Our History

HouseMaster founder Ken Austin had a burning desire to own his own business. In the late 1960s, he began researching the idea of home inspections.

Ken saw the home inspection as a valuable service for home buyers like himself who often felt they were making real estate decisions based on very limited information. As a successful marketing professional, Ken knew that with a quality technical program and the right promotion, the home inspection could become an integral part of real estate transactions across North America.

Establishing National Standards

In 1971 Ken began an independent home inspection company in New Jersey. In 1975, Ken contacted other home inspectors to develop a national trade society which would provide standards of practice for the home inspection industry. By mid-1976, Ken became one of the founding fathers of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI®).

After developing a successful multi-inspector home inspection business, Ken decided to take his model to the national level. In 1979 he created HouseMaster ®, Home Inspections. Done Right., which remains the first and oldest home inspection franchise system in North America.

Continuing the Vision

The HouseMaster System continues the vision that Ken started. With the most experienced and professional support staff in the industry the HouseMaster name continues to represent quality and leadership. HouseMaster remains a family owned and operated organization and sees their franchisees as part of the HouseMaster family.

HouseMaster is proud to have launched the following industry firsts:

• 1st To Utilize National TV Advertising
• 1st To Develop A National Internet Presence
• 1st To Require Comprehensive E&O Insurance
• 1st To Offer Referral Liability Protection
• 1st To Offer An On-Site Written Inspection Report
• 1st To Develop A National Inspector Training Program (NIBI®)
• 1st National Home Inspection Organization To Provide A Written Guarantee
• 1st To Offer A Free Customer Newsletter
• 1st To Develop Web based Proprietary Software System
• 1st To Implement a Local Public Relations Program

Click here for HouseMaster Fact Sheet and Company Background (PDF)