Week 20 – My First Call from a Lawyer (and Why I Slept Fine That Night)

The moment my stomach dropped:

This week, I got the kind of phone call every new inspector dreads: “Hi, I’m calling on behalf of a client regarding an issue with a roof leak. I’m their attorney.”

I won’t lie—I felt a full-body jolt. My mind started racing: Did I miss something? Did I screw up? Was this going to cost me thousands? All I could think was: *Please tell me I documented everything.*

What happened—and how it turned out fine:

The issue was a roof leak that showed up a few months after the inspection. The lawyer was doing their due diligence. They weren’t accusing me—they just wanted the report. So I pulled it up and took a deep breath.

And here’s the thing: everything was *exactly* where it needed to be. The BuildFax report was included, with a permit record showing the roof was installed 15 years ago. My “roof may need replacing in the next 5 years” comment was clearly documented. I had multiple high-res drone photos, close-ups of all visible flashing, and thermal imaging showing no signs of moisture at the time of the inspection.

The power of systems and good habits:

I followed the protocol. I used the Snapshot summary to clearly call out big-ticket items. I used the standard language that Curt drilled into me. I documented *everything*—not just problems, but also proof of *what was working* at the time of inspection. That last part? Huge. The thermal imaging helped me show, in black and white (and red and blue), that the roof was dry the day I saw it.

The lawyer thanked me, asked no further questions, and said, “We appreciate the thorough documentation.” Then they hung up. Just like that. Crisis averted. Because the system worked.

What used to intimidate me now feels manageable:

Lawyers used to freak me out. The title alone made my pulse spike. But this time, I realized—they’re just people looking for clear documentation. When you have it, and it’s organized, and it shows you did your job? You’re not in trouble. You’re just being reviewed. And that’s survivable.

The franchise tools that saved me (literally):

The template language. The inspection workflow. The Snapshot section. The optional BuildFax report. The thermal imaging protocol. I didn’t invent any of that—it’s all part of the Inspections Over Coffee system. And in this case, it made me look like a pro. More importantly, it *protected* me like one.

Next step: do this every time, no exceptions

I’m doubling down on clean, clear documentation. Even when the house is “easy.” Especially then. Because when the lawyer calls—or even just a worried client—your report is your defense. And mine passed the test.

What I’ll do again, every single inspection:

Use the system. Trust the checklist. Take the extra five minutes for the perfect photo. Add the summary comment. Protect the client *and* myself with clarity. Turns out, sleep is a lot easier to come by when you know your report is bulletproof.

→ Coming up next: Week 21: Managing Personal Life While Growing the Business

← Missed the service upgrade that changed everything? Week 19: Adding Mold, Radon, and Air Quality Testing to the Business

Thinking about starting your own business? Check out this franchise opportunity.