Today we’d like to introduce you to David Aprea.
Hi David, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I retired early from a career in teaching back in 2015 and spent the next several years pursuing other things, including home remodeling projects and deck building. My interest in homes eventually led me into the home inspection industry, where I worked for an established inspection company, gaining a lot of hands-on training and valuable experience. During that time, I became a fully licensed inspector in Tennessee.
While I enjoyed the work, I realized I’d be happier building my own home inspection business—one where I could provide the level of personal service I believe home buyers deserve while having the freedom to set my own schedule and better balance my time between work and family. That’s what led me to start Rockford Home Inspections.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has taken longer than I originally imagined to build a steady workflow. Many home buyers rely on their real estate agent’s recommendation when selecting a home inspector, and many agents and brokerages already have established relationships with inspection companies they’ve worked with for years. Those companies are often larger firms with multiple inspectors and hundreds of Google reviews. Building those relationships takes time.
To grow my business, I spend several hours most weekends visiting open houses and meeting local real estate agents. I also attend lots of business networking events and do a lot of social media promotion. Fortunately, it’s paying off!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rockford Home Inspections?
Rockford Home Inspections is a full-service home inspection company. I personally perform every home inspection and also offer termite inspections, radon testing, and sewer scopes as optional services. Thermal imaging is included at no additional charge with every home inspection. These services can be added with just a couple of clicks when scheduling an inspection through my website. I also make sure my online reports are emailed same day. Something new I started is a “Pay at Close” option, which allows buyers to defer payment for their inspection until closing, making it part of their closing costs. It’s getting quite popular.
One of the things that sets me apart is that I’m completely independent and personally perform every inspection. I’m very thorough, and I’m never rushed. In fact, I typically schedule only one inspection per day. When someone hires me, they know exactly who will be inspecting their home. I believe that level of accountability leads to a better inspection and a better overall experience.
I think I’m a good communicator as well, and that’s a big part of my job. My goal is to provide clear, unbiased information so buyers can make informed decisions. Every home has defects—some are minor, while others are more significant. I take pride in explaining my findings in plain English so clients understand what they’re buying and what repairs or maintenance may be needed.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’d say my most important qualities are integrity, thoroughness and the ability to communicate effectively.
Pricing:
- My average home inspection fee is between $450 – $550 depending on the size of the home.
- Additional services such as termite inspections, radon testing, and sewer scopes range from $99 to $250.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rockfordhomeinspections.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rockfordinspections
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/rockfordhomeinspections
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@rockford.home.insp
