Bucks Home Inspector Defrauded Customers, More Victims Expected: DA

The owner of a home inspection company that does business in Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties has been arrested for allegedly defrauding nearly 140 home buyers, the Montgomery County District Attorney announced Thursday.

Joseph T. Michalski, owner of Sherlock Homes Inspection Services, was billing customers for testing that was never completed, District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said. Michalski was selling home inspection services that included water, termite and radon testing even though he was not properly certified, authorities allege.

In total, Michalski took $18,000 from 138 area home buyers, Steele said. Authorities expect there are additional victims.

Michalski “put these victims in jeopardy by falsely performing radon and water tests that could impact their health and the health of their families,” Steele said. “Unfortunately, the purchasers went ahead and bought the home based upon the results the defendant provided, and they now may be living in a home with unhealthy levels of radon, which is linked to lung cancer, or with well water that is unsafe.”

Anyone who hired Sherlock Homes Inspection Services should contact Detective Joe Kelly at 610-278-3368.