Reinspection Rip Off - Call to arms

[Russell J. Hensel]

As I was talking to a member today, I was told that they were owed a large amount of money from one of the reinspection companies. After talking to this person at length I was then notified that many people are getting ripped off by these reinspection companies.

First and foremost be aware that I do not do any of the reinspection. I have never been affiliated in any way with the reinspection company have no desire to start a reinspection company in only trying to bring issues to the forefront so that we can take care of them.

These companies do not pay the inspectors for the work that they do. They make up reasons to not pay them such as being really audited. But there is no hard proof of why the inspector isn't getting the full amount of money that is owed to them. There's no accounting, no checks and balances in when you call on the phone no one even answers the phone.

What I am asking that every inspector that is been ripped off do, is to e-mail me the details of the ways you have been ripped off by a reinspection company. The only thing that we really need is a brief explanation of what happened. But please have the official documentation and the way to back it up at hand. I'm going to try to get enough people to send this further to prove that not only does the reinspection program network is fraudulently holding money away from its inspectors and there is no checks and balances as to who gets paid for what inspection.

The e-mail address is reinspectionripoff@gmail.com

United we stand divided we fall.

[Michael J. Meeker]

Originally Posted by rhensel

As I was talking to a member today, I was told that they were owed a large amount of money from one of the reinspection companies. After talking to this person at length I was then notified that many people are getting ripped off by these reinspection companies.

No s h i t. No one saw that coming?

These companies do not pay the inspectors for the work that they do. They make up reasons to not pay them such as being really audited. But there is no hard proof of why the inspector isn't getting the full amount of money that is owed to them. There's no accounting, no checks and balances in when you call on the phone no one even answers the phone.

What did you all expect ? EASY MONEY AND HONEST INSURANCE COMPANIES

What I am asking that every inspector that is been ripped off do, is to e-mail me the details of the ways you have been ripped off by a reinspection company. The only thing that we really need is a brief explanation of what happened. But please have the official documentation and the way to back it up at hand. I'm going to try to get enough people to send this further to prove that not only does the reinspection program network is fraudulently holding money away from its inspectors and there is no checks and balances as to who gets paid for what inspection.

Awful nice of you

The e-mail address is reinspectionripoff@gmail.com

United we stand divided we fall.

Guess what with this new form the pict requuirements and the way is is phrased that is just the beginning. There are going to be a ton of pissed off clients and who do you all think they will blame?????


You guys. The ones that think this new form is great and supported it.

It is those fault who supported the new form. The insurance companies are better at winning because of the rules than most of us. That is what they do

Good luck to us all.


I am serious when I say that it is awful nice of you to try to help those out who took the bait, hook line and sinker.

[Richard Murphy]

Originally Posted by mmeeker

Guess what with this new form the pict requuirements and the way is is phrased that is just the beginning. There are going to be a ton of pissed off clients and who do you all think they will blame?????


You guys. The ones that think this new form is great and supported it.

It is those fault who supported the new form. The insurance companies are better at winning because of the rules than most of us. That is what they do

Good luck to us all.


I am serious when I say that it is awful nice of you to try to help those out who took the bait, hook line and sinker.

Can you show me a single place where one of us said that the new form is great and supported it?

[Michael J. Meeker]

I do not have the time but it is true. A great many active posters liked it and supported it with a few minor gripes.

Most except me said it was an improvement on the others. Most here supported anything that they wanted done from strictor picture requirements to the check box crap.

It is the worst form ever and the insurance companies anre going to screw a great many people clients on their discounts and inspectors on their reputations and requests for additional useless un needed material.

To bad so sad.


Anyone going to raise their prices? Guru's??????????

Yeah I do not think so.

Insurance pals would not like it huh.

[Nick Hernandez]

Originally Posted by rhensel

As I was talking to a member today, I was told that they were owed a large amount of money from one of the reinspection companies. After talking to this person at length I was then notified that many people are getting ripped off by these reinspection companies.

First and foremost be aware that I do not do any of the reinspection. I have never been affiliated in any way with the reinspection company have no desire to start a reinspection company in only trying to bring issues to the forefront so that we can take care of them.

These companies do not pay the inspectors for the work that they do. They make up reasons to not pay them such as being really audited. But there is no hard proof of why the inspector isn't getting the full amount of money that is owed to them. There's no accounting, no checks and balances in when you call on the phone no one even answers the phone.

What I am asking that every inspector that is been ripped off do, is to e-mail me the details of the ways you have been ripped off by a reinspection company. The only thing that we really need is a brief explanation of what happened. But please have the official documentation and the way to back it up at hand. I'm going to try to get enough people to send this further to prove that not only does the reinspection program network is fraudulently holding money away from its inspectors and there is no checks and balances as to who gets paid for what inspection.

The e-mail address is reinspectionripoff@gmail.com

United we stand divided we fall.

You are a good man, I tried 1 and the company wanted me to change my answers to their wishes. Can not do, as an inspector it is my inspection, my answers. Never did another. Have not done any insurance inspections since Nov/2011. The industry has become too dirty (putting it nicely)

[Brian C. Hoagland]

Originally Posted by mmeeker

I do not have the time but it is true. A great many active posters liked it and supported it with a few minor gripes.

Most except me said it was an improvement on the others.

Parts are better, parts are worse, we inspectors had NO input and the powers to be ran our lobbyist over like the proverbial snakes belly in a wagon wheel rut. I don't even believe the entire program whereby the discounts can be awarded on an individual basis should exist.

The insurance cos actuarial tables should have been adjusted based on the findings of the MSFH program but as we all know those inspections were poorly done. Fact is the inspections done after were on a percentage basis even worse. The insurance companies should pay for the inspections and the homeowners ought to pay their own inspector if they suspect fraud. The system is working backwards. The owner needs insurance, he pays the insurance company and he pays for a report from an inspector, the co. then uses the premium payment to pay for a reinspection. In essence the owner pays twice for the same thing.

[Russell J. Hensel]

please send emails to reinspectionripoff@gmail.com

Anything that is detrmental to the accomplishement of our profession properly.

Mike - I never like ANY of these forms, but if I don't do them, my competition will and take my home inspection with them!

No one ever liked the forms but were we asked about them before they were put to the comittee? We did go to Tallahassee and make our points, but if we went in scrapping the whole form they would not have listened at all.

FIRST and foremost the players in the wind mit games are the big three re-inspection companies. Lets get our ducks in row, have NACHI present the various problems, give a solution that is win/win for all and go on our merry way.

Don't fight from the outside in, fight from the inside....take our baby steps and then perform these inspection properly, accurately and professionally.

[Michael J. Meeker]

All of what you say seems to be good advice for most.

My opinion is that most just sucked up what was put in front of them because they feared worse. I did not seem to get many followers on things that I felt would cause us and clients many problems. Most of my comments and thoughts were dismissed and most tended to agree with the big 3 who in turn said whatever the insurance companies wanted them to say so they could keep on riding the gravy train.

Nothing in the form looks out for clients financial well being or inspectors safety. Matter of fact what the form says we must do to get clients discounts goes against most inspection organizations safety guidelines. Some even force us to show code violations to attempt to prove nail size and or pattern.

[John Shishilla]

I will tell you right here. I did four inspections for inspection depot. I jumped through their hoops and did as they asked(spent $1500). I told them I would do 10 inspections to start they sent me 25. Two hours from my home. I did four inspections for them, took me all day. They found faults. I tried to clarify for them. They rejected them again. After I again responded to their questions they called me a month later and asked me if I would revisit the properties on my dime.

I can tell you they change their mind hourly. Answers today are not the same tomorrow. If you try to talk to anyone you get nowhere. I never got paid.
It is my opinion that inspection depot makes their money in fees, rejecting reports, scheduling appointments for inspectors. I have heard the same complaints over and over.

One would believe that after writing an approved wind mit class I would know what I was doing. Apparently teaching the wind mit class to inspectors all around the state does not qualify me to do re-inspections. I have personally done more than 10,000 wind mits. I have trained many inspectors. I have several of the wind mit inspection manuals including the ID manual. I can read the differences in opinions in manuals.

I have always done every inspection to the best of my ability. I teach honestly and fairly without regard to rates. When people ask who they should work with in the re-inspection program, I recommend anyone but ID.

One of the biggest issues in the wind mitigation programs is inaccuracy. The re-inspection programs are not helping as much as they should. You can not compare old and new inspections(forms) but it happens all the time. They need to be more consistent and they are less consistent. You do not get quality work by paying less, expecting more and being difficult to work with.

Train the underwriters/agents to properly read a 1802 form and reject it if not proper. If the property still needs a re-inspection then pay an independent, proven inspector. Create a list of approved inspectors from approved classes. Let the home owner choose an inspector from that list. If there is still a disagreement the HO can pay for the third inspection from the same list. Complaints against a licenses should be filed if the inspections are done improperly

Currently we are inflating rates to cover improper discounts, we need a better system.

[Russell J. Hensel]

Michael I do not know of one inspector that agrees with the "big three", but you have to choose your battles and wars and this was not the arena or stage to start either of those. The good thing about these people is that they will mess up, get greedy, and violate their own contracts and that is when we get the proper and valid information. Compose it, get it to the right hands and then get the contract.

If we let them hang themselves then the door is open to do it right.

All I want is quality work the consumer can rely on and for my brothers to get paid their fair share in a timely and accurate manner. Simple!

[Michael J. Meeker]

Originally Posted by rhensel

All I want is quality work the consumer can rely on and for my brothers to get paid their fair share in a timely and accurate manner. Simple!

I wish only the best to you in this endeavor. If I come across a way I can help I will.

[Brian C. Hoagland]

Originally Posted by jshishilla

I will tell you right here. I did four inspections for inspection depot. I jumped through their hoops and did as they asked(spent $1500). I told them I would do 10 inspections to start they sent me 25. Two hours from my home. I did four inspections for them, took me all day. They found faults. I tried to clarify for them. They rejected them again. After I again responded to their questions they called me a month later and asked me if I would revisit the properties on my dime.

I can tell you they change their mind hourly. Answers today are not the same tomorrow. If you try to talk to anyone you get nowhere. I never got paid.
It is my opinion that inspection depot makes their money in fees, rejecting reports, scheduling appointments for inspectors. I have heard the same complaints over and over.

One would believe that after writing an approved wind mit class I would know what I was doing. Apparently teaching the wind mit class to inspectors all around the state does not qualify me to do re-inspections. I have personally done more than 10,000 wind mits. I have trained many inspectors. I have several of the wind mit inspection manuals including the ID manual. I can read the differences in opinions in manuals.

I have always done every inspection to the best of my ability. I teach honestly and fairly without regard to rates. When people ask who they should work with in the re-inspection program, I recommend anyone but ID.

One of the biggest issues in the wind mitigation programs is inaccuracy. The re-inspection programs are not helping as much as they should. You can not compare old and new inspections(forms) but it happens all the time. They need to be more consistent and they are less consistent. You do not get quality work by paying less, expecting more and being difficult to work with.

Train the underwriters/agents to properly read a 1802 form and reject it if not proper. If the property still needs a re-inspection then pay an independent, proven inspector. Create a list of approved inspectors from approved classes. Let the home owner choose an inspector from that list. If there is still a disagreement the HO can pay for the third inspection from the same list. Complaints against a licenses should be filed if the inspections are done improperly

Currently we are inflating rates to cover improper discounts, we need a better system.

And yet Mr. Rowan assurred me in private conversation face to face that many of these inspectors are making in excess of 2000 a week but as where because I was not a contractor I was not eligible. Wanna know who I believe? I wouldn't work for ID under the MSFH program way back when either. Funny thing I went to the same two original FSU sponsored educational seminars as a part of the MSFH supplied by the original federal grant for FLASH (federal alliance for safe homes) as Mr. Rowan. I applaud his success, I despise his deceptions.

[John Shishilla]

Originally Posted by bhoagland

And yet Mr. Rowan assurred me in private conversation face to face that many of these inspectors are making in excess of 2000 a week but as where because I was not a contractor I was not eligible. Wanna know who I believe? I wouldn't work for ID under the MSFH program way back when either. Funny thing I went to the same two original FSU sponsored educational seminars as a part of the MSFH supplied by the original federal grant for FLASH (federal alliance for safe homes) as Mr. Rowan. I applaud his success, I despise his deceptions.

I had conversation with him about Nachi doing re-inspections. The plan changed several times during the conversation. He kept the application fee. He talked to me and made $1000.00.

Not a bad business if you can get it.

[Michael J. Meeker]

I was lucky enough not to bite. I have been approached by many and about a few different ways.

Fortunately I foresaw the problems John describes because I have dealt with large companies in other ventures and know what to expect by how they plan things.

It will be an interesting year to say the least.

I think if those who are active and try to do what they consider the right thing continue to seek the advice of others in the same field we will be able to get by.

I do think the insurance companies are going to have all sorts of screwed up ideas come Feb 1st.

Please share any inside info you may come across from them and I will gladly do the same.

I personally think you should warn future customers of what they may try in the beginning or you may look like you do not know what you are doing.

To the client if the agency says you did not do something properly or the way they interpret things you look wrong. I try to point out that it is the insurance folks that have no experience, but that's just me.

I do not have the clasic the client is always right attitude but I always try to do what I believe is right.

[William C. Chandler]

If the education and experience levels were higher to obtain a HI license, ID could not rountinely slaughter new inspectors and their BS business model would fall apart. Our industry has too many unqualified people.

What we should promote is apprenticeship like property appraisers, surveyors, and septic contractors. Five years under a licensed HI to obtain a license. Every professional trade that has succeeded has done this. Too many chiropractors, must have 4 yr college; still too many, must have 6 yr college and going to 7 soon. Too many x ray techs, must have two yr degree...still too many, 2 yr degree plus 1 yr OJT...still too many, no more x ray techs, now radiographers with 4 yr degree, national license and so on.

Other thing in common for all trades which went professional and succeeded, ONLY ONE MAJOR ASSOCIATION. We have way too many associations which do nothing but compete as businesses and are not real associations which promote the profession.

Sorry, I realized I may be hijacking the thread a bit. Point is, you can't change things for the better in splinter groups.