About Your Inspector

I am an Illinois Licensed Home Inspector (license 450.013115) and a member of InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) with a CPI (Certified Professional Inspector) certification. I am also certified for Infrared Thermography. I provide professional quality home inspections. My reports are clear and understandable including descriptions and photographs of my observations. Defects observed will be plainly documented to help you understand the current condition of the home being inspected. I would like to be the professional home inspector you choose to hire.

My Qualifications

• I am an Illinois Licensed Home Inspector (license 450.013115).
• I am a member in good standing of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).
• I am an InterNACHI CPI Certified Professional Inspector.
• I am Infrared Thermography Certified and use a thermal imaging camera during my inspections.
• I generate easy-to-read professional quality inspection reports.
• I was a previously licensed real estate salesperson and understand the sales process.
• I have an Associate Degree in Construction Technology from CLC in Grayslake, IL.
• I believe roof coverings are a key factor for the safety, security and comfort of your home.
• I walk on all accessible and walkable roofs during my inspections.
• I have over 20 years of roofing experience including inspecting for a roof consulting firm, making repairs, reroofing and installing new roof systems, jobsite supervision, estimating, sales, and project management.
• I served as the Qualifying Party and passed the IL State roofing examination required for my employer to operate their business as a licensed roofing contractor in Illinois.
• I have been part of millions of square feet of roofing installations and inspections during my career.
• I have an additional 15 years’ experience in general building construction including site supervision, project management, building design, estimating and sales.
• I completed the OSHA 30-hour safety course two times in my career.
• I have a Small Business Specialist Certificate from McHenry County College.
• I have taken part in continuing education throughout my career.
• I have logged over 600 desk and field hours of training specifically in the home inspection profession.
• I have personal firsthand experience in the renovation of 5 homes.
• I own and use modern equipment, such as an infrared camera, a digital thermometer and a moisture meter.
• I have passed InterNACHI’s Online Inspector Examination, completed InterNACHI’s Code of Ethics Course and abide by the code, completed InterNACHI’s Standards of Practice Course and follow the Standards of Practice. I have completed the following InterNACHI’s courses – Safe Practices for the Home Inspector, 25 Standards Every Inspector Should Know, Residential Plumbing Inspection, Residential Electrical Inspection, Roof Inspection, HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) Inspection, Exterior Inspection, Attic, Insulation, Ventilation and Interior Inspection, Deck Inspection, Structural Issues for Home Inspectors, Inspecting for Moisture Intrusion, Building Science and Infrared Thermal Imaging for Inspectors, Infrared Certified Thermography Inspection, Fireplace, Stoves and Chimney’s Inspection, Professionalism, Sales, Customer Service, & Communication. Fundamentals of Risk Mitigation, Home Inspection Business and Marketing, and IL Safe practices and Sexual Harassment Training course.
• I will continue to fulfill 24 hours of Continuing Education every year to maintain certification and stay current with the home inspection industry best practices.

My degree in construction technology degree covered all the various components and systems of building construction. My career spans more than 35 years in the construction industry including commercial roofing and general contracting. This included 5 years working on a repair crew for a roofing contractor.  I worked as an inspector for a roof consulting company for over a year performing full time on-site field inspections, reporting, and taking photographs during roof replacement projects to verify adherence to project specifications during the installation process on more than one million square feet of roofing systems. I have worked in estimating, sales and project management in both the roofing and general construction trade and have a working knowledge of plans and specifications, building codes, existing building and roof troubleshooting and repairs as well as working on many building projects from sales and design through project close out. I have completed the OSHA 30-hour safety training course two times in my career. I have also attended many work-related seminars and will continue to do so during my home inspection career. I was known by and hired for my attention to detail over the course of my career at multiple companies.

I have completed two Home Inspection Prelicensing courses. One in Maryland and another in Illinois totaling 132 classroom hours of instruction and passed the final exams as required to obtain my home inspector’s license. I also had a real estate salesperson license in Maryland.

I have owned 3 homes so far. The first one I remodeled from a 650 square foot cottage to a 1,700 square foot 2 story home with a 2-car attached garage. I was my own general contractor, made drawings and submitted them to the local building department for permit approval, completed the interior finishes, exterior siding, and trim and electrical system. I had help installing the heating and plumbing systems and hired out the raising of the existing home, excavation and installing a new foundation and the rough carpentry for that project. I have made repairs on my appliances, furnaces and performed general maintenance items that have been ongoing in my homes for over 30 years. I have personally renovated and updated five homes, replaced roofing, painted interiors and exteriors, replaced flooring, landscaped, built sheds and seawalls, repaired fences, finished a basement, updated bathrooms and kitchens among other items associated with home renovation.

On a personal note, I am a Bible believing Christian and do my best to obey the commandments of God written in the Bible. The first being to love God more than anything else and secondly to love my neighbor as myself. I believe as I get these two right, the rest of my life falls into place.

My life’s motto is “leave it better than you found it”.

My hobbies include hiking, gardening, home aquarium care, billiards, cooking, art and crafts, reading books, updating my home, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Other personal accomplishments and/or attempts include running for business agent of Local 11 Roofers Union, serving as a stateside missionary in the San Diego area for 1 year, honorably served in the United States Army, was elected Village Trustee in Island Lake Illinois and served a 4 year term, ran for mayor in Island Lake, was a founding board member for a Christian Church and served on the board as secretary for 10 years, faithfully married for 29 years and am the proud father of 3 adult children which are by far my greatest treasure in life.

I still have many goals I would like to accomplish. Becoming a home inspector was one that started in the early 1990’s but due to my familial responsibilities I was not able to pursue it at that time. However, goals can be attained, especially the ones we pursue.

Well, I suppose that’s enough about me. I am a fully licensed and insured professional and ready to take care of your inspection needs. If you made it through this far, I am glad you have taken an interest in my life. I put my heart into all that I do. Please pray for me that I will honor God and provide my clients with great service on every inspection. I believe trust is earned and very difficult to regain if it is ever lost.

I would be honored to earn your business and grateful for the opportunity to serve you.

It would be my pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Sincerely,

John W. Ponio
(815) 245-7036
john@jwpinspections.com

Acts 10:38