What Is In A Name

Meet “The Old Man”. Yea, that tough outer shell hides a soft heart. We have been instructed to limit our use of his name involving our new company Black Cat Inspection Services, LLC. The reason is complex as his name is closely connected with over 50 years of construction and inspections in North Carolina. With that his name has become controversial having to do with his positions concerning many things. As it relates to our subject, home and commercial building inspections, there are many in the industry who have disagreement with his methods and the idea that our clients best interest should come first before that of the transaction or others involved in the transaction. If that leads to the failure of a transaction, then that transaction should fail. We believe that is why we are hired, our goal, and fiduciary responsibility to those who book with us and pay our fees. Obviously, if you aren’t in agreement that our clients best interest, or yours if you are our client, should be our first, and primary concern, then you are considering the wrong inspectors. 

On years of consideration for taking this new step the choice of a name was a difficult decision. 

Then “The Old Man”, who disliked cats, was gifted ME. I changed his world, became his ever attentive companion and his choice as a name. Could it have anything to do that some judge

The Black Cat (Sable)

black cats as evil and are afraid of them, as many are of him. Possibly, but I think it had more to do with the attributes he observed in me. Inquisitive, attentive to detail, excellent vision, calm, tolerant, sensitivity to detail, introspective and aversion to conformity.

As we distance ourself from his name, as he is less involved with field inspections, and focus on our many other inspectors, he prepared and continues to prepare and train, we intend to provide the best possible inspection services available. Secondarily, as the original company was established as a one inspector sole proprietorship the structure no longer serves our best interest for future growth, transition and stability. Don’t fret “The Old Man” will remain around managing everything as we spread our services across a ever expanding territory. Be assured that no report is delivered without his vastly experienced eyes reviewing it. 

A little about our founder “The Old Man” who leads Black Cat Inspection Services, LLC. He literaly grew up in the construction industry. His mother often stated that he was “walking floor joist before level ground”. He began in the family business before becoming involved in the founding of what is now one of the largest, and most respected, commercial construction companies on the southeast coast. Upon leaving, as it’s president, and selling his interest he operated his own company with his lovely bride for 10 years. Closing that down became a project manager with another large company in preparation for taking the reins and becoming it’s president. In the process he decided that no longer interested him and founded the predecessor to Black Cat. He was involved with that company for 25 years, 20 of it working
alone and 5 bringing in other inspectors. During that time he was involved in thousands of residential and commercial inspections. For a few years, during a slow time, he conducted inspections as a contract REAC inspector for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is currently active as a contract compliance inspector for the Special Adaptive Housing Special Housing Adaptation division of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Yea, “The Old Man” has been around the block a few times. 

Next phase for “The Old Man”? Authoring books on inspection and construction and a novel has been rolling around in his head for decades and needs to move to realtiy.