The Home Inspectors Group

We have always had drafts in our house and ice dams on our eves. Upon investigating the cause of major water damage from an accumulation of ice in our attic one winter a home renovator informed us that our attic is not properly insulated. After hearing about the Home Winterproofing Program we applied early this past summer. Our home energy audit was scheduled in late August. I had to be away that day. I really wish I could have been present for that inspection. The home inspector performed the audit beginning with a draft test and as far as I knew then carried out the inspection as it should have been. I doubt he could have accessed the main attic however as there was a book case in the way beneath the attic hatch. He informed my wife that he could not discuss the results of the inspection and that we would receive a new thermostat, a CO detector and a taps kit at a later date when the re-insulating work was to be done. He had her sign a release that he said was an agreement not to sell these items. She remarked that she did not have her glasses so could not read it. However, she signed it anyway. Right afterward my wife called me and explained that the inspection was done and we would be receiving these items (the CO detector and the taps kit) when the insulating work was to be done. We received our assessment by email a full month later explaining that no insulating work would be done after all. I called the Home Inspectors Group office promptly. The agent explained that re-insulating would not yield enough energy savings to to justify the cost of the work and that as long as there is at least 4-5 inches of attic insulation it is considered adequate. I have never heard of a layer that thin being considered adequate anywhere at any time. When I asked how and when we would receive our CO detector and taps kit the agent informed me then that we were given these at the time of the inspection. I infuriated my wife by actually searching the house for these. I tried contacting the home inspector and after quite a few missed calls we finally connected. On a conference call he actually told my wife that he physically gave her the items (she had told me immediately after the inspection that these would be delivered at a later date - imagine being told that you were handed something after waiting for it to be delivered to you). I thought then that there must be a copy of the signed release (I needed to read whatever it was we had 'agreed' to). I thought it must have been left here - there was no copy. The original was taken after the inspection. I had to request an emailed copy from the agent. Throughout my inquiries she repeatedly (emphasis on repeatedly) told me that they issue only one set per household as though she thought we were being untruthful and trying to get a second set. I only wanted the one set that we were supposed to have received. The Home Inspectors Group and the energy consulting firm doubtless got paid for their time. We got the disruption of the home inspection that resulted in absolutely no help with our attic and the humiliation of being treated that way. I may have forgotten to thank them for their efforts.