Cookeville’s Most Thorough Home Inspector

Veteran-owned. Scientifically trained. Backed by InterNACHI’s $25,000 Honor Guarantee.

5-star ReviewS

Licensed & Certified

100% Satisfied clients

Not Just an Inspector. A Scientist With a Checklist.

Most home inspectors look at what’s visible. John Griffith looks at what it means.

With a background in ecology, electrical systems, forestry, and environmental inspection — and over 20 years of professional inspection experience across Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina — John brings a level of scientific rigor to every home inspection that simply isn’t available anywhere else in the Upper Cumberland region.

He’s inspected all types, designs, and sizes of homes. He’s reviewed thousands of infrastructure projects. He trained as an electrician on F-14 fighter jets in the U.S. Navy, where attention to detail wasn’t a preference — it was a requirement.

When John inspects your home, nothing gets missed.

Schedule Your Inspection Call (931) 303-8385

Inspection Services Built Around Your Needs

Whether you’re buying, selling, building new, or protecting what you already own — Higher Rock Inspections has you covered.

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Home Buyer Inspections

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Pre-Listing Inspections

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New Construction & Pre-Drywall

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11th Month Warranty Inspections

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Manufactured Home Inspections

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Thermal Imagery Scans

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Trained, Certified, and Held to the Highest Standard

John holds more InterNACHI certifications than most inspectors in Tennessee — covering every major system in your home, from the roof to the foundation, from the electrical panel to the drainage patterns around your property.

Tennessee Licensed Home Inspector
InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector (CPI)
18 InterNACHI Specialty Certifications
B.S. Wildlife & Fisheries Science — University of Tennessee
M.S. Business Management & Leadership — Webster University
U.S. Navy Veteran — Aviation Electrician, F-14 Fighter Jets
Backed by InterNACHI’s $25,000 Honor Guarantee

Learn More About John

Proudly Serving Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland Region

Higher Rock Inspections serves homebuyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across Putnam, Cumberland, Overton, Jackson, DeKalb, Smith, and White counties — including Cookeville, Crossville, Livingston, Gainesboro, Carthage, Smithville, and Sparta.

John’s environmental background makes him uniquely qualified for the rural properties, wooded lots, and high water table situations common across the Upper Cumberland — conditions that require more than a standard checklist.

What Your Neighbors Are Saying

John is very detailed in his reports and welcomes followup questions for clarity. He is respectful and personable, a good combo to have! I found his report informative to a home I have never seen in person. I would recommend to those looking for a home inspection.
Mitchell M.
John Griffith with Higher Rock Inspections far exceeded my expectations for my inspection. He is very thorough and detail oriented. As an owner of several rental properties I would strongly recommend John to anyone considering buying a house, either new or existing construction.
Tim S.
John Griffith with Higher Rock Inspections far exceeded my expectations for my inspection. He is very thorough and detail oriented. As an owner of several rental properties I would strongly recommend John to anyone considering buying a house, either new or existing construction.
Tim S.

Thorough inspections

Timely Reports

Realtor-approved

Competitive rates

My Best Inspection

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

Spaces/Systems I Inspect

Grounds

Exterior

Roofs & Attics

Interior

Electrical Systems

Plumbing Systems

HVAC Systems

Foundations & Structures

Basement/Crawlspace

Types of Inspections I 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

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Ready to Know Exactly What You’re Buying?

Don’t make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life without a thorough, reliable home inspection from someone who’s spent a career finding what others miss.

Schedule Your Inspection Schedule Your Inspection

Roofer using nail gun for shingle installation on residential roof.

Got Questions?

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

Call us (931) 303-8385

Schedule Your Inspection

My typical home inspection lasts between 3-6 hours, depending on the size of the home. I take my time and ensure that I provide you with the best inspection possible.

During the inspection, I will be documenting my observations and taking plenty of pictures. However, I will not be completing your report onsite. While I am at your property, my full attention is given to inspecting your home and answering any questions you have!

No, but you are certainly welcome! Most often, I encourage my customers 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 any questions. It is helpful to see the issues firsthand that you will see in the inspection report. Also, you can get a head start on pricing repairs 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 for 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).

Where possible, move furniture away from walls, unlock doors, and remove personal items before the scheduled home inspection. I will note any inaccessible systems, components, or areas in the report along with a proper explanation as to why they could not be inspected.

A Thermal Imagery Scan can be added to your home inspection as an additional service. This scan is a non-destructive testing technique that uses thermal imaging to detect temperature variations on surfaces. Thermal Imagery Scans provide valuable information that would be extremely difficult or otherwise impossible to obtain with an ordinary visual, non-invasive home inspection.

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

Specifically, a Thermal Imagery Scan can help to identify:

Energy Loss: Detecting areas where insulation may be inadequate.

Moisture Issues: Locating leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing.

Electrical Systems Failures: Identifying safety issues associated with breakers and wiring in an electrical panel, wire bundle, or outlet.

HVAC Problems: Finding inefficiencies in heating and cooling systems.

Your report will provide an overview of the major systems inspected, their components, and observable conditions of these systems at the time of the inspection. My report will provide detailed descriptions and photographs of any concerns or repair needs that I observe with appropriate recommendations. 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 issue.

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 (e.g., cleaning gutters, weatherstripping/caulking a door or accessible window, etc.). 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, but are nice to know about.

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 customers to reach out to me as I am always available to answer your questions!