Embarrassed Construction Professionals Engage in Heated Dispute with Popular TikTok Home Inspector
In a fiery clash between a Phoenix-based home inspector, Cy Porter, and one of the nation's largest homebuilders, Taylor Morrison, tensions have hit the boiling point. Known for his candid, no-nonsense approach, Porter has garnered a significant online following for exposing shoddy craftsmanship by homebuilders.
This feud escalated when Taylor Morrison, a multibillion-dollar homebuilder, took umbrage with Porter's exposés and reported him to the Arizona Board of Technical Registration. The complaint accused Porter of being a bully and requested the board to restrain him from posting damaging content.
In his scrutinizing videos, which span platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, Porter punctures the façade of newly constructed homes, unveiling a plethora of hidden defects such as rickety brick walls, improperly installed tiles, and hazardous electrical wiring. His viral videos have earned him an impressive following of over 200,000 subscribers, and his most popular video on TikTok alone boasts over 4 million views.
The homebuilder's ire stems from Porter's lax approach to identifying specific construction companies responsible for the substandard work. In many videos, he ostensibly refuses to reveal the culprits, even when they are identifiable by signs displayed prominently near the defective sites. This has resulted in numerous confrontations with builders and a host of critics.
The Arizona Board of Technical Registration recently notified Porter of an ongoing investigation into his conduct. According to the complaint, as revealed by a local FOX news affiliate, Porter allegedly misrepresents facts, employs fearmongering tactics, conceals essential information, resorts to cyberbullying, and at times uses sexually derogatory language toward female professionals[2].
Porter has remained tight-lipped regarding the investigation, declining Gizmodo's request for comment. In response to the complaint, Taylor Morrison sought to halt Porter's social media postings and asked for the removal of his existing videos[6].
The construction giant emphasized its commitment to quality and transparency, stating that homeowners are welcome to engage third-party inspectors prior to closing on a home[7]. In a statement to Gizmodo, Taylor Morrison reiterated its desire for all inspectors to maintain professional standards and uphold integrity.
Despite the controversy, Porter maintains his popularity, boasting a booking schedule full for the next 14 months and no plans to slow down his negative reviews of subpar construction[8].
Update 7/11/24 at 2:40pm: This story has been updated to include comments from Taylor Morrison.
As for the professional conduct investigation involving Porter and Taylor Morrison, subsequent online searches did not yield specific details[9][10][11]. To obtain more precise information, one might need to reach out to relevant authorities or organizations in charge of home inspections or professional conduct investigations.
- The controversy between home inspector Cy Porter and homebuilder Taylor Morrison seems to be far from over, as Porter's booking schedule remains full for the next 14 months, indicating no signs of slowing down.
- Regardless of the ongoing investigation by the Arizona Board of Technical Registration, technology platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels continue to host Porter's exposés of hidden defects in newly constructed homes.
- Future interactions between Porter and homebuilders, including tech giants like Taylor Morrison, may be influenced by the outcome of the Arizona Board of Technical Registration's investigation into Porter's conduct.
- A potential shift in the regulation of home inspectors could be on the horizon, as complaints about Porter's alleged misrepresentation of facts, fearmongering tactics, and use of sexually derogatory language have raised concerns about professional standards in the home inspection industry.
