About Trailblazer Home Inspections - Minnesota Home Inspectors
After retiring from the military, I continued working in the housing industry through residential construction, remodeling, and home repair. I worked with several contracting companies and later served for several years as the General Manager of a large local plumbing company, overseeing daily operations, service teams, and customer satisfaction. These roles gave me valuable hands-on insight into how homes are built, maintained, and repaired.
Today, I combine my military background, construction experience, and management leadership to perform thorough inspections of structural components, roofing systems, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC equipment, and other critical areas of the home. Every inspection is conducted with a focus on accuracy, transparency, and clear communication so clients fully understand the condition of the property.
Having inspected homes throughout the Twin Cities Metro area, Dakota County, and Southern Minnesota—including Farmington, Lakeville, Rosemount, Apple Valley, Burnsville, and surrounding communities—I’m familiar with the construction styles and common issues found in Minnesota homes. This local knowledge helps ensure inspections are practical, thorough, and focused on the issues that matter most to buyers and homeowners.
At Trailblazer Home Inspections, the mission is simple: provide thorough inspections, clear reporting, and dependable service so every client has the information they need to move forward with confidence.
As a Certified Home Inspector in Minnesota and the founder of Trailblazer Home Inspections, I proudly serve the Twin Cities Metro area and Southern Minnesota. As a veteran-owned business based in Farmington, MN, I take pride in providing thorough, honest home inspections that help buyers, sellers, and homeowners make confident decisions about their property.
I retired after 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, where attention to detail, accountability, and precision were essential every day. I began my career as an aircraft maintenance technician, responsible for ensuring complex systems operated safely and reliably. Later, I advanced to the role of Inspector General, where I conducted inspections and evaluations to ensure programs, processes, and operations met strict standards and regulations. That experience developed the disciplined inspection mindset I bring to every home inspection today.
Certifications & Qualifications
Community Involvement
Trailblazer Home Inspections is proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Farmington. We believe in giving back to the local community and building lasting relationships with homeowners throughout Minnesota.
Proud Member of the Rotary Club of Farmington
| The Question | Typical Home Inspection | Trailblazer Standards | How We’re Different |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are townhouse common areas checked? | ❌ | ✅ | We inspect shared spaces just like single-family homes. |
| Do inspectors walk on roofs? | ❌ | ✅ | When safe, we carefully walk roofs for a thorough inspection. |
| Are sinks and bathtubs filled? | ❌ | ✅ | Filling fixtures reveals plumbing issues that basic checks miss. |
| Water softeners inspected? | ❌ | ✅ | We verify softeners using hard water test strips. |
| Exhaust fans tested? | ❌ | ✅ | We confirm exhaust fans are working as designed. |
| Are all outlets and switches tested? | ❌ | ✅ | We test all accessible outlets and switches, not just one per room. |
| Do they report expired smoke/CO alarms? | ❌ | ✅ | We note smoke and CO alarms that appear beyond their 10-year lifespan. |
| Carbon monoxide testing? | ❌ | ✅ | We use combustion analyzers for furnaces, boilers, and gas fireplaces. |
| Furnace performance checked? | ❌ | ✅ | We ensure furnaces produce safe, consistent heat. |
| AC performance checked? | ❌ | ✅ | We test air conditioners when outdoor temperatures allow for safe and accurate operation. |
| Whole-house ventilation inspected? | ❌ | ✅ | We inspect air exchangers even though standards exclude them. |
| Doors and windows inspected? | ❌ | ✅ | All accessible doors and windows are checked, not just a sample. |
| Laundry appliances inspected? | ❌ | ✅ | We test laundry appliances which standard inspections skip. |
| Attics walked/crawled? | ❌ | ✅ | We inspect attics thoroughly, unlike most inspectors. |
| Known environmental hazards? | ❌ | ✅ | We report visible hazards and provide recommendations. |
| Infrared inspection? | ❌ | ✅ | We include infrared scans on every inspection to catch hidden issues. |
| Moisture meter testing? | ❌ | ✅ | Moisture meters help us detect hidden water problems early. |
| Are permits on the home searched? | ❌ | ✅ | We verify with the city to determine whether any permits remain open on the property. If open permits are identified, this information is promptly communicated to both the buyer and involved real estate agents to help ensure they are properly resolved before closing. We also confirm if any updates or improvements made to the home were completed with the appropriate permits. |
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors – InterNACHI® -is the world’s largest trade organization of residential and commercial property inspectors.
InterNACHI® and InterNACHI® School are recognized, approved, and accredited by more than 100 state, government and non-government agencies as the inspection industry’s largest provider of online education for home inspectors, contractors, and real estate agents.
https://www.nachi.org/
Contact us
In need of a certified home inspection or have a question, please reach out to us.
Email: chris@trailblazerinspections.com
Phone: 612-425-9500