Armonk homeowner sues CT inspector for $6.4M

An Armonk man is suing a Connecticut home inspector for $6.4 million for allegedly failing to inspect damage-prone power lines on private property next to the home he bought.

Dominick L. Colabella accused Cronus Home Inspection and inspector Michael Colavecchio, of Wilton, Connecticut, of negligence, in a May 28 complaint filed in U.S. District Court, White Plains.

“Any reasonable home inspector would have identified that power lines running through the heavily forested private property jeopardizes power to the premises,” the complaint states.

In 2023, Colabella bought a 7.3 acre estate at 14 West Lane with a palatial 5-bedroom, 10-bath, 13,801-square-foot home, for $6.3 million.

Colabella, previously of Ridgefield, Connecticut, had used Colavecchio to inspect another property, the complaint states, and they “had developed a special and trusting relationship.”

Colabella says he needed an inspection report to decide whether to buy the house, and for negotiating the terms. He expected Colavecchio to identify potential threats to the property.

The inspection report said the electrical systems appeared to be in good overall condition, according to the lawsuit.

The report also noted several limitations. Compliance with the electrical code was not evaluated, for example, and backup generators were not tested. But the report did not specifically exclude inspection of nearby power lines.

After Colabella bought the house he discovered that electricity was dependent on power lines on an adjacent property that were  supported by old, rotted and unsafe poles, the complaint states. During bad weather tree branches could fall on the wires and disrupt electrical service.

His property has repeatedly lost power, according to the complaint, and Colabella has paid $300,000 to repair power lines on the adjacent property.

He also accused Colavecchio and Cronus Home Inspection of fraud and deceptive business practices. They allegedly failed to disclose that they are not licensed to conduct home inspections in New York, and the inspection report lists 14 West Lane as a Greenwich, Connecticut address instead of Armonk.

(The deed report filed in Westchester County lists a Greenwich mailing address for the previous owner but an Armonk address in the legal description.)

Colavecchio did not reply to an email asking for his side of the story.

Colabella is represented by White Plains attorney Lee J. Lefkowitz.