Business Details
46 Years
experience
Trusted Home & Commercial Property Inspections in Raleigh, NC
Founded in 1980, Steve Smallman Property Inspections revolutionized North Carolina's home inspection industry by establishing the state's first full-time inspection service. Our team of eight licensed inspectors, including certified radon technicians, pest control operators, and professional engineers, has completed over 40,000 inspections while maintaining rigorous adherence to ASHI and InterNACHI standards. We prioritize client needs through comprehensive residential and commercial inspections, including specialized services like mold testing, septic system evaluations, and radon gas analysis.Our commitment to transparency is demonstrated through detailed digital reports delivered within 24 hours, featuring photographic documentation and actionable recommendations. As industry pioneers, we helped shape North Carolina's home inspection licensing standards and continue serving Raleigh and surrounding areas with unmatched expertise. Our client-centric approach combines decades of local market knowledge with advanced technical certifications to deliver reliable, actionable insights for property buyers and sellers.
Services
Home Inspections
Radon Testing
Mold Analysis
Septic System Inspections
Water Testing
Commercial Property Inspections
New Construction Inspections
11-Month Warranty Inspections
Maintenance Inspections
Wood-Destroying Insect Inspections
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- Established North Carolina's first full-time inspection service in 1980
- Team includes licensed contractors, engineers, and certified specialists
- Completed 40,000+ inspections with thousands of 5-star reviews
- Digital reports with photographic documentation delivered within 24 hours
- Helped shape NC home inspection licensing standards and ethics codes
Associations and certifications
- ASHI
- InterNACHI
What people say
Thorough job
Outstanding performance
Best home inspectors
Prompt and professional
Trustworthy alternatives
Services
Home Inspections
Our comprehensive home inspections examine all major property systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural components. Certified inspectors use advanced tools to identify potential issues with roofs, foundations, and interior systems. Clients receive detailed reports with photographic evidence and repair recommendations within 24 hours.
Radon Testing
We conduct EPA-recommended radon testing to detect harmful levels of this odorless, colorless gas. Our certified technicians use specialized equipment to measure indoor radon concentrations and provide clear results with mitigation recommendations when necessary. Testing follows strict protocol to ensure accurate readings for residential and commercial properties.
Mold Analysis
Our non-invasive mold inspections identify moisture issues and potential mold growth in hidden areas. We perform air and surface sampling to determine spore concentrations and provide laboratory analysis. Reports include remediation guidance and prevention strategies to protect property integrity and occupant health.
Septic System Inspections
Certified inspectors evaluate septic tank functionality, drain field condition, and system compliance. We check for leaks, blockages, and structural damage using specialized cameras and probes. Our assessments help property owners understand maintenance needs and prevent costly failures through early detection.
Commercial Inspections
We perform detailed commercial property assessments covering structural components, mechanical systems, and site infrastructure. Our inspections meet ASTM standards for property condition assessments and include cost estimates for necessary repairs. Services extend to Phase 1 environmental assessments and specialized system evaluations for commercial buildings statewide.
People
Steve Smallman
Founder & Licensed Inspector
Industry pioneer who established North Carolina's first full-time inspection service in 1980. Served as chair of the NC Home Inspector Licensure Board and helped develop state inspection standards. Holds multiple certifications including ASHI and InterNACHI.
Mike Thorne
Licensed Inspector
Certified home inspector with dual expertise in residential and commercial property assessments. Maintains active licenses in multiple specialty areas and participates in ongoing professional development to stay current with building code updates and inspection technologies.
Joel Hobby
Professional Engineer
Licensed professional engineer providing structural analysis expertise for complex property inspections. Combines engineering principles with practical field experience to deliver technically sound assessments of building systems and components.
Gary Sutton
Licensed Inspector
Certified inspector specializing in new construction evaluations and 11-month warranty inspections. Focuses on identifying construction defects during critical warranty periods to protect homeowner investments through detailed phase inspections.
Walt Cooper
Licensed Inspector
Experienced inspector with specialization in environmental testing services including radon detection, water quality analysis, and mold assessment. Maintains certifications in multiple testing methodologies to provide comprehensive property health evaluations.
Questions
What services does Steve Smallman Property Inspections offer?
We provide comprehensive home inspections, radon testing, mold analysis, septic system evaluations, water quality testing, and commercial property inspections.
How quickly do you deliver inspection reports?
Digital reports with photographic documentation are guaranteed within 24 hours of your inspection completion.
Do you service areas outside Raleigh?
Our residential team serves 17+ Triangle-area cities while commercial inspections cover all of North Carolina.
What makes your inspectors qualified?
Our team holds multiple certifications including ASHI/InterNACHI standards, engineering licenses, and specialized testing credentials.
Can you perform new construction inspections?
Yes, we offer phased inspections for new construction including slab, frame, and final reviews to ensure quality builds.
Reviews (6)
Patti G.
Jan 31, 2022
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After having concerns regarding our home inspection the owner Steve came to our home personally to address and discuss w us. It was extremely responsive and took ownership of the issues we had. I cannot say enough about this company and the owner. We will only use them moving forward!!
Peggy Walters
Oct 31, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality
Steve Smallman was recommended to us, and we would recommend them to anyone else after working with them. Steve and Joel were friendly, thorough, and very informative. It was very easy to book an appointment on their website, even though we were looking for a specific inspector.
Steve Smallman was recommended to us, and we would recommend them to anyone else after working with them. Steve and Joel were friendly, thorough, and very informative. It was very easy to book an appointment on their website, even though we were looking for a specific inspector.
Kathy Driver
Oct 03, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Michael Thorne was professional, knowledgeable, courteous and helpful! Great to work with and happy to answer all my questions. He explained his findings and helped me to understand what I should be concerned about. Thanks for a great experience!
Michael Thorne was professional, knowledgeable, courteous and helpful! Great to work with and happy to answer all my questions. He explained his findings and helped me to understand what I should be concerned about. Thanks for a great experience!
Zachary Loncar
Sep 27, 2021
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Positive:Responsiveness
Steve and his team did a great job doing pre inspections on our home. Given the DD and competitive market we asked them to review properties for any major red flags during our walkthroughs. This gave us the confidence we needed to put down a winning offer,
Steve and his team did a great job doing pre inspections on our home. Given the DD and competitive market we asked them to review properties for any major red flags during our walkthroughs. This gave us the confidence we needed to put down a winning offer,
Elise Je
Sep 25, 2021
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I can highly recommend Steve Smallman Property Inspections. Even in this crazy market and with so little time to assess now, Steve made miracles happen and was able to have one of his people do the inspection within 48 hours. The report was very detailed, plenty of time was given for the onsite inspection, and I was able to confidently go ahead and make an offer. So thankful and so grateful, would definitely use their services again!
Megan Bright
Sep 23, 2021
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Walt Cooper was my inspector, and he was so great. Walt meticulously went through the house, and then sat with me to go over the entire report. He understood the inspection report could be overwhelming and was patient and helpful with all of my questions. He didn't rush to get through anything and made sure I understood everything that was going on, in terms I could understand. Would highly recommend!
