07/18/2026
One Year Later. Here’s What Building a Home Inspection Business Really Taught Me.
Just over a year ago, I took a leap of faith and launched Mike Holmes Inspections Fort McMurray.
Like many people who start a business, I had a vision, a plan, and a lot of optimism. I also knew there would be challenges along the way. What I could not fully appreciate at the time was how much that first year would teach me, both professionally and personally.
Every inspection has reinforced one simple truth. Clients are trusting me to evaluate what is often one of the largest investments they will ever make. That responsibility is something I have never taken lightly.
When I decided to start my home inspection business, I knew I wanted to be associated with a brand that stood for something. The Mike Holmes name has earned the trust of homeowners across Canada by consistently promoting quality workmanship, accountability, and doing the job right. Those values are what attracted me to the brand in the first place.
Being part of that brand carries a responsibility. Clients do not choose Mike Holmes Inspections simply because of the name on the truck. They expect a thorough inspection, honest communication, and the confidence that comes from knowing the inspection was completed with care and professionalism.
While I perform every inspection myself here in Fort McMurray, I am proud to represent a brand that has spent decades raising the standard for our industry. Every inspection is an opportunity to uphold that reputation and earn the trust of my clients.
Looking back on my first year, three lessons stand out above all the others.
1. Technology Is Only as Good as the Person Using It
One of the biggest investments I made during my first year was in technology. I expanded my services with thermal imaging, radon testing, indoor air quality and mold sampling, and even a drone equipped with thermal imaging. These tools allow me to identify conditions that are not always visible during a traditional visual inspection.
Technology is incredibly valuable, but it does not replace knowledge, experience, or professional judgment.
A thermal camera does not diagnose a problem. A drone does not determine whether a roof needs repair. Air sampling equipment does not explain what the results mean for a family living in the home.
My role is to interpret the information, explain it clearly, and help clients understand the difference between routine maintenance, recommended improvements, and significant concerns.
Technology should make an inspection more informative. It should never make it more confusing.
2. A Great Inspection Is About Education
One lesson became clear very quickly. Most clients are not looking for someone to simply identify defects. They want someone who can explain what those findings actually mean.
Some homes have only minor maintenance items. Others reveal larger concerns. Regardless of what I find, I have learned that taking the time to answer questions and explain how a home functions is just as important as documenting deficiencies.
I never want clients to leave an inspection feeling overwhelmed.
I want them to leave feeling informed, confident, and better prepared to make their own decisions.
That philosophy has become one of the foundations of my business.
3. Improvement Never Stops
One of the things I enjoy most about this profession is that there is always something new to learn.
During my first year, I continued investing in education, refining my reporting process, improving the way I communicate findings, and expanding the services I offer. I also became BBB Accredited, continued working toward WETT certification, and remained committed to raising the standard I set for myself with every inspection.
Every inspection teaches me something.
Every home presents a different set of challenges.
Every client asks questions that make me a better inspector.
That commitment to learning has made me a better inspector today than I was a year ago, and I hope it continues to do so for many years to come.
Looking Ahead
When I started this business, my goal was never to become the largest inspection company in Fort McMurray.
My goal was to build a reputation for being thorough, objective, dependable, and someone people could trust to provide an honest assessment of a home.
There were days during that first year when I questioned whether I was making the right decision. Starting a business comes with uncertainty, and every business owner experiences moments of doubt.
Then I would receive a phone call, a text message, or a Google review from a client who thanked me for helping them better understand their home, identify an issue before it became a costly repair, or simply for taking the time to answer every question they had. Those moments reminded me exactly why I started this business.
To every client who invited me into their home, every REALTOR® who has recommended my services, and everyone who has supported Mike Holmes Inspections Fort McMurray during this first year, thank you.
Your trust has allowed me to build a business that I am genuinely proud of.
The first year has given me a strong foundation. The next chapter is about continuing to raise the bar, continuing to learn, and continuing to earn that trust, one inspection at a time.
Thank you for trusting me with one of life’s biggest investments. I look forward to earning that trust for many years to come.
