TOPIC: Introduce Yourself!

Hi Guys,

Another post made me think we need to get this going. Introduce yourself. How'd you get into home inspecting? How long have you been doing it? Where'd you go to school (if you did), what other services do you do, what other jobs have you had, etc. Feel free to answer more or less, but the more we know about each other the more of a family this site becomes!

Even if you've been on the boards since they started, post here so others can read!

Dom, where is your intro? Too shy to go first on your own thread?

I'll start. I have been in the home building trades for about 15 years off and on. Started inspecting a few years back part time and decided to go full time 2 years ago. A few years back I did take a course for inspectors but will not name it here :'(. By far this is the best field I have ever been in and I love it.

If you ever want to go go horse back riding or fishing for monster pike give me a jingle. The more fishing the better as far as I'm concerned, though my wife sometimes thinnks otherwise. :-*

Well I turn 30 next month on the 18th. I started playing with computers when I was 13. I like running, hiking, fishing (especially deep sea), working on my computers and hanging out with my fiance. We're looking at moving to Washington state. Just spent the last few days there and had dinner with Stephen Stancyzk and his wife (had a great time).

I got a degree degree in computer programming around 22. I did it to create and have fun (programming to me is like painting is to an artist). When I created Home Inspector Pro I didn't want any influences from other software programs as many were Word based or first created before data entry on site was common. It was built from scratch based entirely on inspector discussion and needs for a Tablet PC (and what other program runs on Mac, Windows & Linux?). Everything needed to be 2-3 taps/clicks away.

This seems like a good time to get into how I came to create Home Inspector Pro. I started working on the software for several inspection companies that hired me in 2003, and finished the first version in 2005. I started teaching high school at 19. I was teaching computer programming, math and running a schools network of up to 500 computers during the day, and programming at night. The first version had an exact template, the way the companies wanted it, and couldn't be changed. I was 24 and saw the real estate market booming and kept the rights to the program to create my own company. Friends of the first companies continued to buy it through 2006 while I wrote a template editor to make it completely customizable. In 2006 a franchise in New Zealand started using the program and we focused on making it more flexible to be used in other states and countries.

Home Inspector Pro wasn't publicly advertised until the beginning of 2007. The inspectors using the program had so many ideas of great things to be added that there was no reason to look for more. Even now we have several hundred items on our to-do list (as I'm sure HG and others have). Every time we release a new version more guys make new suggestions for new features (check out our public message board).

I have worked on many open source [free] software programs since I was 13 (but no, I won't be making Home Inspector Pro free.. at this time  ). So, as a result, our company has a different philosophy. I see Home Inspector Pro as community built and driven. The inspectors (in large part InterNACHI inspectors) have driven the development and improvements in the program. Everything is voted on before being implemented. We don't charge for additional templates (one price for EVERYTHING) and encourage current inspectors to share theirs free. When we added commercial, mold and more residential templates, they were all added free. Inspectors using HIP aka HIPPIES did the same in return, and now there's over a dozen templates created by users, available on our message boards.

The software is now in use in 11 countries and 5 languages (though several of the countries only have a few users). I've seen templates for everything from playground inspections and boat inspections to skyscraper HVAC inspections.

Physically there are many similarities to all reports as all reports show problems and print pictures. All have sections (Roof, Basement, etc) and items within them, and narratives within that. That is across ALL programs, how could it not be. You could say that HG, HIP and others, look 'Similar' to paper forms, but with pictures. But if you look at our reports, their are difference, ours are PDF based (we write directly to PDF, no PDF print driver or anything inbetween), the PDF is interactive with bookmarks, has borders, a summary with page & item numbers and more. There are plenty of differences, but really, how many ways can you make the report look different? I suppose we could make a pop-up book/scratch & sniff version  .


Now that I've been to conferences and actually met Russ and Sean, Keith Swift, Jeff Knight, Dan Huber and other software company owners and talked with them at length, I can honestly say Home Inspectors are lucky. There are a lot of company owners out there that really care about the inspectors using their programs.

I feel very lucky as well, as I've made a lot of great friends while creating Home Inspector Pro.

Very nice Dom. I actually learned quite a bit about you and Hip the brainchild in your statement. I think what I like best is the personal servic e you give us.

My name is John Sopher, most people call me Adrian.  I'm 35 years old and getting married this weekend Apr 18th 2009.  After high school I decided to go into the Navy instead of college.  I needed a break from school and thought that was the way to go.  Little did I know, I was learning the entire time I was in the Navy.  Not only did I volunteer for the Navy I volunteered during the end of the first Golf War.  On top of that I double volunteered for submarines.  You can see more about this on my website at   http://www.oklahomahomeinspector.biz/John-Sopher-Navy-Days .  

After I got out, I got a job in a metrology lab (not meteorology).  I calibrated industrial test equipment for nine years.  While I worked at this job, I got my business degree and start a business in rental property.  I started South Side Home about 5 years ago and then helped my mother start her rental business, Wellsprings Properties.  I also met my fiance' and started a vending business with her. 

After working at the lab for nine years I got super tired of dealing with my old crooked boss and needed a change.  One day I had enough and quit.  I sat back and relaxed for about six months.  After six months of sitting on my duff, I had to figure out what I wanted to do (make some money).  So I decided to try home inspections out.  If it didn't work out I at least would be learning more about what I'm looking for in rental properties.

I went to school and got my license for the state of Oklahoma.  I found Dom and his site and loved the software.  I bought it and joined InterNACHI at the same time.  The rest is history.  Dom, this site, and you guys all helped my business to grow so fast....  I know I wouldn't still be here in business without all the help and links you guys provided for me and my site.

I cant thank you guys enough!!!

My name is Frank Phillips I am 31 yrs old with two children. My son is 9 and my daughter is 2. I originally went to College trying to pursue a degree in drafting and design. Due to unfortunate issues within my family I had to give it up. I went to work for a building company where I built all sorts of homes both custom and prefab. It was all fun until my son was born and I had no insurance and my wife went through a emergency c-section which almost took the life of my wife and nearly put me in a financial nightmare. After this ordeal I some how landed a job at Coca Cola Enterprises in Columbus Ohio where I started as a merchandiser and eventually worked my way up to Account Manager of my own territory. I was working miserable hours, missing my son growing up, straining my marriage, and many other things. I have always loved and appreciated the building industry and wanted to become part of it again, but this time I wanted to be my own boss. So I told my plant supervisor that I was leaving and going back to school to become a home inspector. I attended Hondros College in Westerville Ohio where I received a Master designation and New Build Specialist designation in home inspection. I later joined the Ohio Association of Home Inspectors and then a few months ago I joined Nachi. I have been in business for a little over a year and its been a blast. I believe that everything that happens, is for a reason. I have been truly blessed to be able to do what I love and make my own schedule "for the most part" and watch my children and marriage grow. I wish nothing but the best for everyone here.

Best regards,

Frank Phillips