Know Your Home from Roof to Foundation

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Higher Rock Inspections LLC

Serving Cookeville and the surrounding Upper Cumberland Region, Higher Rock Inspections is your source for quality home inspection services. With a focus on reliability, professionalism, and customer satisfaction, I provide a detailed inspection and report that you can rely on. For the best inspection at a fair price, look no further than Higher Rock Inspections!

My service area includes Alexandria, Algood, Baxter, Bloomington Springs,  Byrdstown, Carthage, Celina, Clarkrange, Cookeville, Crossville, Dodson Branch, Gainesboro, Gordonsville, Granville, Jamestown, Lafayette, Livingston, McMinnville, Monterey, Rickman, Sparta, Smithville, Watertown, & more! I offer a variety of services including Home Buyer Inspections, Move-In Certified Seller Inspections, 11th Month Warranty Inspections, Annual Maintenance Inspections, New Home Inspections, Pre-Drywall Inspections, Manufactured Homes, Insurance Inspections, and Thermal Imagery Inspections.

Meet Your Inspector

Greetings! I’m John, hailing from Cookeville, Tennessee. I grew up in rural East Tennessee and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am a born-again Christian and have been married to my wonderful wife, Cindy, since 2008. Our marriage has been blessed with 5 children – a verifiable handful!

My qualifications include certification as an InterNACHI Professional Certified Home Inspector and a licensed home inspector with the State of Tennessee. I am also fully insured with E&O and General Liability Insurance. InterNACHI is the world’s largest residential and commercial inspection association and the only home inspector school accredited by a national accrediting agency of the U.S. Department of Education.

My inspections are non-invasive, visual inspections of properties and the systems and components within a home. Properties are inspected in accordance with the Tennessee Standards of Practice for licensed home inspectors. A description of functionality of systems and defects that I observe, along with recommendations for repair, monitoring, or further evaluation, will be provided in a detailed, professional report that is populated following the inspection and delivered to you in a timely manner- usually within 24 hours! From start to finish, my best inspection will give you what you need to make a confident decision!

Thorough inspections

Timely Reports

Realtor-approved

Competitive rates

Home Inspections Tailored To You

No matter the property size or condition, we bring expertise and attention to detail to every inspection. Whether it’s a starter home, new construction, or a historic charmer, we’ve got you covered.

Spaces/Systems We Inspect

Grounds

Exterior

Roofs & Attics

Interior

Electrical Systems

Plumbing Systems

HVAC Systems

Foundations & Structures

Basement/Crawlspace

Types of Inspections We Offer

  • Buyer’s Inspection
  • Seller’s Pre-Listing Inspections
  • 11th-Month Warranty Inspections
  • Annual Maintenance Inspections
  • New Home Inspections
  • Pre-Drywall Inspections
  • 4-Point Inspections
  • Insurance Inspections
  • Manufactured Home Inspections
  • Thermal Imagery Inspections

We don’t just inspect homes, we educate our clients so they can make informed decisions, save on costly repairs, and negotiate the best sales price! Here are some examples of what our clients discovered thanks to our inspections:

Inspection Photos

The wrong inspector can miss problems that drain your wallet later.

One overlooked issue, like a worn and leaky roof, faulty wiring, or a cracked foundation, can turn your dream home into a money pit. Since you’re investing so much into your purchase, you deserve an inspection that catches what really matters.

We help homeowners, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals get clear, comprehensive inspection reports they can trust.

  • No rushed checklists
  • No hurried inspections

Just honest reporting from a licensed, experienced inspector you can rely on.

Roofer using nail gun for shingle installation on residential roof.

Go from property hunting to smart buying with ease

1. Book Your Inspection

Request a quote and lock in your inspection date; we’ll handle the scheduling details.

2. We Inspect Thoroughly

On inspection day, your inspector will show up on time and carefully check every major system of the home.

3. Get a clear report

Typically within 24 hours or the next business day if on Friday, you’ll have a detailed, easy-to-read report that gives you confidence in your decision.

A contemporary brick-faced residential home with a 'sold' sign in the window.

Got Questions?

We’re happy to help. If you can’t find the info you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Call us (931) 303-8385

My typical home inspection lasts between 3-4 hours. I want to ensure that I provide you with the most comprehensive inspection possible. 

The report will not be completed onsite, aside from documenting observations and taking plenty of pictures, so that I can focus my attention on inspecting the systems and components of your home. I am always available during and after the inspection to answer any questions you may have! 

No, but you are certainly welcome! Most often, I encourage my clients to show up near the end of my inspection or at the wrap-up so that I can share what I’ve found and answer their questions. This provides opportunity for the client to see the issues firsthand, be better prepared for what he or she will see in the inspection report, and get a head start on pricing repair costs and negotiating with the seller.

If you are unable to make it, we have you covered with a detailed report and high-quality photographs to explain my findings! Also, you are always welcome to call and discuss your report findings. My goal is that you and your family be informed and comfortable with your decision moving forward!

I will examine your home from top to bottom, including all its major systems and components, in accordance with the Tennessee Standards of Practice for home inspectors. This includes: interior and exterior features (e.g., property features, decks, walkways, walls and cladding, ceilings, windows, doors, etc.) ; HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning); basement, crawlspace, and visible structural components; fireplace or stove; roof, attic, and insulation; electrical; and plumbing system. 

While I often use technology and tools to better identify issues, a home inspection is by definition a visual, non-invasive inspection of the home. That means I will not be able to see inside the walls or behind furniture, beneath rugs, or inside inaccessible spaces (e.g., locked rooms). Even on inspections where I utilize thermal imaging, views are limited to the surface of objects.

To the extent possible, furniture should be moved away from walls, doors unlocked, and personal items removed before the scheduled home inspection. Any inaccessible systems, components, or areas will be noted in the report with a proper explanation as to why they could not be inspected.

Your report will provide a description of the major home systems, their components, and their operability, and will provide recommendations and detailed descriptions and photographs of any concerns or defects that I observe. I will especially highlight any conditions or potential concerns with systems or components that can be costly to repair or their failure could result in a safety concern.

It is important to understand distinctions in the classifications of defects that you could see in your report. For example, safety issues and major defects are ones that you will want to address as quickly as possible and they may require a professional contractor, electrician, HVAC technician, etc., to make the repairs. These tend to be costlier than repairs on minor defects that can often be made by the homeowner. Cosmetic defects are aesthetic issues such as a stain in the carpet or a scratch on the kitchen cabinet that do not affect the functionality of the component or system.

My reports are typically delivered within 24 hours of completing the inspection or the next working day if the inspection occurs on Friday.  I take care to clearly explain my observations and provide appropriate recommendations for repair, further assessment, or monitoring in my reports. Furthermore, I encourage my clients to reach out to me as I am always available to answer your questions!

An Infrared Scan is a non-destructive testing technique that uses thermal imaging to detect temperature variations on surfaces. This scan can provide valuable information that would be extremely difficult or otherwise impossible to obtain with an ordinary visual, non-invasive home inspection.

Infrared cameras detect radiation or heat that is emitted from objects and surfaces. This difference in temperatures can help inspectors identify areas of insulation voids, heat loss, moisture intrusion, and electrical defects. Infrared provides the home inspector clues that, utilized in conjunction with other tools (e.g., moisture meter, multimeter, etc.), can help detect issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Specifically, Infrared technology can help to identify:

  • Energy Loss: Detecting areas where insulation may be inadequate.
  • Moisture Issues: Locating leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing.
  • Electrical systems: Identifying potential safety issues associated with breakers and wiring in an electrical panel, wire bundle, or outlet.
  • HVAC Problems: Finding inefficiencies in heating and cooling systems.