TORONTO -- An Ontario family who was forced to move out of their new home when they discovered it was infested with toxic black mould will be able to afford a rebuild after the provinces home warranty program stepped in.

In June 2018, Bridget Austin, her husband Mike, and their two young daughters moved from Grimsby, Ont. into what they believed would be their dream home in Port Sydney, Ont., located about a two-hour drive north of Toronto.

However, within the first few weeks of living in the home, the couples two young daughters developed consistent fevers and one of them was diagnosed with strep throat.

Soon after, the family uncovered what appeared to be mould lurking beneath their floorboards when they were renovating the kitchen. They also found the fungus growing in the basement ceiling, behind the baseboards, and even in the cold air return.

A specialist confirmed their suspicions after taking samples from the home. The results revealed the home was infested with stachybotrys, or toxic black mould, and it was unsafe to live in.

They basically deemed our house a tear-down, Bridget Austin told CTVNews.ca in June. They said that there is no amount of remediation that can be done to fix this home.

After they moved into a rental unit in nearby Huntsville, Austin said they learned the home was not as new as they were led to believe. Neighbours in Port Sydney said construction on the home had started in 2006 not 2016 as the Austins were told.

According to neighbours, the partially completed home had sat for years exposed to the elements without any siding.

Bridget Austin said their insurance denied them coverage because the mould was present in the home before they bought it. She said they had a home inspection completed before the sale, but the mould wasnt discovered then.

With little other recourse, the Austins filed a lawsuit against the builder accusing him of covering up the mould in order to sell the home.

CTVNews.ca has attempted to contact the builder, but he has not responded to requests for comment.

In the ensuing months, the family struggled to make ends meet as they paid rent and utilities for their current home while they also paid the mortgage, utilities, and property taxes on the house with the mould. Even the $8,000 in donations they received from a GoFundMe campaign werent enough to cover their expenses, Austin said.

By November, Bridget Austin said they were only a month or two away from declaring bankruptcy.

Wed pretty much be losing everything, she said on Saturday. We would have lost our property had we claimed bankruptcy.

'A MIRACLE'

Finally in early November, the Austin family received a piece of good news.

Tarion Warranty Corporation, a private, non-profit organization created by the Ontario government in the 1970s to regulate builders and protect homebuyers, told the Austins they had accepted their warranty claim.

Once we became aware of the situation, we did an investigation and determined that the home was under warranty, Melanie Kearns, director of strategic communications for Tarion, said in an emailed statement to CTVNews.ca.

Mould claims of the extent seen in their house are pretty rare, but when they happen they are serious. Ensuring a home is fit for habitation is part of the builders warranty. In this case the builder has refused to remedy the situation so we have stepped in to work with the family directly.

Austin said the home warranty organization launched an investigation and fast-tracked their case after CTV News reported the story in June.

While Tarion wouldnt disclose the extent or form of compensation, Bridget Austin said they were told they would receive the maximum payout of $300,000.

Were ecstatic. Were so thrilled, she said. Its a miracle, really. Them stepping up and helping us when were at rock bottom and have nowhere else to turn.

She added that Tarion determined the cost to fix the home would be about the same as tearing it down and rebuilding. She said they decided to rebuild so they could be sure the mould wouldnt return and to avoid any lingering stigma associated with the home should they try to sell it in the future.

Everybody knows about the mould so we would never even be able to turn around, even if it was remediated, to sell it, she said. Youd be stuck in this mould toxin-ridden home.

While the $300,000 should be enough to cover the costs of demolishing the house and rebuilding the main portion, Austin said they were quoted $475,000 to complete the project.

For example, Austin said they had a 600-square-foot garage they wont be able to rebuild right away. She said they hope to recover the outstanding funds from the pending lawsuit.

The family has, however, received generous donations from local businesses in the community. Austin said they have been given a brand new HVAC system, flooring offered at cost and discounts on excavation and electrical work.

Austin said they plan to begin construction in the spring. And while the home will be the same square footage as the old one, she said it wont resemble it.

That to me would just be like a nightmare walking back into it every day, she said. It would just be a constant reminder of what we went through.

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Family who bought mould-infested 'dream home' to receive $300K for rebuild - CTV News

Home >Learning Center >Information for Homeowners >What is a Home Warranty

A home warranty is a contract covering repairs and replacements on systems and appliances in your home, usually for a period of one year.

Homeowners warranties are designed to protect your home's appliances and systems from breakdowns caused by normal wear and tear. Homeowners insurance pays for damages and loss caused by covered perils like fire and weather damage, but it won't help you if your washing machine simply breaks down.

A home warranty will cover your home's crucial systems and appliances, as long as they are in working order when the contract is entered into with the warranty company. Make sure you have reviewed your contract and coverage before you need it.

Make sure you're clear on:

When purchasing, consider premium and optional coverage to customize the plan to fit your needs. For example, you may want coverage for your second refrigerator or an outdoor pool. These are not typically covered by a standard home warranty.

This is a small fee the homeowner pays to have the service provider come to the home to diagnose a problem. This fee covers the visit and the amount is clearly stated on every contract.

Not all breakdowns are covered. Our contract spells out, section by section, what is covered in each plan and option and what is not. You can view our sample contracts online under our Costs and Coverage areas. Our customer service team is also available to walk you through the coverage details and answer your questions.

Home appliance coverage depends upon the plan you pick and the state you live in. Our home warranty plans can be customized to meet your home's appliances needs.

Homeowners can file a claim online 24 hours a day. Claims can also be phoned in to our customer service representatives. HWA takes service requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

A home warranty can help to minimize post-sale conflict when selling your home by adding an Home Warranty of America home warranty to your transaction. When the unexpected happens, HWA's got you covered.

Gain peace of mind when purchasing a new house, with a home warranty plan from Home Warranty of America. When your appliances break down you'll be protected!

A home warranty from HWA provides security against the unexpected expenses of inevitable home repairs. Whether you're buying, selling, or already in your home, we have a plan to fit your needs!

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What is a Home Warranty? - Facts for Homeowners | Home ...

A home warranty can provide peace of mind. The last thing a home buyer wants to worry about after closing is what could possibly break or malfunction in her new home. Since that can cover a multitude of items and systems, for peace of mind, it's a good idea to get a home protection plan. It's especially a good idea to obtain a home warranty if you're a first-time home buyer with no experience maintaining a home.

Now, whether the seller pays for the home protection plan and home warranty coverage or whether the buyer pays for it, will depend on your local customs. It varies. In many locales, it's normal for a seller to pay for the coverage because it's a seller benefit. Why? Because then the buyer won't be calling the seller after closing if something breaks. Many real estate agents will also give buyers a home warranty as a gift at closing.

They are fairly inexpensive, typically ranging from $300 to $500, depending on coverage. Home warranty companies sometimes run special sales and either discount policy prices or offer additional coverage for the same price. The policies are prepaid for a year in advance, at which time they expire and can be renewed by the homeowner at a slightly higher fee.

Although specific plans provide for specific types of coverage, most operate in a similar manner and contain common verbiage.

Because all plans differ, you will want to ask specifically what is covered. Ask your real estate agent if upgrades are available. Pay close attention to whether the home warranty company will pay for repairs to make certain types of systems or appliances compliant with new regulations.

Sometimes a service provider will deny a claim. If that happens or if you are unhappy with the service provided, call your real estate agent and complain. Your real estate agent, if she has a good working relationship with the representative from the home warranty company that is covering your home, well, she can seek resolution for you. Agents all over the country might be very upset at this suggestion, but it works. If my client calls me with a problem, I call my home warranty rep, and she eventually finds a way to work out a solution acceptable to all the parties involved.

In short, don't take "no" for an answer! Call your real estate agent. Your agent might have leverage.

This is the thing that upsets a lot of buyers after closing when they are denied services for a repair. Sometimes it can seem like the company is actively looking for a way not to reimburse the homeowner, and that assumption, at times, can be accurate.

Because the coverage for a home warranty plan can vary from state to state and from policy to policy, ask to see a sample copy of a policy before you commit. You will find some homeowners swear by a home warranty plan and others loathe them.

At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, CalBRE #00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.

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Home Warranty Plans and How They Work - The Balance

The legal definition of a home warranty, as designated by the Cornell Legal Information Institute, is a service contract that covers a major housing systemfor example, plumbing or electrical wiringfor a set period of time from the date a house is sold. These contracts protect homeowners from the high cost of unexpected appliance breakdowns and system failures. With a home warranty, youll be covered whether your refrigerator stops running or your plumbing stops up and that can save you both money and frustration. Home warranties are service contracts that promise prompt, effective service for problems with your covered home appliances and systems. They offer protection not just for your home, but for your budget and time. A home warranty covers systems and appliances within the home, that suffer from degradation over time and prolonged use. The extent of coverage is determined by the policyholder. Customization is possible, for the plan best suited for your home. A typical plan covers:

If youd like more extensive coverage, you can opt for a more comprehensive plan. A Total Plan from Choice Home Warranty includes all of the above as well as your:

You can even customize your plan to include additional coverage for other systems in your home. This personalization lets you to build a plan thats exactly what you need for your home. Some of the optional add-ons you can select include coverage for:

Tailor your warranty to include coverage for the systems that matter most. If youre concerned about the age or reliability of particular parts of your home, you can build a plan that protects those elements. If your system needs extensive repairs or a full replacement, your warranty can then offer all the coverage you need for the incident, so a potential disaster becomes a minor addition to your to-do list thanks to the convenience of your home warranty.

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What is a Home Warranty? Costs, Benefits & Coverage

Buying a home is a big investment, and maintaining it can be expensive especially when it comes to repairing or replacing major appliances and home systems such as your air conditioner or heating unit, dishwasher or microwave. That's where an HMS Home Warranty steps in to provide affordable coverage for mechanical failures of major home systems and appliances. And while homeowners insurance covers loss from theft and disasters, it doesn't cover costly equipment failure.

An HMS Home Warranty protects you against the high cost of repairing and replacing the systems and appliances you use the most, such as the air conditioner and heater, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, oven, washer, dryer and more.

Whether you're buying or selling a home, an HMS Home Warranty is an excellent investment. If you're selling a home, the last thing you want to do is shell out big bucks if a system or appliance stops working. And if you're buying a home or you already own your home, it's nice to know you're protected from expensive repair and replacement costs.

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HMS National | The Leading Provider in Home Warranty Plans ...

Sarah L.

Homeowner

Mattoon, IL

I am so grateful for your service. I am a single mother and my water heater went out and you and the company that did the service went above and beyond during the coldest days that year! Kudos to you and your team!

Sarah L.

Homeowner

Mattoon, IL

Matt

JT's Appliance Repair

Bloomington, IL

We have been servicing Home Warranty customers since 2003 and could not be more pleased with our relationship. We have been in business for over 30 years and have worked with many home warranty companies. They are the best to work with by far. Their service personnel are honest, professional, and very competent. And we never have had to wait for extended periods of time on the phone in order to be assisted in our efforts to service their customers.

Matt

JT's Appliance Repair

Bloomington, IL

Alison G.

Homeowner

Columbia, IL

Our pool pump stopped working and I expected it to be a lengthy ordeal for replacement through the warranty. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly Home Warranty worked with the technician, and we had a new pump within a couple of days. By quickly resolving the issue, our pool chemicals were able to stay in balance.

Alison G.

Homeowner

Columbia, IL

David

Homeowner

Normal, IL

I can't say enough good things about my experience with this company!! EVERYONE I spoke to at Home Warranty wasprompt, courteous, and respectful. I highly recommend this company!

David H

Homeowner

Normal, IL

Anne L.

Homeowner

Gering, NE

This was a very stressful situation and "you" folks made it to where I didn't really have to worry at all. I really appreciate it.

Anne L.

Homeowner

Gering, NE

Jana W.

Homeowner

Morgantown, WV

Our experience was AWESOME. They told me who to call in the area; I called them and they had a new water heater in for me the next day. Only paid my deductible and the haul away fee.

Angie V.

Realtor

Mankato, MN

Kris V.

Homeowner

Nicholasville, KY

The claims process was simple and we were satisfied with the results...if our future claims go as smoothly as this one did, you will be in good hands with Home Warranty, Inc.

Kris V.

Homeowner

Nicholasville, KY

Denny

Homeowner

Iowa City, IA

Warranty reps rapidly coordinated technical support to help restore our malfunctioning furnace on Christmas Eve. Thanks to one and all!

Denny

Homeowner

Iowa City, IA

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Home Warranty?

Americas Preferred Home Warranty is dedicated to helping families lessen the burden of unexpected expenses by paying towards the repair or replacement of any covered appliance or home system that malfunctions under normal conditions of use. A homewarranty can protect you in case of a major failure within your home; such as with kitchen appliances, plumbing, furnace, air conditioning, septic, roof, water heater, trash compactor, water well pump, attic and exhaust fans, electrical systems and more. Regular maintenance is essential for keeping a house functioning, but occasionally a malfunction can occur that requires repairs or replacement to restore the situation. Your Americas Preferred Home Warranty agreement will assist with the cost of large, unexpected repairs required when any covered systems fail due to normal wear and tear.

Our home warranty agreement covers a range of property types including new construction, multi-family units, and condos. We are the only company, among the nations leading home warranty companies, that allows you to choose your own contractor for all covered repair work.

Americas Preferred provides quality coverage to properties across the United States of America. Gain peace of mind in knowing you are protected against the unexpected failure of major systems within your home. Real estate professionals understand the importance of protecting your assets for the future.Our team currently works with customers in AL, AK, AR, AZ, CO, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, & WV.

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Home Warranty | America's Preferred Home Warranty

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NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- Another customer has come forward to FOX59, saying he'd like the state to take action against a home warranty company.

Amnon Sarig, a real estate broker, said he bought multiple plans with Choice Home Warranty for his customers. His company, Carmel Estates, helps investors buy properties and at first, he said he had a good experience.

"Astove broke. I called them, they sent somebody, fixed it within an hour (for) 50 bucks," Sarig said.

Then a much bigger item broke: an air conditioning unit. Sarig said he expected CHW to cover the unit, but that didn't happen.

"They called me and said its broken because it is a pre-existing condition," Sarig said. "(We went) back and forth, back and forth."

Sarig said eventually, he sued the company and obtained a $4,000 judgment in an Indiana court, since the company did not respond or show up for hearings. He told FOX59 that CHW had yet to pay that judgment.

"I called them about payment and they said, 'Dont call us, well call you,' basically," Sarig said.

Sarig said he saw our initial report about a Choice Home Warranty complaint, in which Carmel homeowner Sushil Guragain also said he couldn't get the company to pay for his broke air conditioner.

"I wanted to make others aware of this situation, because I know there are a lot of people like me that are looking for a home warranty," Guragain said.

After FOX59 got involved, the company offered to settle with Guragain by buying him out of his contract. According to Guragain, the two parted ways.

Choice Home Warranty is based in New Jersey and in 2014, that state sued the company, eventually settling for more than $700,000. As part of that settlement, the company agreed to revise its business practices.

The Indiana Attorney General's Office sent FOX59 a list of complaints: since 2015, 19 customers have filed complaints against Choice Home Warranty.

Guragain and Sarig both said they'd like to see the state take action.

"I hope the state Attorney General of Indiana will show them the door out of Indiana," Sarig said.

A spokesperson for the Indiana Attorney General said the office could not confirm or deny whether it was considering any action, and does not discuss possible litigation.

A Choice Home Warranty representative sent FOX59 the following statement:

Choice Home Warranty fields over a million calls annually, with the commitment to deliver world class customer service. We were unaware of any pending litigation. We will reach out to Mr. Sarig in an effort to resolve.

Continue reading here:
19 Hoosiers file complaints against home warranty company in two years - Fox 59

Most licensed contractors are talented, honest, hardworking and financially responsible. However, home improvement is a top source of consumer complaints nationwide. Remember, youre the boss and your goal is to find the best match for your remodeling project. The best way to find a contractor is a referral from a satisfied client. Even with a referral, we recommend you still conduct a formal interview process. Its important to take the time to make a list of questions to ask all contractors that youre considering hiring for your home remodeling project.

Are you licensed and insured?

Always make sure the company you are considering is properly licensed.You can check if the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) licenses a home improvement contractor by clicking here. Any contractor performing home improvement work costing more than $200 must have a DCA license to operate legally in New York City.

Make sure the company you are considering carries general liability insurance. This is the insurance that protectsyourhome from damage or negligence of the contractor, his employees or any sub-contractors he hires. You should ask for a copy of their insurance certificate. Be sure to check the expiration date. Its a good idea to call the issuing company to verify their insurance is in force.

Make sure they carry workers compensation insurance. It protects you from liability if a worker is injured while on your property. Be aware that if the contractor doesnt carry workers compensation coverage, you will be liable for any injuries suffered by the contractor or any of his employees on your property.

Do you guarantee your work?

This is one of the most forgotten questions for customers. You wouldnt buy a car without a warranty would you? Never accept a verbal warranty ofIf something breaks, dont worry, Ill fix it. Always insist on a warranty in writing. The warranty should clearly spell out what is covered and what is not and how long the warranty is good for. A one-year warranty is the minimum you should expect.

Do you have references?

A good contractor will be happy to provide you with written references. One of the best ways to gauge a companys abilities is by talking to their past customers. Ask them how well the company met their promises, did they deliver on time, and most importantly would you hire them again or recommend them to others? Ask them what they like the most about working with them and what they could have improved upon. Also ask for pictures of their work; before and after shots offer the best perspective.

Ask questions about how they work

We cant stress how important this information can be to you,ask questions such as how do they perform their work, what time do they start, how will you protect my carpets, how will the trash and debris be handled, do you work straight through a project? How often do you communicate with your customers as the job progresses? The answers to these questions will give you a clear picture of what type of contractor you are dealing with.

How many projects like mine have you completed in the past year?

Your contractor should have experience in the type of remodeling project you want donenot just contracting experience. The more experience a contractor has and the more they specialize in the work you need done, the better off you will be. Many contractors dabble in anything that comes their way and never develop expert expertise in what they are doing.

Tiles Unlimited, voted Best Tile Store in the 2017 Best of the Boro competition, has hundreds of licensed and insured contractors as clients. While we do not perform contracting services, we can offer you the names of several contractors that you can put through your interview process through our recently launched Meet the Contractor program. Only contractors who are licensed and insured and have excellent client references can be part of the program. Check back often as we add new contractors monthly.

Originally posted here:
Here are some questions you should ask if you are looking to hire a contractor - QNS.com

by: Todd UlrichUpdated: Aug 23, 2017 - 11:24 PM

ORLANDO,Fla. - Several customers called Action 9 literally hot under the collar about their home warranty company. They claim it left them without AC for days, even weeks after they called for warranty repairs.

It was 90 degrees inside their homes and the AC system was torn apart on the garage floor.

For a Kissimmee couple, it was day 32 without air conditioning and they blamed their home warranty company. I think you have to suffer a heat stroke before they consider it an emergency, said Rodney Mason.

He bought an American Home Shield warranty for peace of mind. But he claims for months it sent a local AC repair contractor that kept patching, not fixing, the unit. Then it shut down and he says he's been waiting on replacement parts since July.

Mason said he was beyond frustrated, On a scale of 1 to 10, let's say a 12.

Since last year, eightAmerican Home Shield customers contacted Action 9 for help.Most were for AC repairs.

It was 92 degrees in the house, said Lourdes Silva. She said the contractor left her without AC for 12 days then charged her $700 for parts she never even got.

Have you been paid back yet? asked Action 9s Todd Ulrich.

No. I've been calling and emailing and Im still waiting, Silva responded.

Many customers who contacted Action 9 felt their AC repair was a low priority since they had a home warranty.

They thought hiring their own AC contractor could be faster and cheaper.

Should we just be paying out of pocket and not even worry about this home warranty? asked the homeowner.

Since 2014, the Florida Attorney General has 45 complaints against AHS.

After we contacted American Home Shield, it said Masons AC will be fixed tomorrowandblamed delays on a back-ordered part, and said its AC contractor promised Lourdes Silva a refund this week.

Was it peace of mind? asked Ulrich.

Not really. I was stressed, you know, we were hot, said Silva.

The company told Todd Ulrich if it fails to meet expectations, the situation will be resolved and nationwide it's paid $1.8billion in repairs and replacements.

If you just bought a house, a warranty the first year could pay off.

Overall, many consumer experts say no, better off paying as you go and picking your own repair companies.

American Home Shield's response:

"One of the delays in resolving this matter was due to a backorder from the needed factory OEM coil to repair his unit. This is not an AHS issue but a manufacturer delay.

The contractor looked all over the nation to try and find this specific coil but it was not available, and we could not use any other factory OEM coil because it would invalidate his manufacturer warranty that is still in place on this unit.

Our home warranties do not cover expenses associated with gaining access to lines that run throughout his home for this repair. However, as a gesture of goodwill we are going to pay for those expenses.

The customer did request to change vendors through this process, which added an additional delay to service.

Our contractor has taken the appropriate steps to ensure his unit has no issues, such as offering to run several diagnostic tests. The customer initially declined and then later requested that tests be performed."

Information on contractors and service:

Contractor must meet a number of criteria before being approved to service American Home customers, including background checks. In addition, we regularly review every contractor to ensure they are meeting our quality and performance standards. Customer feedback is extremely important factor in how we manage our network.

Over the past five years, we have responded to more than 16 million service requests and have paid more than $1.8 billion in repairs and replacements on behalf of our customers.

As the largest home warranty company in the nation, we receive and pay more in claims than any other provider in the country.

At American Home Shield, we take great pride in providing quality service and valuable protection to our customers and if we fail to meet these expectations, we work to do the right thing and ensure any situation is properly resolved.

We regret the inconvenience that Mr. Mason experienced and have an appointment scheduled tomorrow to resolve this matter. There are elements that are not covered under his contract; however, as a gesture of goodwill, we will pay those expenses on his behalf.

American Home Shield regularly reviews every contractor to ensure they are meeting our quality and performance standards. We actively work to resolve customer concerns and to understand why and where breakdowns may occur in the service journey, so that we can continue to improve the services we provide to our customers.

2017 Cox Media Group.

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Action 9 investigates home warranty company - WFTV Orlando