HomeTeam Inspection Services Mitchell Rothenberg Irresponsible, Defensive, Disgusting Attitude Tampa, Florida

We had a defective tube seperate from the back of our commode, shooting 1/4 inch of water into the surrounding rooms. The plumber stated the set up was defective and improperly installed, and that it wasn't even up to state code for plumbing fixtures. Upon this discover, I called HomeTeam. My phone call was returned by a defensive owner, who, upon
learning the price to repair, stated the plumber "was screwing me" and that I could make the repair myself with a "$4 piece" from a home improvement store.

 After making my claim that it was something that should have been noted, he told me to "Take some responsibility as a
homeowner"- which is utterly ridiculous, as I HAD taken that responsibility in seeking a home inspection before moving into our house, and any repairs needed would be negotiated through the previous homeowner. His report stated clearly "no visual defects observed" with the plumbing, but a gerry-rig and not up to state code set up did not register as a visual defect? It's laughable to think i was being told to take some responsibility and here he was, squirreling around to find an
out and not standing by the inspection report. He was rude and stand-offish, so defensive that it made it all the more obvious this slip was his company responsibility because for no other reason can I think of that anyone would get so uppity with a compliant. I am not one to get rude, but I had to muster up a bit of an attitude myself to make him even listen. Now, I'm wary we have other issues waiting to happen, and am currently seeking out a licensed home inspector to re-inspect our
home. I can only thank my lucky stars we were home at the time of the leak.

I forgot to stipulate that my whole issue was that a defect was not seeming to be recognized as a defect, since our report said "no visual defects", when in fact this was a defect. Instead I was yelled at and did not take well to the language being used nor the entire tone of the conversation, which I interpreted as "it's your problem, not ours", when the only thing I was trying to convey was that a defect had been found that wasn't recognized in the inspection. I don't think I was treated fairly, with any respect nor was any useful advice offered other than to fix the plumbing myself, and a plumber I am not- that's another improper installation waiting to happen down the road. The flinging of responsibility baffled me as well, especially since what was written in the report turned out to not be accurate, as accounted for by a certified, licensed plumber. As a homeowner, I took the responsibility to pay the plumber's rate to fix the problem, also took all necessary measures to dry out our home with the renting of fans and a dehumidifier.

The HomeTeam Inspection Service is the largest inspection company here in Tampa Bay. We have completed close to 30,000 inspections and never had a complaint on rip-off and we have an excellent rating with the Better Business Bureau. Customer service and professionalism is very important to us. I remember speaking to this buyer and she was a little bit confused about what we do. She had also purchased a home warranty company. I tried explaining to her that the home inspection is not a code inspection. I did tell her that she now owns the home and it is her responsibility to make repairs, not the home inspection company.

In addition, we reported in our written report..."The home was occupied with furniture and stored items that made some wall surfaces, windows, electrical receptacles, under sink plumbing traps, closets, etc. not accessible for inspection. Our inspectors are not allowed to move furniture or personal belongings." so it is possible that were not able to view this particular connection.

We did find numerous defects in this house when this inspection was performed last year with our 3 man inspection team.  I apologize if she thought my response was defensive but sometimes a strong clarification of the facts can come across that way.