Author name: Kloc Curtis

What We Look For (And What We Don’t): How We Use Thermal Imaging During Inspections Most problems don’t wear a name tag. They hide behind drywall, in ceilings, under insulation, or inside electrical panels. That’s where my thermal camera comes in. It doesn’t give X-ray vision—but it does let me see temperature anomalies that can be signs of water intrusion, missing insulation, or overheating electrical components. And yes, I scan the whole house—inside and out. How Thermal Imaging Helps Me Spot Issues Early Here’s what I use the thermal camera for: Water leaks behind walls or ceilings – Moisture usually reads colder than the surrounding surface. If we ran water earlier, I’m now looking for pooling or seepage behind finishes. Missing or uneven insulation – Especially around attic hatches, vaulted ceilings, or exterior-facing walls. Cold or hot zones in these areas jump out on screen. Electrical problems – A breaker running hotter than the others? An outlet that’s glowing when nothing’s plugged in? That’s a clue we might have a loose connection or overload. HVAC duct leakage – Cool or warm air showing up behind walls or ceilings where it shouldn’t be? That could point to leaky or disconnected ducts. What I’m Looking For—And What I’m Not ✅ I’m looking for: unusual hot or cold spots that don’t match the surroundings, particularly around plumbing lines, roof edges, ceilings, windows, and breaker panels. ❌ I’m not diagnosing: the exact source of every anomaly. I don’t drill holes, cut drywall, or make promises—if I see something concerning, I recommend a qualified pro to investigate further. Why I Scan After Running Plumbing Fixtures Here’s the sequence: I test sinks, tubs, and showers earlier in the inspection. By the time I do the thermal scan, any slow leaks should have made themselves known. That cold outline around the base of a wall? Could be a hidden pipe drip. The streak down from a toilet upstairs? Might be a seal leak. The camera helps me catch what your eyes can’t see—and your wallet doesn’t want to discover post-move-in. FAQs: Thermal Imaging in a Home Inspection What is thermal imaging, exactly? It’s a way of seeing temperature differences in surfaces. My thermal camera creates a color-coded map of heat variation—blue for cool, red/yellow for hot. It helps reveal moisture, heat, and air movement issues that aren’t visible normally. Do all inspectors use thermal cameras? No. Many don’t. It requires training and extra time. At Inspections Over Coffee, we believe it’s one of the best tools to protect the buyer, so we include it in every inspection. Can thermal cameras see through walls? Nope. They don’t X-ray anything. They show surface temperature variations that can suggest something behind the wall is colder (wet), hotter (electrical), or less insulated than it should be. Can thermal imaging confirm a leak? Not by itself. It can indicate a probable moisture issue, but confirming it may require moisture meters, cutting into drywall, or a specialty contractor’s help. → Next up: Post 29: Whole-House Observations — What Doesn’t Fit Into One System ← Previously: Post 27: The Fireplace and Chimney — What’s in Scope for Your Inspection Curious what it’s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?

Week 52 – Would I Do It Again? My Final Thoughts on Year One Here’s the truth: I didn’t know how this would go when I started. A year ago, I had more fears than answers. I was trading a steady paycheck for an unknown path. I worried about screwing up inspections, finding clients, handling risk, managing growth. I wasn’t sure if I could sell myself, let alone build something sustainable. And now? 52 weeks later? I’ve done hundreds of Realtor meetings. I’ve inspected homes that scared me, thrilled me, and made me question if I was ready—then proved that I was. I’ve hired help. Turned clients into raving fans. Took calls from lawyers and kept my cool. Got my first 5-star review—and my first not-so-5-star one. Learned about mold, radon, marketing funnels, team leadership, and tax strategy. Even taught at real estate offices when I thought I had nothing to say. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Not because it was easy—but because it was worth it. Because I built something. Not just a business. Not just income. But a rhythm, a brand, a reputation, a life. Something my family’s proud of. Something I can scale. Something I can sell, or license, or one day pass on. Here’s what I’d tell the me from Week 0: Trust the system. It’s better than anything you’d build from scratch. Talk to Curt more than you think you should. You’re not bothering him. He’s in your corner. Keep showing up. You won’t always feel confident—but you’ll get competent. And fast. Keep saying the same thing 1,000 times to 1,000 Realtors. It’s their first time hearing it, every time. Celebrate the moments that feel small now. Your kid recognizing a house you inspected will matter more than any invoice. And finally, what I know now: I wasn’t just building a business. I was building myself. Into someone who can lead. Who can grow. Who can weather slow weeks and still show up at happy hour with a smile. Who knows what to say when someone says, “I’ve heard of you.” So would I do it again? Yes. A thousand times yes. Because this franchise changed my life—and gave me the tools to do the same for others. ← Catch the tax lessons here: Week 51: Preparing to File Taxes as a Business Owner for the First Time If you’re ready to start your own home inspection franchise, know this: it’s hard. It’s humbling. And it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

Week 51 – Preparing to File Taxes as a Business Owner for the First Time This week, I met the accountant—and got hit with reality. Being your own boss comes with freedom, sure. But when tax season rolls around? It also comes with paperwork. And complexity. And yes, some sticker shock when you see what it costs to have someone prepare everything properly. Here’s what I learned: Preparing taxes as a business owner is definitely more expensive than when I was just a W-2 employee. But it’s also way more interesting. Because for the first time, I got to see how many of the things I use every day—mileage, marketing, software, tools, even coffee meetings—were legitimate business expenses. Write-offs that surprised me: My CRM subscription My branded polos Fuel and vehicle maintenance Continuing education and certification fees Even the snacks I keep in the car for long inspection days What my accountant told me: “Your first year is about building good habits. Next year will be easier—because you’ll know what to track, how to categorize it, and what to save for later.” This wasn’t just paperwork. It was proof: Proof that I’ve built something real. That I’ve made investments, not just purchases. That I’ve kept the wheels turning long enough to see a full financial cycle. And yes, it was a little stressful—but also super validating. What I’ll keep doing: Track everything. Categorize as I go. Stay organized. And remember: this is the cost of running a business the right way. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything. → Final thoughts coming soon: Week 52: Would I Do It Again? My Final Thoughts on Year One ← Just getting started? Here’s what I told a brand-new owner: Week 50: What I Told a New Franchisee on Their First Day If you’re ready to take full ownership with a home inspection franchise, remember: taxes are a headache—but the freedom is worth it.

Week 50 – What I Told a New Franchisee on Their First Day This week, I had a moment I never expected 11 months ago: I sat down with a brand-new franchisee. First day. Nervous energy. That mix of excitement and “What the hell did I just sign up for?” written all over their face. And suddenly, I was the one giving advice. Here’s what I told them: “Follow the plan. It’s not always glamorous, but it works. Talk to more Realtors than you think you need to. Say the same thing 1,000 times. And be nice to everyone—even when you’re tired, or unsure, or feel like you’re not getting anywhere.” Then I said the most important thing: “Call Curt. Call him more than you think you should. You’ll feel like you’re bugging him, but trust me—he wants you to succeed. He’s not just the founder, he’s your coach, your lifeline, your shortcut around 100 dumb mistakes.” And it was surreal. Because I remember being that person. I remember wondering if I’d make it. Wondering if I had what it takes. Wondering if all the systems and tools and branding would really work. And now? I’m living proof that it does. What I wish someone had told me back then: It gets easier. But you have to earn the ease through consistency. Don’t reinvent the wheel. The road is paved—just walk it. Your calendar reflects your future. Fill it with meetings, not just tasks. What I’ll keep doing: Passing it forward. Lifting up the next wave of owners. And remembering what it felt like to be new—so I can make someone else’s journey just a little smoother. → Almost done: Week 51: Preparing to File Taxes as a Business Owner for the First Time ← Want to hear what my family thinks about this journey? Week 49: What My Family Thinks Now (After 11 Months of Hustle) Want to launch a home inspection franchise with a proven roadmap and someone in your corner? Start here—and call Curt.

Week 49 – What My Family Thinks Now (After 11 Months of Hustle) It hit me this week how much has changed—not just for me, but for all of us. We were driving through a neighborhood when my kid pointed out the window and said, “Daddy, you inspected that house, right?” I laughed… then got a little quiet. Because yeah—I had. And the fact that they remembered? That meant something. My wife knows more about this business than I did in month two. She knows agent names. She recognizes the company lingo. She can tell when I’m prepped for a report debrief or when I’ve had a tough inspection day. She doesn’t just ask, “How was work?” anymore—she asks, “Was that a new Realtor or one of your regulars?” It’s wild to think how far we’ve come: This time last year, I was still working my corporate job. Punching a clock. Sitting in meetings. Wondering if I’d ever really get to build something of my own. Now, our family car has inspection gear in the trunk, our dinner table conversations include client stories, and our weekends sometimes include site visits. This isn’t just my journey—it’s become our lifestyle. My kids talk about inspections like it’s a normal part of life. My wife feels like a true partner in the business—not just a cheerleader. And me? I feel like the kind of role model I wanted to become. Why this means more than any revenue number: Building this franchise was about freedom—but also about impact. I didn’t want to just be gone all the time. I wanted to build something my family could see, touch, and be proud of. And now, when they talk about “our business,” I know I’ve done that. What I’ll keep doing: Sharing the wins and lessons. Letting them in. Showing them what commitment looks like. Because they’ve been in this with me since day one—even if they didn’t know the words for it yet. → Almost there: Week 50: What I Told a New Franchisee on Their First Day ← Want to know what my worst mistake was this year? Week 48: The Worst Decision I Made This Year If you want to build a home inspection franchise your whole family can be proud of—it starts with one brave decision.

Week 48 – The Worst Decision I Made This Year This post is a little humbling—but here goes. The worst decision I made all year? A full-page print ad in the local high school football program. Cost me over a thousand bucks. And brought in exactly… zero calls. Why did I do it? Honestly? Ego. I wanted to feel legit. I wanted to see my logo next to the “Go Panthers!” banner and think, “I’ve made it.” I imagined parents flipping through the program and saying, “Hey, we should call this guy.” But they didn’t. Because that’s not how marketing works anymore. Looking back, I can see it clearly: This wasn’t a strategic decision. It was emotional. I wanted to feel like I was “everywhere”—but I wasn’t thinking about where my actual clients were looking. And they weren’t flipping through print ads between halftime nachos. It didn’t just cost money—it cost momentum: Time I could’ve spent meeting agents Money I could’ve put into Google reviews or sponsored posts Headspace I burned on something that didn’t move the needle The turning point? Curt told me early on: “Stick to what works. Don’t fall for the shiny stuff.” I heard him. But I guess I had to learn it the expensive way. What I’ve learned since: Good marketing is repeatable, trackable, and client-focused. It’s not about seeing your face on a page—it’s about building relationships, providing value, and showing up where your ideal customer actually is. I’ve grown since then. And my decisions now come from data, not dopamine. What I’ll do differently moving forward: Run every idea through this filter: Does this serve my strategy, or my ego? If it’s the second one, it’s a no. → Up next: Week 49: What My Family Thinks Now (After 11 Months of Hustle) ← Want to know the best thing I did all year? Read: Week 47: The Best Advice I Got This Year Thinking about where to invest in a home inspection franchise? Skip the print ad. Start with strategy—and humility.

Week 47 – The Best Advice I Got This Year? Read This Book. The most impactful thing I did all year wasn’t an inspection. It was reading a book. A few months back, during one of our franchise calls, Curt said something simple: “If you haven’t read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, start there.” So I did. And I haven’t looked at leadership—or my own responsibility—the same way since. The core message? Own everything. No excuses. No passing the buck. That means if something doesn’t go right in the field, I don’t blame the weather, the tools, or the client. If something’s confusing in the process, I didn’t explain it clearly enough. If an agent is frustrated, I missed a chance to align expectations. If the schedule’s off, the CRM was wrong, or a teammate’s slipping—it’s on me to fix it. And it doesn’t stop at business: I started thinking about extreme ownership with my wife. My kids. The people who matter most. How I show up after a long day. How I communicate stress. How I balance ambition with presence. It’s all connected. And it’s all mine to own. Here’s what’s changed since I internalized it: More clarity: I give better directions. Set clearer expectations. Follow up more consistently. Less friction: When problems pop up, I don’t take them personally. I solve them. More trust: My team, my clients, and even my family see that I’m accountable. That builds belief. What Curt said that stuck: “If you take ownership of the mission, you’ll never wait to be rescued. You’ll lead from the front—even on the days you’re tired.” He was right. That book rewired my brain. Now I ask: “What could I have done better?” before I ever say, “That’s not my fault.” What I’ll keep doing: Leading with clarity. Listening without defensiveness. Owning results—good, bad, or messy. Because the moment I stopped blaming and started owning? Everything leveled up. → Next up: Week 48: The Worst Decision I Made This Year ← Need a reminder of how to grow others, not just yourself? Revisit: Week 46: Am I Ready to Add a Second Unit or License a Team Member? If you’re building a home inspection franchise, read the book. Then live the principle. Because nothing changes your business faster than taking full ownership of everything inside it.

Week 46 – Am I Ready to Add a Second Unit or License a Team Member? This week, the conversation shifted—and it wasn’t started by me. One of my inspectors pulled me aside after a job. We’d been working together for a few months, and he said something I didn’t expect: “Hey, I love what we’re building here. But I’ve been thinking… what would it take to lead a team? Or maybe even start my own franchise one day?” Honestly, I was flattered—and a little freaked out. This guy’s solid. He’s great with clients, sharp on the systems, and hungry to grow. But the idea of duplicating myself—of helping someone else step into ownership or leadership—felt like a whole new level. It made me realize that my business isn’t just a vehicle for my own growth. It might be a launchpad for others, too. This is what real scale starts to look like: Training leaders, not just assistants Thinking about territory expansion Exploring the idea of licensing internally And the best part? I’m not making it up from scratch. The Inspections Over Coffee franchise has a model for this. A roadmap for bringing team members into ownership, with guardrails, support, and win-win structure. Here’s what Curt reminded me: “If someone on your team wants to grow, that’s a sign you’re building something worth staying in. But make sure you’ve got the foundation, the systems, and the vision to support that growth. Leadership is about replication, not just delegation.” What I’m doing now: Having real conversations. Looking at the numbers. Thinking about what a second unit—or a licensed internal partner—would look like. And being honest about what I still need to learn to lead at that level. What I’ll keep doing: Investing in my people. Building systems that scale. And remembering: the business isn’t just about me anymore. It’s becoming something bigger. And that’s both thrilling—and a little scary—in the best way. → Next up: Week 47: The Best Advice I Got This Year ← See how I realized I’d built something valuable: Week 45: I’ve Built a Business. Not Just a Job. Want to build a home inspection franchise that creates leaders—not just jobs? This model shows you how.

Week 45 – I’ve Built a Business. Not Just a Job. This week, a casual happy hour turned into a massive mindset shift: I was having drinks with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while. We were catching up—talking life, family, business—and I mentioned I had just crossed six figures in revenue for the year. He paused. Then said, “You know you didn’t just build income, right? You built an asset.” That word hit different. I’ve been so deep in the day-to-day—marketing, inspections, calls, systems—that I hadn’t stopped to zoom out. I hadn’t realized what I was sitting on: a business that generates cash, has real branding, repeat clients, process documentation, and a local reputation. Something that could be valued. Something that could be sold. We started doing the napkin math: $100k+ in booked revenue. A growing Google review base and search ranking. Established systems and CRM data. Franchise-level support and branding. He said, “I bet your business is already worth $200,000—maybe more.” That blew me away. It wasn’t just a hustle anymore. This wasn’t a side gig. This was equity. This was wealth building. And I had built it from zero—with no prior industry experience—just by following the model and refusing to quit. This is what makes the franchise model so powerful: I didn’t have to guess. I didn’t have to make 100 mistakes to learn the ropes. The roadmap was already there. I just had to drive it with intention. The brand, the systems, the marketing—they did the heavy lifting. I just showed up every day and executed. What I’m thinking about now: This isn’t just about getting to $150k or $200k in annual income. This is about building something that has value. A company with processes, a reputation, and transferability. Something I could expand, license, or even exit someday. What I’ll keep doing: Act like the CEO, not just the operator. Think about systems, value creation, and long-term strategy. Because now that I know I’ve built a business—not just a job—I’m playing a much bigger game. → Next up: Week 46: Am I Ready to Add a Second Unit or License a Team Member? ← Want to know what this risk felt like? Week 44: Reflecting on Risk — Why This Still Feels Brave If you’re ready to build a home inspection franchise that actually becomes an asset, not just a paycheck—this is the blueprint.

Week 44 – Reflecting on Risk: Why This Still Feels Brave This week, I took a moment to slow down—and felt the weight of it all. I’ve been running hard. Inspections, Realtor meetings, late-night emails, reports, systems. It’s working. The reviews are rolling in. The schedule’s filling up. The numbers are trending up and to the right. But even with all that… I had a quiet moment this week that brought me back to center. It started with a conversation over dinner: My wife and I were sitting at the kitchen table. She asked how things were going, and for once, I didn’t just rattle off the metrics. I paused. Then said something I hadn’t admitted out loud yet: “This still feels like the bravest thing I’ve ever done.” She smiled. Then said something I’ll never forget: “It should. You walked away from certainty—and built something from scratch. But now look at it. You’re not just working. You’re becoming.” That hit hard. Because she’s right. This isn’t just about inspections. It’s about identity. About choosing to bet on myself, even when it felt terrifying. About showing our kids what it looks like to take a chance, work hard, and keep showing up. Some days I still wonder: Was this the right move? There are no guarantees. No steady paycheck. No “boss” to tell me what to do. But when I look at what I’ve built—the reputation, the referrals, the client relationships, the systems—I see the compound effect of courage. Not perfection. Just consistency and belief, stacked day after day. And this franchise gave me the blueprint: Curt’s mentorship when I felt lost. Templates, tools, and training so I didn’t have to start from zero. A community of people who get it—and want to grow too. What I know now, 44 weeks in: This business wasn’t just a career shift. It was a life decision. One I’d make again—even on the hard days. Because while fear still pops up, it’s no longer the driver. That seat’s taken—by purpose. → Next up: Week 45: I’ve Built a Business. Not Just a Job. ← Catch the week I realized the town already knew my name: Week 43: My Local Reputation is Doing the Talking Now Thinking about making a leap of your own? Learn more about the home inspection franchise that helped me do it with courage—and community.