2026 Survey Results

Our 2026 Home Inspection Industry Survey results are in! With roughly 200 respondents ranging from solo operators to large multi-inspector firms, the results highlight an industry in transition—balancing the need for better technology with the practical challenges of daily operations.

Here’s a quick look at the results:

1. Who are today’s Home Inspectors?

The survey reached a diverse group of professionals. The majority of respondents are Sole Proprietors, followed by Multi-Inspector Firm Owners. This blend of perspectives ensures our results reflect both the "boots on the ground" and the strategic "office view."

In terms of volume, the industry is split. While a large portion of offices handle 101–300 inspections annually, there is a significant group of high-volume firms performing over 500 inspections per year.

2. The Software Struggle: Integration vs. All-in-One

Technology is the backbone of the modern inspection office. The results were evenly split between using an "All-in-One" platform versus an “Integrated Stack” model (integrating multiple platforms that each handle different business needs).

Despite the rise of all-in-one tools, "Double Entry" — the tedious task of typing the same data into two different systems — remains a major friction point. 55% of inspectors say their data flows perfectly, however for the other half of inspectors, frequent or occasional manual data entry is a significant time-sink.

3. Growth Through Add-Ons

One of the most revealing stats involves how businesses handle "add-on" services like Radon, Mold, or WDO testing.

• 60% of inspectors still rely on Manual Upselling (calling or emailing the client to update the invoice).
• Only 24% have automated this process, using systems that suggest add-ons based on property data.

This represents a massive opportunity for efficiency; firms that automate their upselling can increase their revenue-per-inspection without increasing administrative labor.

4. What Keeps Inspectors Up at Night?

When asked what they "dread" most, the answers were loud and clear: Scheduling and accounting and/or chasing payments. So, what stops inspectors from switching to better, more automated tools? The survey identified two primary hurdles:

1. Downtime: The fear that the time required to train staff on a new system will disrupt current business.
2. Data Migration: The worry of losing years of historical client and inspection data.

5. The Critical Workflow: The Desktop Advantage

While mobile apps are great for the field, the survey found that the laptop/desktop is still king for the finish line. 47% of respondents cited the "Final review of report flow and layout" as the most critical task performed on a computer. This suggests that while inspectors are "mobile-first" for data collection, they remain "detail-first" on the desktop to ensure professional-grade delivery.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The data shows an industry that is ready for more automation but cautious about the "switching cost." The inspectors who will thrive in the coming years are those who can:

• Eliminate Double Entry: Move toward truly integrated or all-in-one systems.
• Automate Revenue: Move from manual upselling to automated service suggestions.
• Streamline the Review: Focus on tools that make the final report review faster and more intuitive.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's survey! Your insights are helping shape the future of inspection technology.