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Success Stories

French Inspection

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Industry
Commercial & Residential Inspections
In Business Since
2006
Incentive Type
Business Improvement Grant

The building inspection process can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming. Tomball-based French Inspection is committed to making sure that is not the case for their customers. Utilizing modern technology and a client-focused approach, French Inspection strives to deliver stress-free results.

Parlaying Experience into Business Success

The company was founded in 2006 by Dean French, a Marine Veteran. Beginning with residential phase inspections for nationwide builders, French Inspection added its first commercial engineer within a couple years. The company’s reputation in the industry for customer service provided it several referrals to bring in more engineers.

French Inspection expanded into the real estate inspections market in 2012. In 2017, the company purchased J.Spivey & Associates, adding roughly 8 new clients, including Suncoast Post-Tension. The company began the journey into energy compliance inspections in 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic, which slowed its progress substantially. Now on the bounce back, French Inspection has the energy section organized and thriving.

Servicing Wide Range of Industries and Markets

French Inspection provides commercial and residential building inspection in the Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin markets. The team of qualified inspectors work for individuals, engineers, developers, builders, banks, lenders, and property management companies to showcase their client-focused approach. The flexibility offered by the company allows it to take small inspection jobs that bigger companies often avoid.

“For a lot of inspectors it’s, ‘my way or the highway.’ I’d rather work with somebody and educate them to keep their project moving forward.”

Dean French
Owner

Integrating Modern Technology

Utilizing new technology is one of the ways that French Inspection is helping to improve their offerings. The company uses drones to inspect roofs and areas of construction sites. The state-of-the-art technology provides accurate, real-time data without human risk. The company is excited to continue expanding their drone division. French Inspection utilizes other technology, such as tablets and online portals, to deliver quick answers to customers. The company’s portal is designed to be user friendly for clients and inspectors. It is the goal of French Inspection to give clients a “self-service” aspect for more convenient scheduling or data gathering.

“In this industry, time is money. If we can design a better product and get data sent out faster, let’s do it,” said French.

Placing Roots in Tomball

The Houston area remains the hub for the company. Partnering with the Tomball Economic Development Corporation on a Business Improvement Grant, French Inspection remodeled the building at 1420 Rudel Road to become the company’s headquarters.  

“The Business Improvement Grant process was really easy. Everyone was great to work with,” offered French. “Tomball was the right fit. It has a small-town feel with all the infrastructure we need. It’s easy to get to. Our office is very accessible from major roadways.”

Dean French
Owner

“The thing I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built. None of this would be possible without good, solid employees,” added French.

Planning for Future Success

As French Inspection moves into the future, it will continue to focus on the education and training of its employees. This is a key element that sets apart French Inspection from other inspection firms. The company’s goal is to continue diversifying and setting the standard for quality inspections in Texas. French Inspection will continue to strive to support its beloved Tomball and the community it serves.

“We want to diversify as much as possible, but to an extent that still makes sense in order to sustain a good work environment for all my employees,” said French. “I really want French Inspection to continue having a good reputation and to be active in our community.”