Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/27/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I hired Signature Home Inspections to do a mold assessment at my home based on the fact that he claimed to be IAC2 certified. Even stating in his assessment report that "The Limited Mold Inspection is performed by an IAC2-certified mold inspector". Sylvan also used these certifications on his website and each report he has provided to me.
  
  On 8/19/2022 he completed a mold remediation clearance report at the end of the remediation project I had hired another contractor to complete. He created a false report stating "I certify that based on the visual, procedural and analytical evaluation, the mold contamination identified for this project has been remediated as outlined in the previously sent Mold Report and Remediation Plan." He wrote this despite the fact that there was still mold visually present in my basement perpendicular to the block walls treated by the remediation contractor and a moldy vent pipe/contaminated gloves (used for remediation) left in my attic - a picture of which he included in his own report.
  
  After he created his false report I reached out to ********** to confirm his certification. They informed me that his membership was not valid and that he was wrongfully using these logos on his website and reports. He then continued to wrongfully use these logos despite ********** informing him he could not.
  
  His false advertising and false report are both direct violations of NYS Home Inspectors Code of Ethics.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/30/2023

  I initially performed a mold assessment for Ms ******* in August 2021.  Ms ******* did not attempt her remediation project until the following year as was advised by two different remediation companies that the assessment was outdated and would have to be performed again as conditions can change.  I returned to do another assessment in June 2022 and advised Ms ******* there would be another service for the trip to her house, and she agreed.  After the second assessment was performed and the remediation completed, I returned for the final follow up to ensure the mold was remediated in her attic crawlspace and basement. 

  It appears as if she then decided that I shouldn't have charged her for the second trip as not much changed in the assessment.  Then she filed a complaint with the NY State Dept of Labor saying I ignored debris in the attic and she observed additional mold in the perimeter trench around the foundation. I explained to her that the mold in the trench has been treated but it's not recommended to have encapsulation in the trench as its prevents proper drainage.  She insisted and had the remediation company return to perform what she requested.  The NY State Dept of Labor advised her that I followed all protocols and the issue was finalized and dismissed.

  
  

  Ms ******* also then advised that I was false advertising since I was not a member of ***********.  I tried several time to call her and she declined to take or return calls.  To advise my form of payment had changed and not updated on their website, therefore it temporarily removes my name and company info from their website until payment info was updated.  Which was updated when I realized there was an issue.

  
  

  I have attached a screen shot from their website showing I am an active member, the association certifications.  My home inspector/mold assessment licenses are valid in NY State until 2025.

  
  

  If you require any other additional information, please feel free to contact me.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/03/2023

  I have submitted a complaint to the NYS Licensing Department as well.  The responses regarding his false certificate use to the BBB continue to be untrue.   At the time that Sylvan created his report visible mold was still present in my home.  His report stated that the work area was free from visible mold when it was not.  My pictures are enough proof.The remediation contractor returned 5 days after Sylvan falsely cleared the project to "remediate" the mold that was left behind.  They encapsulated it in paint. Just because the mold has since been "remediated" does not negate the fact that Sylvan created a false report and cleared a project when it should not have been.  The contractor then returned and remediated the mold with no containment in place.  Only spreading the mold and chemicals used to encapsulate it throughout my home.  I am not paying for testing to prove that there is still mold in my home because the inspector I hired to do just that is a liar.I will continue filing my complaints with every state agency that has jurisdiction.  The BBB will now be included in those complaints.  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/07/2023

  As per Ms *******'s request, a refund will be issued in the amount of $325.00 due to non-satisfaction and not because of failure to perform or having proper licensing.Please expect the refund to be processed in 5-7days.