Meet Ryan Horne of Peak to Peak Home Inspection

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Horne

Hi Ryan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m 36 years old. After high school, I went to trade school for carpentry and worked as a carpenter for several years. However, I grew tired of the trade as it no longer kept my interest. After a few years, I had an opportunity to work for Chrysler. It was a well-paying job, so I took it.

During this time, I bought a house and had it inspected. I wasn’t impressed with the service. When I called the inspector the next day with follow-up questions, he didn’t remember the house. He also wasn’t very thorough, as I discovered several obvious problems after moving in. I remember thinking I could do better!

About five years later, my girlfriend at the time (now fiancée) decided to get her real estate license. She got her first deal and needed an inspector but didn’t know anyone since she was new in the business. She took a referral from another agent but wasn’t impressed with the service. Although the inspector found many issues, he wasn’t good at communicating them to her client. He spoke too technically, which was confusing for someone unfamiliar with construction or how a home works.

That was it. I decided I could handle the technical side of being a home inspector and provide good communication to my clients. I started training through InterNACHI, one of the largest home inspection schools in the country, and obtained my certification. While training, I began building my business and haven’t looked back. I’m now in my third year and have been growing 5x year over year.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There’s been a bunch!
1. I didn’t anticipate how much knowledge is truly needed to be a great inspector. It’s a learning process that never ends!
2. I didn’t realize how important marketing is. It’s everything. Without executing marketing properly, you’re dead in the water.
3. A lot of people don’t know how a home works, like at all. Just because it’s obvious to me, doesn’t mean it will be to everyone. It’s my field so of course I know certain things. That’s why I’m being paid!
4. A lot of people don’t know the value of a home inspection. Catching one issue can easily make an inspection worth it, but a lot of people don’t realize that.
5. Competition is stiff! Because of the low barriers to entry, new inspectors (like me) are always popping up!
There’s more I’m sure, just have to think about it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Peak to Peak Home Inspection ?
I’m a one man shop currently. I do the inspections, along with marketing, accounting, customer service, and anything else the makes a business run.

I am known for my thoroughness. Some inspectors “go easy” on a house because they want the continued referrals from that particular realtor. This is short term thinking. I’m completely honest with the condition of a house no matter the consequences. My motto is every issue can be fixed with a home, it just depends what you’re comfortable spending to fix that issue. It doesn’t do anyone any favors letting an issue slide so everyone comes out happy. It’s better to know what’s wrong BEFORE buying the home, and making a decision. This has surely costed me business, but my customers know I’ll be straight up with them ALWAYS. I’m most proud with the growth. It means it’s working. We also are a company that offers many inspection services. Along with a home inspection, we offer radon testing, sewer scoping, lead testing, asbestos testing, mold testing, and air quality testing.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I always loved business. I remember as a kid thinking “I can’t wait to turn 18 so I can start a business!”
Although, it took me until 33, but so glad I did.

Pricing:

• Home inspection: $300-600
• Sewer Scoping – $180
• Radon Testing – $150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://peakinspects.com/