Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Desmond.
Hi Sean, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t land in home inspection by accident—this was built on years of hands-on experience and a pretty diverse background.
Right out of college, I worked in construction through the union, and for the past 20 years, I’ve stayed involved in construction in one way or another—flipping houses, taking on major projects, and really learning how homes are put together and where things can go wrong.
At the same time, I took a different professional path. I earned a degree in Computer Information Systems and a master’s in Project Management, and I spent close to 20 years working on large-scale data center buildouts and migrations. Those were complex, detail-driven environments that trained me to analyze systems, manage risk, and catch things most people overlook.
I also grew up on a farm, which probably shaped me the most. As a kid, I was always taking things apart and putting them back together just to understand how they worked—and that mindset never left.
But after years in the corporate world, I started to realize something—at least in the environments I was in, there wasn’t a lot of loyalty. Raises and promotions were always talked about but rarely followed through. Management constantly changed. And at the end of the day, everything I was doing was building something for someone else.
I wanted a change. I wanted to do something that actually helped people—something where I could protect people and make a real impact.
So I started researching.
For about a year to a year and a half, I’d sit down late at night building out business ideas—writing plans, mapping out services, thinking through marketing. I probably went through 50 to 100 different concepts before I landed on home inspection. It just fit everything—my construction background, my technical mindset, and my attention to detail.
Once I made that decision, I went all in. I got certified and started working inspections part-time—nights and weekends—while still in my corporate job. Eventually, I got to the point where I was making as much on nights and weekends as I was in my full-time corporate role… after spending about $100,000 on an education that never really paid off in that world.
But it started paying off when I built something of my own.
I had people question the move. I was told not to leave corporate—that there was no money in it. But after my last layoff, I made the decision to open my schedule full-time. Because of the foundation I had already built, I had people booking inspections every single day.
In my first month, I made double what I had ever made in a corporate job.
That was the moment I knew—I was done with corporate for good.
Since then, I’ve gone all in on building my business. It’s not just a career to me—it’s something I’ve built from the ground up. It’s mine. And more importantly, it allows me to actually help people make informed decisions on one of the biggest purchases of their lives.
That’s what makes it worth it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road—especially in the beginning.
The first few years, really the first three years, were a constant up-and-down. A lot of it came down to marketing. I’d try one approach, think it was going to work, and then realize pretty quickly that it wasn’t bringing in what I expected.
One of the biggest challenges was figuring out who to trust. Early on, I worked with a lot of marketing companies—probably 20 or so. Some required long-term contracts, 12 months or more, and that was a hard lesson. I found myself paying more each month than I was actually bringing in from the leads they provided.
What I started to realize is that a lot of those services weren’t really working for me—they were working for themselves. They’d generate leads and sell them to multiple inspectors at the same time. So if you weren’t the first one to respond, you didn’t get the job. It turned into a race, and most of the time, you were just paying to compete.
That’s when I made a big shift.
Because of my background in technology, I started digging into what they were actually doing. And once I understood it, I realized I could do it better myself. So I made the decision to stop relying on those companies altogether. I don’t sign marketing contracts anymore—period.
I took over my own marketing, managed everything myself, and treated it like a system that needed to be monitored and adjusted daily. That changed everything. Once I had control over it, I was able to scale my business in a way those companies never could.
Looking back, those struggles were frustrating at the time, but they forced me to learn the business side of things at a deeper level. And that’s ultimately what allowed me to grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of Metro One Home Inspection, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At the core, my business is built around helping people fully understand the home they’re about to buy.
I offer a wide range of services including home inspections, termite inspections, pool inspections, mold testing, radon testing, and sewer scopes. The goal is to give clients a complete picture—not just one piece of it. We’re also continuing to expand into additional services so we can keep adding more value and cover even more areas that matter during a real estate transaction.
What I’m really known for is being thorough.
I don’t believe in rushing through an inspection or just checking boxes. For most people, this is one of the largest purchases they’ll ever make, and they deserve to know exactly what they’re walking into. My approach is to take the time, dig into the details, and explain things in a way that actually makes sense—not just hand over a report full of technical language.
What sets me apart is the combination of backgrounds I bring into this. I have hands-on construction experience, years of working on homes and major projects, and a technical background from managing complex systems. That allows me to look at a house differently—both from how it was built and how all the components work together as a system.
Brand-wise, one of the things I’m most proud of is securing a trademark for my business name. I had multiple attorneys tell me it couldn’t be done, but instead of accepting that, I did the research myself, filed it on my own, and stayed with it through the entire process. Nearly two years later, I was able to successfully argue my case and get it approved. That really represents how I approach everything—if there’s a challenge, I’m going to figure it out.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that this business is built on doing things the right way. It’s about being detailed, being honest, and making sure clients feel confident in their decisions. That’s what everything is centered around.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The biggest piece of advice I can give is this—don’t expect it to be easy, and don’t expect it to happen fast.
When I first started, I thought if I did good work, the business would just come. That’s not how it works. Being good at the job is only part of it—you also have to understand marketing, branding, and how to actually get in front of people.
Another big one is don’t rely on other companies to build your business for you. I learned that the hard way. A lot of marketing services will promise results, but at the end of the day, no one is going to care about your business the way you do. The sooner you take control of that—whether it’s your ads, your website, or your reputation—the better off you’ll be.
I also wish I understood earlier how important consistency is. There will be slow periods. There will be times where you question everything. But if you stay consistent and keep improving, it compounds over time.
And honestly—be prepared for the mental side of it.
There will be people who try to tear you down. Whether they mean to or not, people will make comments, question what you’re doing, or tell you it won’t work. There will be times where it gets emotional and you feel like quitting.
That’s where you have to be your own cheerleader.
You have to remind yourself that you know what you’re doing. You have to believe that you’re good at it—even when things aren’t going your way. No one else is going to do that for you.
And probably the biggest thing—bet on yourself.
I had people tell me not to leave corporate, that there was no money in this, that it wasn’t a smart move. If I had listened to that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
If you’re willing to put in the time, push through the tough moments, and stay disciplined, it can absolutely pay off—but you have to commit to it.
Pricing:
- I would but out pricing changes yearly so maybe make a statement for pricing you can go here: https://metroonehomeinspection.com/book-an-inspection/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://metroonehomeinspection.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metroonehomeinspection/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/metroonehomeinspection
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metroonehomeinspection/?viewAsMember=true
- Twitter: https://x.com/MetroOneHomeIns
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnT9qThz9HWJdJChstbxamg
