HouseMaster Franchise Builds a Lasting Family Legacy

HouseMaster Franchise Creates a Multi-Generational Family Business

Veteran Entrepreneur Turns Home Inspection Franchise Into a Lasting Legacy

For Kevin Crane, franchising became more than a business opportunity. It became a path toward building a long-term family legacy centered around service, stability and entrepreneurship.

Kevin and his wife, Laurie, have spent more than two decades growing their HouseMaster franchise in Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, serving customers throughout Northern and Central Pennsylvania. What began as a career pivot eventually evolved into a family-operated business that now includes the next generation.

Their son-in-law, Kyle Solomon, currently serves as the lead inspector, while the family hopes to eventually transition leadership responsibilities to their children in the future.

Kevin says the company’s success has always been built around teamwork and family commitment. Laurie manages scheduling and oversees office operations as administrative director, playing a major role in keeping the business organized and customer-focused.

A Simple Conversation Sparked a Franchise Journey

Kevin’s introduction to the home inspection industry happened unexpectedly during a conversation with a new neighbor. At the time, he was working in a corporate role that no longer aligned with his personal goals or long-term ambitions.

During a visit to welcome the neighbor, Kevin noticed individuals wearing tool belts and branded shirts outside the property. After asking what they were doing, he learned they were conducting a home inspection.

That brief interaction led him into months of research about the industry and the franchise business model.

After exploring opportunities, Kevin and Laurie chose HouseMaster because of the company’s reputation, established systems and family-oriented culture. The couple felt the franchise offered more than operational support — it provided a strong sense of community among franchise owners.

Family remains a central part of the Cranes’ lives, with their three daughters and three granddaughters continuing to inspire the business they are building.

Military Experience Helped Shape Franchise Success

The Cranes officially launched their HouseMaster franchise on Sept. 1, 2001. Kevin believes his military background played a critical role in preparing him for entrepreneurship.

He served on active duty in the Army from 1981 to 1985 and later in the Army Reserve from 1985 to 1988. According to Kevin, the military helped develop the discipline, focus and resilience needed to operate a successful business.

He also sees similarities between military structure and franchising systems.

Kevin explains that both environments rely heavily on proven systems, shared knowledge and operational consistency. Rather than learning every lesson through costly trial and error, franchisees benefit from established processes and support from experienced professionals within the network.

That framework helped the Cranes confidently grow their business over the years while maintaining high service standards.

Neighborly Expansion Opened New Opportunities

HouseMaster became part of the Neighborly family of home service brands in 2020, creating new opportunities for franchisees across the system.

Kevin acknowledges the transition initially came with adjustments after operating for nearly 20 years under the previous structure. However, he says the larger organization ultimately created stronger momentum for growth.

The expanded support network, operational resources and broader leadership structure under Neighborly helped franchisees think bigger about the future of their businesses.

Kevin believes the additional infrastructure and long-term vision provided by Neighborly will continue supporting franchise owners as the brand evolves in the years ahead.

Why Entrepreneurs Continue Investing in HouseMaster

HouseMaster continues attracting franchise candidates looking for scalable home service opportunities with established operational systems.

The franchise operates throughout all 50 U.S. states and Canada, giving the brand broad recognition within the home inspection industry.

Several factors continue making the opportunity appealing for entrepreneurs:

Scalable Business Model

The business offers relatively low startup costs compared to many brick-and-mortar franchise concepts, allowing owners to scale operations more efficiently.

Strong Profit Potential

In 2024, the average inspection fee reached $582, while labor accounted for roughly one-third of that amount. A standard 2,000-square-foot home inspection generally takes between two and three hours to complete.

Established Industry Reputation

Founded in 1979, HouseMaster has grown to more than 250 franchise units. The company’s leadership and support teams bring decades of experience in the home inspection sector.

High Customer Satisfaction

The brand maintains a 92% customer satisfaction rating, reflecting strong consumer trust and service quality across the network.

Meaningful Community Impact

Franchisees help homebuyers and sellers make informed decisions during major real estate transactions, creating a service-oriented business with long-term relevance.

A Franchise Built Around Family and Service

As more entrepreneurs seek businesses that offer flexibility, scalability and long-term purpose, HouseMaster continues standing out within the home services franchise sector.

For the Crane family, the business represents far more than financial success. It reflects years of dedication, teamwork and a vision to create something meaningful that future generations can continue building upon.