Author name: Kloc Curtis

What We Look For (And What We Don’t): Why Elevation Photos Matter in Your Home Inspection Report The reason I always include elevation photos in your inspection report is because a picture of every side of the house is worth way more than a thousand words. It’s not just for show—it’s about documentation, defensibility, and holding the process accountable, both to you and ourselves. Every Angle Tells Its Own Story I take wide photos of the front, rear, left, and right elevations of the property. Why? Because drainage, siding wear, paint condition, roof lines, landscaping issues—they don’t all show up from the front porch. The sun hits each side of the house differently. Water drains toward different corners. You might have pristine siding on one side and peeling paint with moisture intrusion on the other. Without a full exterior sweep, you don’t get the whole picture—literally. It’s Not Just for You—It’s for Us, Too Elevation photos are part of how we maintain quality control, especially with newer inspectors. During training, I’ll often go back and review the elevation shots. Did they catch the sagging gutter on the north side? Did they notice the grading slope to the east? It helps me coach newer team members, tighten up consistency, and spot where someone might be moving too fast. It’s also how we build trust inside the team—every inspector documents what they saw, from every angle, every time. What I’m Looking For—And What I’m Not ✅ I’m looking for: visible signs of wear, improper drainage slopes, water staining, exterior maintenance issues, unprotected wood, sagging trim, or siding movement. ❌ I’m not looking for: perfection, paint colors, or trying to match a “design standard.” I’m documenting condition, not critiquing curb appeal. I’m also not evaluating property lines or surveying the land. If a tree looks like it’s leaning over your neighbor’s fence, that might be worth calling a pro—but it’s not something I verify. I focus on what’s attached to the house, not the lot itself. Visual Evidence = Peace of Mind Let’s be real: things can go sideways after closing. Maybe a storm hits. Maybe the seller says “that hole wasn’t there before.” Elevation photos give us time-stamped, no-debate documentation of the exterior as it looked on inspection day. It protects you—and it protects us. We’ve had situations where a client reached out months later about a grading issue or siding bulge. One look at the elevation photo and we could say, “Yep, that was there,” or, “Nope, that’s new.” It’s not about blame—it’s about being able to verify what was visible when we were there. FAQs: What Elevation Photos Show (and Why They Matter) What exactly is an elevation photo? An elevation photo is a wide shot of one full side of the home—from ground to roofline—taken from a distance that allows us to capture overall condition, slope, and layout. We take photos of all four sides: front, back, left, and right. Why are these photos useful to the buyer? They show deferred maintenance (like peeling paint or wood rot), structural alignment (like leaning decks or bowed walls), and environmental risks (like poor drainage or soil slope). These things aren’t always obvious up close. Do you use these photos for internal quality control? Yes. Especially with new inspectors, we review their elevation photos as part of training and QA. It helps ensure they’re catching key issues and covering every angle of the house. Consistency matters. Can these photos help if there’s a dispute later? Absolutely. Elevation shots are timestamped proof of what the exterior looked like on inspection day. If someone claims damage occurred before or during closing, this is objective documentation that supports you. → Next up: Post 5: Get the Most Out of Your Inspection Report ← Previously: Post 3: Why I Start Every Inspection with a RecallChek Curious what it’s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?

What We Look For (And What We Don’t): The Hidden Clues in a Home’s Year Built The reason I always start with the year a house was built is because it tells me what kind of trouble might be waiting. Every decade has its telltale signs—materials that were trendy, shortcuts that were common, and mistakes we didn’t know were mistakes until years later. It’s like a medical chart for the house. And no offense to your real estate listing, but “charming vintage home” usually means “go slow and look closely.” What I Expect Based on the Year Here’s a short version of what runs through my mind when I see the build date. If your home falls in one of these decades, this is where my radar starts: 1950s–1960s: Possible asbestos insulation, lead-based paint, and older-style fuse panels instead of breakers. Solid bones, but safety upgrades likely needed. 1965–1973: Aluminum wiring was commonly used in branch circuits—this stuff expands/contracts and loosens over time. I look closely at panels, connections, and visible wires. 1978 and earlier: Lead paint is highly likely. I’m not testing it, but I will point out where it probably exists (especially on windows, trim, and railings). 1983–1996: Polybutylene pipes—the gray ones—start showing up. They degrade internally, crack from the inside out, and often fail without warning. 2001–2009: Chinese drywall was imported in large quantities. It off-gasses sulfur that corrodes copper, wiring, and HVAC coils. If the home’s had weird appliance failures or smells like fireworks? My antenna goes up. 2000s–2010s: Vinyl windows that seal poorly, and cheap PEX plumbing connections that weren’t crimped correctly. Everything passes code, but that doesn’t mean it lasts. This Is Pattern Recognition, Not Guesswork Just like a doctor doesn’t run every test on every patient, I don’t check for everything in every house. But if I know you’re a 1971 ranch in Florida with a partially remodeled kitchen? I’m checking panel labels for aluminum. If you’re a 2006 two-story near the Gulf Coast? I’m glancing at the drywall for ghosting and corrosion signs. It’s not paranoia—it’s pattern recognition. It keeps me focused and efficient, and it helps me warn you about things that aren’t visible, but that matter. What I’m Looking For—And What I’m Not ✅ I’m looking for: era-specific red flags, material types, appliance age, and renovations that either blend well—or scream DIY. ❌ I’m not looking for: cosmetic choices, wallpaper trends, or trying to bring your 1975 home up to 2025 code. I’m not evaluating taste—I’m evaluating function and safety. And no, I’m not ripping up carpet to find lead paint or cutting drywall to check for Chinese imports. I’m inspecting what I can access, and documenting what your house is trying to tell me—if you know how to listen. Why You Should Care (Even If You’re Replacing Everything) Some clients say, “We’re remodeling anyway—why does it matter?” And that’s fine. But the issues I flag based on age often go deeper than surface updates. You can replace countertops, but you can’t see what’s happening behind that polybutylene plumbing without a flood. Knowing the decade helps you prioritize what needs to be fixed—and what just needs to be watched. FAQs: Weird But Important Construction Trends by Decade Is aluminum wiring really dangerous? Yes, especially when used for branch circuits (outlets, lights). It expands and contracts more than copper, which loosens connections and creates overheating/fire risk. Not all aluminum is bad—some is safe for large appliances—but I check connections carefully. What’s Chinese drywall, and why is it a problem? Between 2001–2009, some drywall imported from China released sulfur gases that corrode metal—especially HVAC coils and copper wiring. It also creates a rotten egg smell. I can’t test for it, but I can flag visual or environmental signs and recommend lab testing. Is polybutylene piping always a dealbreaker? Not always—but it’s a risk. It was used in millions of homes, mostly between 1985–1996. Even if it looks okay now, it degrades from the inside. Most plumbers recommend full replacement rather than waiting for a failure. If a home is older, do you report it for not meeting modern code? No. Older homes are “grandfathered in” under the code they were built under. I only flag safety issues, damage, or function failures—not whether it meets today’s building standards. → Next up: Post 4: Why We Start Every Inspection with a RecallChek ← Previously: Post 2: How I Prepare for a Home Inspection the Right Way Curious what it’s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?

What We Look For (And What We Don’t): Why I Start Every Inspection with a RecallChek The reason I start nearly every inspection by uploading model and serial numbers into RecallChek is because your appliances could literally be ticking time bombs. It’s not fearmongering—it’s just reality. There are thousands of active recalls on household systems, and most homeowners have no idea they’re living with a known hazard. What Is a RecallChek, and Why Do I Use It? Think of it like a VIN check for your appliances. I collect the model and serial numbers for major systems—furnace, A/C, dishwasher, oven, water heater, microwave—and run them through a national safety database. If there’s a recall, the report will show it. And just like your car, manufacturers are legally required to fix it for free. But here’s the best part: it doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong *right now*. You’ll also get monthly updates moving forward. If a recall is issued two years from now, you’ll be notified. If you replace your fridge next month? You can add the new unit to your report. It’s not just a snapshot—it’s a living safety tracker. Why This Comes First (Even Before the Roof) Starting with RecallChek gives me more than just safety data. It shows me where all the key systems are, what condition they’re in, and whether anything looks off from the jump. I’ll often spot a mismatched HVAC unit, an undersized water heater, or a duct-taped microwave install before I’ve even gotten to the attic. Plus, getting these data plates early means I’m not scrambling at the end or accidentally skipping something because it was hidden behind laundry baskets. What I’m Looking For—And What I’m Not ✅ I’m looking for: clearly readable model and serial numbers on appliances and systems, correct installation dates, and whether they match the general condition of the property. ❌ I’m not looking for: cosmetic scratches, off-brand labels, or whether you “like” the appliances. Also, I don’t inspect portable or plug-in devices like countertop blenders or toasters. I also don’t verify whether the recalled parts have already been replaced. I’ll flag the issue—but it’s up to the homeowner or buyer to follow through with the manufacturer. My job is to provide the info, not chase warranty repairs. Why This Matters Long After I Leave Even if everything in your home is working perfectly right now, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Some appliance recalls take years to surface. Others go unnoticed because manufacturers don’t always contact homeowners directly. When you get a RecallChek through us, you’re looped into an alert system that keeps working long after the inspection report is filed away. All of our inspectors start with RecallChek because it’s low-effort, high-value, and potentially life-saving. And if you don’t know the safety status of your own appliances… who does? FAQs: The Truth About Appliance Recalls How does RecallChek work during a home inspection? I take photos of the data plate (the tag with the model and serial number) for every built-in or major appliance—like the furnace, A/C, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and water heater. Those numbers are uploaded to RecallChek’s national database to check for manufacturer-issued recalls or defects. What happens if something I own is recalled? You’ll get a report showing any active recalls. Manufacturers are legally obligated to correct safety issues, typically at no cost to the homeowner. You can contact them with the report to schedule repairs or replacements. Is this just a one-time scan, or does it keep updating? It keeps updating. You’ll get monthly updates if a new recall is issued. If you replace appliances later, you can log into the portal and add them to your RecallChek list to keep the protection going. Do you test the appliances for functionality too? Yes, where it’s safe and allowed. I test appliances using normal operating controls. But if something’s shut down, disconnected, or unsafe to operate (like a gas oven with no visible shutoff), I won’t activate it. My job is to observe and report, not to damage or repair anything. → Next up: Post 4: Why Elevation Photos Matter in Your Home Inspection Report ← Previously: Post 2: How I Prepare for a Home Inspection the Right Way Curious what it’s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?

What We Look For (And What We Don’t): How I Prepare for a Home Inspection the Right Way The reason I spend time reviewing the home before I even show up is because houses come with baggage—just like people. And just like any smart doctor starts by checking your chart, I start by checking the year the house was built. That one detail tells me more than you’d think. Why the Year Built Changes Everything If your home was built in the late 1960s or early ’70s, I’m walking in already thinking about aluminum wiring. In the late ’80s and early ’90s? My radar’s up for polybutylene piping—a ticking time bomb in certain climates. The home’s age isn’t just trivia. It’s context. And it helps me make smarter decisions about where to spend my attention during the inspection. I also know that if the home was built before 1978, there’s a high likelihood of lead paint. If it was built after 2005, I’m expecting better fire-rated garage doors and GFCI placement. It’s not about guessing. It’s about understanding construction trends—and anticipating the problems that come with them. This Isn’t About Code—It’s About Patterns I’m not here to bring your home up to 2025 code. I’m not the code police. Just like a 1950 Corvette doesn’t need to install a backup camera, your 1950 house doesn’t need to be rebuilt because of every code change since then. I’m evaluating the home based on what it was built to be—then checking if it’s still functioning safely today. And that’s why preparation matters. If I know a 1984 house in this area likely has poly piping and low attic insulation, I’m already mentally checking behind the drywall before I even get there. I don’t need to see it to suspect it. I just need to know what I’m walking into. What I’m Looking For—And What I’m Not ✅ I’m looking for: clues about construction quality, material types, aging systems, and era-specific risks that could cause serious issues. ❌ I’m not looking for: cosmetic quirks, style preferences, or reasons to nitpick things that made sense 40 years ago. Your harvest gold bathroom fixtures are not a defect—they’re vintage. I don’t open walls. I don’t test for radon. I don’t scrape paint to find lead. But I will document red flags that suggest a deeper dive is needed—by a specialist. That’s the role of a general inspection: not to diagnose, but to spot symptoms and recommend when to escalate. Our Process Is Methodical—Because It Has to Be Every inspector on our team is trained to think this way. We don’t just “walk through and see what’s broken.” We prep, analyze, and execute based on a system. That’s how you find small things before they become big ones. We’re not just showing up and clicking a checklist. We’re reading your house before we even walk in the door. That’s what you’re paying for. That’s what preparation really looks like. FAQs: Why the Year Built Actually Matters Why do you care when the house was built? The year built helps predict what materials and construction standards were common at the time. That tells me where to look for problems. Older homes might have fuse boxes, non-GFCI outlets, or lead-based paint. Newer ones might cut corners in materials but pass code. Every decade has its red flags. What’s wrong with aluminum wiring? Aluminum branch wiring, common in homes from the mid-’60s to early ’70s, is prone to expansion and contraction, leading to loose connections, overheating, and potential fire hazards. I look for signs it was updated, repaired properly, or still in place. What is polybutylene pipe, and why is it bad? Polybutylene (PB) pipe was a cheap alternative to copper used in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. It degrades when exposed to oxidants in municipal water and often fails without warning. If I suspect PB, I’ll recommend a licensed plumber for further evaluation. Do you check every home for code compliance based on the year? No. A home doesn’t need to comply with modern code unless it’s being renovated or modified. I inspect based on what’s safe and functional, not what’s trendy or newly required. If something poses a risk—regardless of age—I’ll call it out. → Next up: Post 3: Why We Start Every Inspection with a RecallChek ← Previously: Post 1: The Inspection Starts Before I Even Arrive Curious what it’s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?

What We Look For (And What We Don’t): The Inspection Starts Before I Even Arrive The reason I start preparing for your inspection the night before is simple: I don’t like surprises. The year a home was built tells me almost as much as the walkthrough itself. If it was built in 1971, I’m immediately thinking about aluminum wiring, 1994, early GFCI use, or 1989, polybutylene pipes. I’m not guessing—I’m pattern-matching. It’s like a doctor checking your chart before walking in the room. I Start at My Desk With a Cup of Coffee—Not a Flashlight Before I ever set foot on your property, I’ve already looked at the year built, climate zone, roof type, and typical issues for homes in that area. I might even dig into old permits or property disclosures if something stands out. That way, when I show up, I’m not walking in blind—I’m already scanning for the problems that make sense *for that era and style of home.* It’s the difference between wandering through a house… and reading the house. What I’m Looking For (And What I’m Definitely Not) When I’m inspecting your water heater in the garage, my job is to assess that water heater—not everything in its orbit. If there’s a loose railing or a wobbly staircase nearby, I’m not ignoring it… it’s just not part of this step. I’ll get to those things, but one system at a time. ✅ I am looking at: systems that are accessible, visible, and functioning—like the TPR valve on the water heater or the age on the data plate. ❌ I am not: checking your garage for code violations, testing every light switch in that moment, or guessing how well it was installed. If it functions safely, it passes the test—period. This isn’t a building code inspection, and I’m not a historian. Just like a 1950 Corvette doesn’t need airbags or seatbelts retrofitted, your 1950 bungalow doesn’t need to meet 2025 building code. My job is to evaluate it *as it is today*, based on its condition and intended function. We Don’t Assume the Worst—And We Don’t Act Like the Owner I assume licensed tradespeople installed your HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems correctly—unless there’s visible evidence to suggest otherwise. I don’t verify every fastening pattern or material spec. That’s not what a general inspection is about. And let’s be clear: I’m not the homeowner. Neither are you (yet), and neither is your agent. That means I don’t flip breakers, force open stuck windows, or fire up gas appliances just because they “probably work.” I don’t damage other people’s property, even accidentally. It’s called professional courtesy—and also, common sense. The Inspection Starts Quietly—But Intentionally This preparation phase doesn’t show up in the report, but it shapes the entire inspection. It makes the walkthrough smarter, faster, and more focused. I’m not chasing problems—I’m finding them because I already know where they’re likely to be hiding. And no matter which of our inspectors shows up, we all work this way. We’re trained to think, not just click and snap photos. This isn’t paint-by-numbers. It’s pattern recognition, layered with experience and a touch of caffeine. FAQs: The Behind-the-Scenes Questions I Get All the Time Do you inspect everything you can see, even if it’s not related? Nope. Our inspections follow a system-by-system approach. Just because I can see something doesn’t mean I’m inspecting it in that moment. For example, while checking your water heater, I’m not evaluating the drywall seams or stairwell finish nearby. I’ll get to them in the right section of the inspection. Why don’t you test fireplaces, gas appliances, or shutoff valves? The InterNACHI SOP prohibits inspectors from operating systems that are shut down or could create risk. For example, turning on a gas fireplace that hasn’t been used in years could trigger a safety hazard. I document the presence and condition of these items, but if operation requires bypassing safety or invading private space, I skip it—professionally. Are you responsible for identifying building code violations? No. I’m not a code enforcement officer. Homes are evaluated based on the standards of practice and what’s visible at the time of the inspection. A house built in 1970 doesn’t need to meet 2025 code unless it’s being renovated or expanded. I do look for safety hazards, but not code compliance. Why do you assume things are installed properly? The SOP makes it clear that we aren’t required to determine installation methods, manufacturer compliance, or standards used by other professionals. Unless something looks unsafe or obviously wrong, I assume licensed pros did their job. If not, I note it and recommend a deeper look by a specialist. → Next up: Post 2: The Hidden Clues in a Home’s Year Built Curious what it’s like to schedule your own home inspection with us?

Week 25 – I Didn’t Do This Alone (And That’s the Point) The most valuable resource in this franchise? Experience I didn’t earn the hard way: This week I caught myself saying, “I think I’ve really figured this out.” Then I stopped mid-sentence—because the truth is, I didn’t “figure it out” by myself. I’ve been guided. Coached. Steered around potholes by people who’ve built multi-six and seven-figure inspection businesses. And without their help? I have no doubt I’d be buried under mistakes right now. What I’m realizing, 25 weeks in, is that the most valuable part of this franchise isn’t the software or the logo or the checklist templates—it’s the lived experience of the people who’ve done this *before* me. That’s the safety net. That’s the cheat code. The things I avoided without even realizing it: Every time I got pricing guidance, marketing feedback, or report review advice, I sidestepped a mistake. Bad hires. Bad vendors. Undercharging. Over-promising. Missing insurance details. Going rogue on language that could have created liability. I didn’t “win” by being smart—I avoided losing by getting smarter people to weigh in first. And the craziest part? I probably don’t even realize half of what I dodged. The cost of a good franchise system isn’t what you pay—it’s what you *save* in money, time, and hard lessons avoided. What Curt said that stuck with me this week: “Some people hit a year or two and start to think, ‘I did this myself.’ But they don’t realize the 100+ silent landmines the system helped them avoid.” That landed hard. I don’t want to be that person who thinks this growth came from luck or hustle alone. I’ve hustled, sure—but I hustled in a lane that was already cleared for me. That’s the difference between random trial-and-error… and following a real, proven path. The franchise tools are great. The brains behind them? Better. Every tool I’ve used—Snapshot summaries, CRM automations, inspection templates—works because it was shaped by real-world feedback. The system isn’t just “corporate guidance”—it’s knowledge built on thousands of homes, hundreds of inspectors, and years of figuring out what works *and* what doesn’t. And every time I reach out to someone who’s done this before, they don’t give me fluff. They give me real answers. Sometimes blunt. Always helpful. Next step: keep learning like I don’t know it all I’m keeping my coach on speed dial. I’m watching what top performers are doing. I’m asking questions before making assumptions. Because staying coachable is the only way to keep growing without breaking what’s already working. What I’ll absolutely keep doing forever: Giving credit where it’s due—and treating franchise advice like gold. I didn’t build this alone. And if I want to keep scaling, I better keep leaning on the system that got me here. → Next up: Week 26: Halfway Point — Wins, Mistakes, and What’s Next ← See the tools that made my life easier: Week 24: Automation Tools I Now Rely On (and What I Gave Up On) Curious what it’s like to build your own home inspection franchise from the ground up?

Week 24 – My Favorite Robot Employees (and the Ones I Fired) This week I took a hard look at the tech running behind the scenes: As the business picks up, I’ve realized that doing everything manually is a fast track to burnout—or missed opportunities. I started looking closer at automation: what’s helping, what’s hurting, and what’s just adding noise. Some tools have become essential. Others? Deleted, unsubscribed, or quietly buried in my bookmarks folder. Here’s what’s working, and what’s not. The automation I’d never run this business without: reviews If I had to pick one thing that changed the game this quarter, it’s automating my review requests. As soon as I mark an inspection complete, a branded, polite review request goes out. If they don’t respond? A friendly reminder follows up a few days later. Clients are busy. They forget. But when the ask comes at the right time, with a single click, my review rate jumps—and that means trust, leads, and SEO magic. Automating that one step helps my reputation grow while I sleep. The runners-up that make life smoother: Calendar and booking integration: Letting agents or clients self-book a time that fits into my calendar, with automated confirmations and reminders? Total win. Fewer calls. Fewer no-shows. Zero double-booking drama. Email sequences: Post-inspection follow-ups, scheduling confirmations, and friendly “here’s what to expect” emails—written once, sent automatically. Clients think I’m ultra-organized. I just scheduled it all in advance. CRM task triggers: When I add a new Realtor, it kicks off a task to follow up in 3 days, then 10, then 30. No more sticky note chaos. The ones I gave up on (and why): Social media schedulers: I tried to automate posts, but they ended up feeling generic and low-effort. Now I just block one hour a week to post something personal and real. Better engagement. Better vibe. Zapier overkill: I went too deep connecting apps to apps to apps… until I couldn’t remember what was automated and what was broken. Simpler is better. A few smart automations beat 50 fragile ones every time. AI chatbots for client questions: Look, they’re cute—but if someone’s buying a $600+ service, they want a real human. I ditched the bot and now just route all messages through my CRM app where I can reply personally and fast. What I’ve learned about automation and business ownership: Automation doesn’t replace the human stuff—it just clears the way for it. If I don’t have to remember to send a review request, I can focus on being present at a Realtor coffee. If I don’t need to track follow-ups manually, I can prep better for inspections. That’s the real value. How the franchise helped me filter the noise: Curt and the IOC team didn’t tell me to automate everything—they told me to *automate what matters*. That includes reviews, follow-ups, scheduling, and reminders. They gave me vetted tools and examples from other franchisees, so I wasn’t stuck in app-pocalypse trying 12 different platforms. Next step: go deeper on what’s already working I’m going to refine my email sequences, add a little more personality to my texts, and start tracking response rates. Small tweaks, big ROI. I want the automation to feel like *me*, not like a robot pretending to be me. What I’ll absolutely keep doing: Automating the things that save brainpower—but keeping the human touch where it matters. Especially in reviews. Because that’s not just reputation—it’s the future pipeline talking back to me. → Coming up next: Week 25: The Most Valuable Franchise Resource So Far ← Missed the tough lesson in handling criticism? Week 23: My First Bad Review — And How I Turned It Into a Win Thinking about starting your own business? Check out this franchise opportunity.

Week 23 – My First Bad Review (and Why It Didn’t Break Me) The week I learned that not all critics are created equal: This week, it happened: my first bad review. I won’t sugarcoat it—seeing those stars drop hurt. My gut reaction was defensive. Angry, even. But then I dug deeper, and what I found wasn’t just a misunderstanding—it was an opportunity to educate and lead. The issue? A post-inspection contractor told the buyer we “missed” multiple major items. They left the appointment convinced we hadn’t done a thorough job. The contractor talked about how things “aren’t up to code” and “should have been caught,” all with a tone that implied our report was a failure. I was crushed. What actually happened—and how we proved it: Here’s the reality: the contractor didn’t understand what a home inspection *is*. We don’t do code compliance checks or upgrades to 2024 standards when the home was built in 1995. We evaluate current functionality, safety issues, and clearly observed defects—using the standards of practice we’re trained and certified for. And guess what? The Snapshot section of our report had it all. Photos. Functionality confirmation. Notes showing the system was operational the day of inspection. Thermal imaging, drone shots, the whole package. We hadn’t missed anything—we’d just interpreted it correctly. Calmly. Professionally. Without scare tactics. What turned it around: We called the client. Listened first. Empathized. Walked them through what a home inspection covers—and doesn’t. We shared a third-party assessment that confirmed the issue wasn’t a total system failure like the contractor claimed. Just an outdated part that could be fixed for a couple hundred bucks. The client’s tone changed completely. The panic turned to understanding. They even updated their review to reflect that we took the time to explain, clarify, and care. It didn’t erase the original comment—but it reframed it. That, to me, was the real win. The systems that had my back: The Snapshot section. The photo and video evidence. The use of templated comments that avoid guesswork or exaggerated language. And most importantly, the mindset of documenting everything—even when the system *seems* fine. Because that backup is what kept me from doubting myself or fumbling under pressure. The franchise coaching that made me pause before reacting: Curt told me early on: “Don’t defend. Explain. Don’t panic. Prove.” That advice played on repeat in my head. I didn’t snap back at the contractor. I didn’t go passive-aggressive. I stayed calm, showed what we saw, and focused on educating—not arguing. And that’s what earned the client’s trust back. What I’ll do every time from now on: Document the functional. Show the systems working. Use plain language, and never assume what someone “should know.” Because when people come with emotion, I want to respond with facts, clarity, and empathy—not ego. → Next: Week 24: Automation Tools I Now Rely On (and What I Gave Up On) ← Want to see where I weighed my first hire? Week 22: Hiring Help: Admin, Marketing, or Another Inspector? Curious what it’s like to build your own home inspection franchise from the ground up?

Week 22 – Hire What Hurts, Keep What Fuels You The week I had to choose what kind of owner I want to be: I hit another fork in the road this week. The calendar’s busy. The phone rings regularly. The follow-ups, emails, scheduling, report polishing, Realtor outreach—it’s all working. And it’s *all* too much for one person. So I started thinking: What do I hire for first—admin support? Marketing help? Another inspector? And then I had a conversation with Curt that reframed the entire question. What he asked me that changed everything: “What do you like doing best?” Not, “What’s most profitable?” or “What’s easiest to hand off?” Just a simple question that drilled into the heart of the problem: if I want to grow, I have to choose what *not* to do. And the choice gets a lot clearer when you’re honest about what lights you up versus what drains you. What I realized about myself (and my limits): I like inspecting. I like walking through houses, explaining findings, building trust. I don’t love the backend admin. I *really* don’t love constant marketing logistics. But here’s the hard truth: I can only do two, maybe three inspections a day. Tops. And that’s not how you build a seven-figure inspection business. If I want to grow beyond “a guy with a full schedule,” I need help. Period. Systems alone won’t scale me. People will. The options I mapped out—and where I’m leaning: Admin: Would take scheduling, follow-up emails, and report polishing off my plate. Huge time win. Marketing: Could help me automate social posts, event coordination, Realtor check-ins, and brand visibility. Inspector: A big move. Increases capacity but adds risk, training, and oversight. Not yet… but maybe soon. For now? Admin support is the low-hanging fruit. If I can reclaim 5–10 hours a week from backend work, that’s 5–10 hours I can use to focus on *revenue*—inspections, relationships, strategic growth. The mindset shift I needed this week: This isn’t about “not being able to handle it.” It’s about designing the business I actually want. If I keep doing *everything*, I’m just building a job. But if I hire intentionally and build systems around my strengths? I’m building an asset. A machine. A company that can run without me doing every single thing. What the franchise system reminded me of: Inspections Over Coffee was built with this path in mind. I’m not the first one to hit this ceiling. There are workflows, hiring guidelines, onboarding templates, even tech setups ready to go. I’m not guessing—I’m choosing. That makes this way less scary. Next steps: start small, but start now I’m drafting a role description for part-time admin help. Just a few hours a week to test the waters. I’ll keep inspecting (because I love it), but I’m clearing room to grow—by hiring where it hurts most. What I’ll keep doing forever: Asking: “What do I love? What can I delegate?” Because the better I answer those questions, the faster this business becomes scalable—and the more fun it is to run. → Next up: Week 23: My First Bad Review — And How I Turned It Into a Win ← Catch how I rebalanced work and life last week: Week 21: Managing Personal Life While Growing the Business Thinking about starting your own business? Check out this franchise opportunity.

Week 21 – Freedom? Yes. Free Time? Not Quite. This week I had to get real about how I was spending my time: I didn’t start this business to be chained to a desk. I wanted freedom—flexibility, control, the ability to take a Thursday off if I wanted to. And technically, I *have* that now. But this week was a wake-up call: just because I can do whatever I want doesn’t mean I *should*—at least not yet. After a few too many personal errands stacked up—doctor visits, grocery runs, a random midweek hardware store trip—I realized something was off. My goals weren’t getting hit. The pipeline was thinning out. I called Curt, and as usual, he nailed it in one sentence: “The business doesn’t build itself.” The discipline I needed (and finally faced): We talked numbers. Forty-two Realtor meetings a month. That’s the bar. Not a suggestion—a requirement if I want the referrals, reviews, and recurring flow that build a real inspection business. And those meetings can’t come *after* errands. They have to come first. I looked at my calendar and saw what I already knew: I’d been treating personal life like the job, and the business like the filler. Time to flip that. The difference between owning a business and being “free”: Here’s the truth nobody puts on the billboard: In Year One, if you feel like you have too much free time, you’re doing it wrong. A successful business *should* feel like a never-ending to-do list at the start. That’s how it grows. That’s how it survives. Curt reminded me: there’s a big difference between being a business owner and being a person with free time who occasionally does inspections. The first one builds wealth. The second one… just burns runway. But here’s the flip side—and it matters too: If you’re hitting your numbers, staying organized, and following the systems? Then yes—cut out early for your daughter’s recital. Take your dad golfing on a Tuesday morning. That’s the *reward* for doing it right. But not the excuse to coast when the work isn’t done. This week I started scheduling my Realtor meetings like appointments that couldn’t be moved. Because they can’t. They’re the lifeline of this business. Everything else—laundry, emails, even some inspections—comes *after* the marketing engine is fed. How the franchise mindset helps frame this right: The Inspections Over Coffee model gives me the systems, the scripts, the numbers. But it doesn’t give me the willpower. That’s on me. I have the tools. But like Curt said—“No one can do your push-ups for you.” That one stuck. What I’m changing next week: I’m blocking every morning from 8:00 to 11:00 for marketing and follow-up. No errands. No distractions. Forty-two meetings a month means about 10–12 a week. That means I need 2–3 *every single weekday*. If I’m not booking those, I’m not really building. What I’ll repeat forever, not just this week: Freedom is earned. It comes after consistency. When the pipeline is full, and the reviews are flowing, and the systems are humming—you can unplug. Until then? Eyes on the prize. Calls before Costco. → Coming up next: Week 22: Hiring Help: Admin, Marketing, or Another Inspector? ← Don’t miss how I handled a lawyer call like a pro: Week 20: First Call from a Lawyer — What Happened, What I Did Thinking about starting your own business? Check out this franchise opportunity.