Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Hopkins.
Hi Trevor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was 18 I was presented with the opportunity to purchase my first home. I decided this was the right decision for me vs going to school. Ultimately I did not know what I wanted to do or where to go. I have no connections, I’m young and I don’t come from much. My first home was in very rough shape so I quit my dead end job at the time and decided we’re going to flip this home. Putting all renovation cost on credit cards we made it happen. That was the start of the real estate bug I was bit by. I now knew I had to get into working, investing and surrounding myself in the real estate community. I started with wanting to be a real estate agent ultimately that did not work out and I fell into termite inspections working with real estate professionals and being involved in the process somewhat I loved it. By accident my experience and connections I now created led me to the home inspection industry. I was prospected and began working for a large home inspection team of about 6-8. Now at this time I am 21 years old I have been inspecting homes for quite sometime both on the termite and real estate transaction side. In 2024 I decided to start doing it on my own as kind of a side hustle to offset not having health insurance. Well that side hustle began to grow and grow some more until it didn’t make sense as just a side hustle any longer. With the support of my significant other I made the jump and left my stable inspection job to fully lean into my own. Well with my luck that’s when things came to a halt. Business was not coming in as consistently. This started to become the most stressful time of my life so I leaned into it heavy networking, cold calling doing everything I possibly could. Coaching is what ultimately saved me no longer was I just throwing at the wall and hoping it to stick. I had a plan, action and knew what to do. Fast forward to 2026, I now have a full team, two full time inspectors, three full time office staff. Beacon home inspection was voted best home inspector of 2025, of 2026 and we have over 300+ 5 star reviews. I honestly believe our story is a true come up story. A story of nothing to something I am the youngest home inspector business owner in Michigan and we are one of the more successful companies on the west side.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Stress in the beginning money was not coming in but bills were.
A home inspector who was not a fan of my business growth and in the beginning began contacting agents in our area to try to make sure they did not use me. Caused a lot of drama in the local community but we pushed forward
Learning to not need to be a control of everything being able to hire out what I can’t handle.
Being so young in an older industry was a rough hill to get over but it was just me having imposter syndrome
Networking. Naturally I am an introvert so I have to force myself out of my shell and into rooms with people who have been doing these things for years
As you know, we’re big fans of Beacon Home Inspection. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Beacon home inspection we provide professional residential and commercial inspection services. Inspecting anything from 200,000 sqft factory’s to 900sqft trailers. We are known as a onestop shop proving everything that may be needed involving the inspection side of a real estate transaction. We are internachi certified and highly rated. We are proud of having over 300+ fivestar reviews as well as being voted best home inspector 2025, 2026 by our community.
What does success mean to you?
Time freedom. Rich to me is being able to control your time. Yes I work, I work a lot of hours but ultimately I can make my own decisions. Success is the ability to bring up others as well. I am no longer just providing for myself I now am able to provide for others which has became a huge part of our mission. The first sentence of our mission is “to be a hub of opportunity and development for others”. Because of my upbringing and entrepreneur story I want to be able to provide a chance to others that may other wise not see that chance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beaconhomeinspection.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CWSkszSEh/?mibextid=wwXIfr
