheduled service on Monday. We just need them to let us close today/tomorrow. Please call me if you have any questions. Thank you. Second Email Same Day [removed member's name] wrote: Can you also say that the little part of the roof near the chimney isn't significant and is only cosmetic? Sent from my iPhone Written by Tim Rollins April 16, 2015 in response to the above email On Apr 16, 2015, at 6:38 PM, Tim (Capstone Inspections) wrote: Hi, I will review it as well, however I only clarify or more completely explain the conditions. I will not change or minimize the condition I observed. I hope you understand. Thanks Tim Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID In addition to the email string above, below is the Clarification Letter emailed to [removed member's name] and a copy of the Summary report that was at the end of the original report. Sincerely, Tim Rollins Capstone Inspections, LLC 3664 Camaro St. Ne Canton, Ohio 44721 Clarification Report for 22134 Northwood Trail Strongsville, Ohio 44149 Date 4/17/2015 Please let this letter serve as clarification for the above referenced address. Please not below the areas that were requested clarification: Furnace: On the day of inspection the furnace was working correctly. From years of experience we have found that when there is water, either from condensation or rain, that enters the existing pipe and makes it to the furnace there are a few things that can happen over time the heat exchanger can rust, the water can damaged the electrical components, the water can rust out the structural areas of the unit, and in this case the water can run leak on to the floor which can, overtime lead to other issues. I recommended the furnace be checked and certified by a technician to verity that these things have not occurred and to correct the problem causing the excess water. Roof: The roof did was not currently leaking; however the missing shingle will need to be replaced in order for the roof to remain water tight. The small area around the chimney will need to be replaced. This area appears to be damaged and need to be replaced. We did not see any current leaking in this area; however the decking under this area was soft and bowed. Our comments and recommendations were to help prevent future leaks and water damage as part of a maintenance plan. Mold: The 3 areas of mold were small and can be cleaned by the home owner using household Hydrogen Peroxide. The total area found is under the 10 Sq. Ft. outlined by EPA as being able to be cleaned by an average home owner. I have discussed in detail with the buyers how the mold should be removed and am confident they are able to complete the job. Tim Rollins Capstone Inspections, LLC Summary Report Quoted directly from Inspection Report: INSPECTION SUMMARY: This inspection summary is our report of the limited visual inspection of the readily accessible areas of the home, in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the Pre inspection Agreement. The summary may be emailed prior to receipt of the complete report which will be delivered to you per your instruction. All sections of the complete report should be reviewed to obtain full benefit of the inspection and before close of escrow. The summary is listed below in random order and followed by general comments regarding the home’s major systems and components. The inspection and report are performed and prepared for the sole, confidential and exclusive use and possession of the client. GENERAL COMMENTS: In general the home is in good condition. There are a few areas that will need some attention. Below is a short list of items that should be addressed: Please read the entire report to get a full picture of the condition. • Gutter and downspout correct • Roof Repaired • Structural engineer for the second floor bathroom • Furnace Cleaned and certified • Exterminator for attic and insects on the brick • Open wires capped • Mold Removed • Roof Support reattached. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Tim