“Premier” Home Inspection Service Lives up to Its Name
For Bob James, owner of Premier Home Inspection Service in Salem, Oregon, the path to owning the company is a classic case of being in the right place at the right time.
Before becoming a home inspector, James ran a construction business for several years. But the work was hard on his body, so his wife, Shelley, encouraged him to pursue a less physically demanding career.
“I decided to work as a building inspector for nearby cities and counties needing building inspections. But after I got my associate’s degree in Building Inspection Technology, there were no jobs waiting for me,” James said.
As it happened, the couple was buying a house around the same time. Their real estate agent hired Premier Home Inspection Service to do the home inspection.
“When Bob was at the house during the inspection, he got to talking with the owner of the company and discovered that he was looking for another inspector. So Bob got the job as a home inspector,” Shelley explained.
Long story short, a few years later the owner decided to retire and sold the business to James and his wife. James and his inspectors do the inspections, while Shelley handles the marketing.
In 2015, Premier Home Inspection Service conducted 823 home and commercial building inspections, most of them home inspections. The firm serves Salem and the entire Willamette Valley.
Growing the Business
The business was already thriving when James and Shelley bought it, and they’ve kept it growing by emphasizing great customer service and offering extra services that set them apart from competitors, at no additional cost beyond the inspection itself.
At the time of this 2019 article, those free services included MoldSafe, a mold protection plan; SewerGard, a sewer inspection plan; a free 5-year Platinum Roof Protection Plan; RecallChek, a program offering free manufacturer repairs on any built-in appliance or HVAC product that is recalled; and a complimentary Total Home Support gift membership, which includes a 24/7 property emergency hotline, an “Ask the Experts” mobile app, a concierge utility service, and other benefits. Additional paid services include radon and asbestos testing.
Premier Home Inspection Service also maintains strong relationships with real estate agents and asks for their feedback on the services they’d like to offer homebuyers. For example, when the company was considering buying a sewer scope for sewer inspections, it asked agents for input and learned that while plumbers typically offer this service, they also have an incentive to find something to repair.
“They told us it would be nice if we could do the sewer inspections instead of a plumber because we’re not biased in the results,” Shelley noted.
Moisture Intrusion
James says moisture intrusion is one of the worst problems he and his inspectors find during an inspection. Whether it’s from leaking plumbing, a leaking roof, or even a clogged air conditioner drain line, too much moisture can let mold and mildew grow. That can discolor and damage a property, cause the musty odor associated with mold, and even cause health problems.
Excess moisture can also raise humidity levels inside a building, making it feel damp and uncomfortable, and cause wood to swell, warp, or even rot, weakening the structure.
“Although we don’t inspect for mold, we do air samples or swab sample testing for mold as needed,” says Shelley.
“Our inspectors can give our clients a good idea whether mold may be present, based on experience, but they always advise that suspected mold growth be tested first to verify its presence. We can test for mold when requested. If we verify its presence, we can recommend local companies who do mold remediation,” she adds.
Free Download – Is a Pin or Pinless Moisture Meter Best For You?
When it comes to testing for moisture intrusion, Premier Home Inspection Service inspectors use a Wagner pinless meter.
“When we bought this company, the previous owner was already using the Wagner BI2200* moisture meter. And since this meter is durable and very reliable, we continued using it,” Shelley notes.
“We also like it for other reasons. Because it’s pinless, our inspectors aren’t poking damaging holes in our clients’ walls and flooring materials which happens when you use a pin meter.
“And besides measuring lots of different materials, it has a Press and Hold feature that makes it real easy to take readings in tight places like beneath sinks or under cabinets without having to actually see the display. Once our inspectors remove the meter, they can easily document the readings,” she adds.
*The BI2200 is no longer available. For home and building inspections, we recommend the Orion® 950.
Value-Added Services
Going the extra mile is what separates a great customer experience from an ordinary one. For Premier Home Inspection Service, that includes offering several value-added services and encouraging clients to talk with their inspector.
“Besides the various warranties and extra services we provide, we encourage clients to be present for the inspection and to ask the inspector any and all questions. And before the inspector leaves, he carefully reviews all his findings with the client.
“We also leave them a book that we supply at no charge covering extensive maintenance tips. This is especially helpful for first-time homebuyers and any client who needs that kind of help.”
“We’re always striving to give value to our clients, and we do it with passion and a smile,” Shelley said.
Wagner Meters is a family-owned American business that aims to provide solutions in moisture measurement technology that will enhance the quality and value of each customer’s project. With an almost 60-year legacy of innovation, Wagner continues to be a resource for both individual craftsmen and high-performance commercial endeavors.
Last updated on October 13th, 2026
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