Veteran-Owned House Inspection Franchise Blends Family and Service
Army Veteran Kevin Crane and his wife, Laurie (above), have built a family business with the home inspection franchise HouseMaster, which became a Neighborly® brand in 2020. Their son-in-law, Kyle Solomon, is their lead inspector, and “our hope is to eventually transition the operation and leadership of our business to our children,” Kevin says.
“We’ve built this business together,” he adds, “and Laurie truly is the glue that holds everything together. She serves as our administrative director, managing scheduling and all office operations with incredible dedication.” Serendipity led the Cranes to franchising more than two dozen years ago, when Kevin was doing corporate work “that didn’t align with my goals or aspirations,” he explains. “My introduction to this field came unexpectedly — during a simple visit to welcome a new neighbor. As I approached their home, I noticed two individuals wearing tool belts and matching shirts. Curious, I asked, ‘What are they doing?’ The reply was, ‘A home inspection.’ I responded, ‘What’s that?’
“That brief exchange sparked a six-month deep dive into the home inspection business. Laurie and I chose to invest in a HouseMaster franchise because of its reputation, success and strong emphasis on support and family. Family is everything to us — we’re close to our three daughters and three granddaughters. It was clear they weren’t just a franchise. They were a community focused on helping franchise owners thrive.”
Building a Business
On Sept. 1, 2001, the Cranes opened their Cogan Station, Pa., franchise, which serves Northern and Central Pennsylvania. Kevin credits his Army background (active duty 1981-1985 and Army Reserve 1985-1988) as playing a key role in the business’s success. “My time in the Army instilled in me the maturity, discipline, focus and drive that are essential for business ownership. The experience gave me the confidence to pursue my goals with purpose and resilience, ultimately empowering me to build a business I’m proud of.”
He draws parallels between franchising and the Army. “The structure of a franchise, much like the military, offers a strong foundation of support and shared knowledge. The franchise model provides proven systems and techniques that help us avoid the costly trial-and-error process. While experience is often called the best teacher, I’ve found that learning from others’ experiences is even better.”
Kevin predicts a bright future for his franchise under Neighborly’s umbrella. The transition period — getting used to a new owner after 20 years of operation — hit some bumps, he says, but “Neighborly ultimately has been a catalyst for growth and success. Moving from a small franchise development team to a larger, more diverse organization has expanded our vision and opened the door to new possibilities. The support and resources available through Neighborly have helped us dream bigger and achieve more. In the future, we’re confident Neighborly will be there to support us every step of the way.”
Why Choose HouseMaster?
Licensed in all 50 states and Canada, HouseMaster offers:
- Low startup costs that facilitate scaling.
- Attractive margins. In 2024 the average inspection fee was $582, and about a third of that amount goes to labor. Inspecting a 2,000-square-foot house typically takes two to three hours.
- An established brand. HouseMaster was founded in 1979 and now has more than 250 units; its support team has many decades of experience.
- An impressive 92% customer satisfaction rating.
- A rewarding career of helping consumers make informed choices on real estate deals.
Learn more about the HouseMaster franchise.
