Here is our situatuon. We bought our first home in December of 1999 using an FHA 203k construction loan because the house needed work. To make a long story short. We were required by the bank and the loan program to hire an independant inspector (not a city inspector) whose job was to sign off on each step of the work process when it was done and then money was released to the contractor. Well, I had a number of concerns regarding the quality of the work of the contractor (who by the way was refered by my not to be mentioned national lender, one of the largest). The inspector assured me he knew what he was doing and that the contractor’s (no where to be found and out of business) work was correct and he signed off as did I because he said it was ok.
The largest problem was we had to rebuild the complete north foundation wall. I told the inspector again and again my concerns and finally decided to fire my contractor based on common sense that the work he was doing was not correct. The independant inspector kept telling me that he would suggest not firing him and suggested I let him finish the job. However, I went ahead and fired him.
Over the past 10 years since the job was completed, my $70,000-80,000 foundation wall and other items have proven to be done the wrong way and our expensive foundation wall leaks and have gotton so bad we had over 2 feet of water after our last rain in the basement. Over the years, our house, due to the water damage and water leaks at multiple places has created mold everywhere in our 2 story home. Some of it we can see and some we can smell. We have a duplex that was turned into a single family home and the water problem on the north side has created mold all the way on the opposite side of the house on the second level. In other words its not just in the basement. The challenge: I have a family of six of which all of us have been experiencing the following:
Constant Headaches (Sometimes Migraines)
Nose Bleeds
Feelings of Constant Fatigue
Breathing Disorders
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting- my son has been doing this for a year or so and we can never find out why becuase he is never sick afterwards
Skin Rashes
Neurological & Nervous Disorders
Sudden Asthma Attacks or Breathing Disorders
Walking pneomonia
Chronic Sinus Infections
Chronic Bronchitis and loss of voice due to respitory issues and sneezing
Pain in the Joints and Muscles
Because of our health issues, my doctor has been asking me for the past 3-4 years, “Are you sure you don’t have mold in your house?” It’s amazing, we go up to northern Minnesota to vacation and we have none of these issues and within 2-6 hours, sometimes sooner, when we get back to our house my son and I experience more than half of the items above. I have a professional mold inspector coming this next week.
Questions:
1. What should we do? Leave the house? I don’t know where we would go with a family of 6
2. Even though its been 10 years since the contractor completed the job does anyone think I would have a chance of winning a lawsuit against the inspection company and lender since it was their job to protect me from something like this?
3. Friends, family, and even the mold inspector advised me to pursue legal help. That was my last thought as it seems to be an overwhelming thing to have to sue someone. Has anyone had success taking this route and did they win their case? I am not a strong pronet of suing, however my wife and 4 children ages 7-14 are now my main priority.
4. We would sure appreciate any input anyone has in regards to what direction we should take and let us know who we should contact. We live in Minnesota in the Twin Cities.
3 comments