Hi — I’m Tracie Kamenoff, and in this short conversation made possible by Community Impact, I sat down with Larry Fleming of Accurate Home and Commercial Services to learn how he started his company, how it’s evolved, and the wild things he and his team have discovered on inspections. Below I’ll share the highlights, what I learned about running a resilient small business, and a couple of stories you won’t forget.

Who Accurate Home and Commercial Services Is — and What They Do

Larry runs a full-service inspection company that supports both residential and commercial clients. Their work covers everything from standard home inspections for buyers and sellers to specialized services for builders and lenders.

Key services

• Home inspections for buyers and sellers
• Code compliance inspections for builders
• FHA and mortgage-related inspections
• TAS/ADA inspections (handicap accessibility)
• Energy inspections and related checks
• Pest control and termite services

Certifications and expertise

• Energy certified
• Certified in structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
• Experience with both commercial and residential properties

How the Company Grew: From One Person to a Team

Larry started the business in 1998 as a single operator. Over more than 25 years they’ve grown into a six-person team. Larry credits a combination of faith, seizing opportunities, and strong networking for that growth.

"We just have tried to walk through doors as God has opened them for us."

He also pointed to the Greater EMC Chamber and other networking groups as sources of long-term customers and referrals. Those relationships turned into repeat business that sustained the company through different market cycles.

Challenges They Face — and How Diversification Helps

Like many businesses tied to real estate, interest rates have had an impact. Larry noted that high mortgage rates reduce the number of buyers trading into new loans, which affects the demand for home inspections.

At the same time, he shared a practical response: diversification. Accurate Home and Commercial Services added pest control and termite work because, early on, Larry as a solo inspector often had to wait for third-party termite technicians. Bringing that service in-house improved operations and created another revenue stream.

He also mentioned that new-home builders offering incentives have helped offset some of the slowdowns in the resale market. Overall: multiple services and strong networks make the business more nimble and weather market ups and downs better.

The Wildest Things We’ve Found on Inspections

If you wanted surprises, Larry delivered. Two stories stood out:

1. Termite devastation in a nearly new house — a four-year-old home where sheetrock had been removed and termites had eaten through structural materials. Finding that level of damage in a relatively new build was shocking to him.
2. A hand grenade in an electrical panel — not found by Larry personally but by another inspector on the team. They immediately contacted 911 and handled the situation safely.

These stories are a good reminder that inspection work often requires caution, experience, and a steady head — you never know what you’ll encounter behind a wall or inside a panel.

Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More

I’m grateful to Larry for sharing his time and perspective. His combination of technical certifications, practical problem-solving (like adding pest control), and relationship-based growth offers some useful lessons for small-business operators: diversify services where sensible, invest in relationships, and always be prepared for the unexpected.

If you’d like to follow more short interviews like this, be sure to subscribe to the Morning Impact at communityimpact.com and visit the Greater EMC Chamber at gemcchamber.com. Follow the chamber on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for local business updates.

Until next time, I’m Tracie Kamenoff — keep adding value and making a difference.