From the initial purchase to ongoing maintenance, owning a home comes with its share of challenges. In navigating these difficulties, a reliable guide can be incredibly helpful. This is where Jim and Laura Troth's renowned home inspection company, Habitation Investigation, comes in. Their story is one of tenacity, ingenuity, and a steadfast commitment to educating homeowners and empowering them.

Since its modest beginnings in 2002, Habitation Investigation has grown into a one-stop shop for home inspections and related services, redefining industry standards through thorough documentation, ethical practices, and a dedication to empowering homeowners.

Jim and Laura Troth the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Habitation Investigation spoke exclusively to Business Fortune about how their company is setting a new standard for home inspections in the industry by providing top-notch service and education to their clients. Below is an excerpt from the interview.

Q. What was the series of events that led to the founding of Habitation Investigation?

Jim and Laura had recently moved when their realtor suggested that Jim consider a career in home inspections. Initially, Jim had never thought about it, but he became intrigued and decided to look into the field. He attended Hondros and started doing inspections in 2002. He began working part-time, and it took several years to grow the business to the point where he could transition to full-time work.

As his workload increased, Laura began assisting with office tasks. Together, they established systems to ensure consistent quality and excellent customer service. Their business continued to expand, and in 2013, they hired their first additional inspector. Since then, the company has continued to grow and now employs four additional inspectors, along with a full-time office manager to support Laura.

Q. Why did you start a specialized home inspection company to help home owners and buyers?

Jim and Laura both worked in the social services field, and helping people while making a difference is important to them. By owning their own company, they have the ability to assist individuals without needing approval or financing from others.

When they first started, they offered home inspections and reports on wood-destroying insects. Over time, all of their services have emerged from client requests for help. They take pride in educating and teaching buyers and homeowners about their properties and how to maintain them.

Because of this commitment to client education, they have developed into a one-stop shop for various services. They now provide specialized air testing, chimney and sewer inspections, as well as radon testing.

Q. How has Habitation Investigation grown since its founding? What part of trust and the company’s ethical business practices in providing home inspection services contributed to the company’s growth?

We prioritize thoroughness and factual accuracy without exaggerating issues. We do not alter reports or downplay problems; we simply present the facts as they are. Our reports are comprehensive, highlighting both issues and valuable teaching moments for our clients. Our inspectors are well-trained and share our commitment to educating our clients.

Not everyone can become an inspector in our company due to our high standards. We have a specific inspection sequence that all our inspectors follow, ensuring that every area of the house is thoroughly examined. We often receive calls from clients seeking a second inspection because the report they received from another company was insufficiently detailed.

Our reputation for fairness and honesty has made a significant impact on our clients and has contributed to our success today.

Q. What sets Habitation Investigation apart from other home inspection companies?

Our reports and inspections set us apart from other companies. We are thorough without being intimidating, and we take the time to educate our clients about the homes they are considering purchasing. Our inspectors are well-trained, and we have a robust system in place to train new inspectors. Those who do not meet our high standards do not become inspectors with us.

At Habitation Investigation, many of our clients remain with us for years. Many return to have us inspect their new homes when they are selling their current ones. Additionally, we often receive inquiries from clients wanting us to follow up on contractors' work to ensure they are not being taken advantage of or to ask for recommendations for trusted contractors. We also assist clients with questions or issues long after the inspection process, including matters involving insurance companies, roofs, and claims

Q. What are Habitation Investigation’s plans for the future?

Habitation Investigation is looking to hire new inspectors this year and would love to add three or four more members to our team. We are collaborating with a group of developers to create a much-needed new program for the home inspection industry. Additionally, we are working on several other interesting projects designed to enhance our systems, making them more efficient and beneficial for other home inspection companies.

Q. Would you like us to highlight something important happening in your company that we may have missed asking about?

We are excited to announce the addition of two sister companies. One specializes in larger commercial property inspections, while the other focuses on indoor air quality assessments. Both companies are built on the same systems and ethical standards that have made Habitation Investigation a standout in the industry. Keep an eye out for more information about Heartland Commercial Property Inspections and Environmental Consultants of Ohio in the coming year.

Leadership | Habitation Investigation

Jim Troth is a results-oriented professional with a diverse range of experiences. His background includes roles as a supervisor, mental health professional, sales representative, martial arts instructor, business owner and founder, as well as research experience. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Philosophy.

He has participated in mastermind groups that convene at various locations across the US and Canada. As both a presenter and participant, Jim contributes to these groups, which assist individuals in growing their businesses more quickly and effectively, while minimizing mistakes.

For the past eight years, Jim has been teaching continuing education (CE) courses to real estate agents.

Laura Troth is originally from Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies, from Penn State University. She worked as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) for 15 years before joining her husband Jim to help develop and expand Habitation Investigation.

Laura has also participated in mastermind groups and has served as a resource for other inspection companies. Like Jim, she has been teaching CE classes to real estate agents for approximately eight years. To enhance her skills, Laura has taken several speaking courses. She has begun to focus on indoor air quality and holds a mold assessor certification. Additionally, she is a certified microbial professional and is currently pursuing her Pro designation from Normi.

“We prioritize thoroughness and factual accuracy without exaggerating issues. We do not alter reports or downplay problems; we simply present the facts as they are. Our reports are comprehensive, highlighting both issues and valuable teaching moments for our clients.”