Customers frequently praise the thoroughness of home, sewer, and radon inspections, noting detailed digital reports with photos and clear communication. Reviewers highlight punctuality, professional demeanor, and the ability to explain findings in plain language. However, several low-star reviews criticize the inspections for missing significant structural issues or mold, leading to unexpected repair costs and a need for re-inspection.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 782 reviews (99% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 782 Google reviews (730 with written comments, 3 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 5% of reviews.
Most recent review: November 10, 2026.
Service: Building Inspector serving Portland, Oregon.
Data from Google, last updated November 10, 2026.
Star ratings
782 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars77399%
4 stars30%
3 stars00%
2 stars20%
1 star41%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 730 written reviews
99%praise
Praise1,73099%
Complaints161%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Quality & results50629%
Staff & attitude40223%
Would recommend32719%
Communication23714%
Speed & response18611%
Honesty & trust513%
Price & value372%
What customers talk about
We read 730 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Ian at Murphy Home Inspection is extremely thorough and friendly and delivers an incredibly detailed report.”
“…e considering buying provided a detailed report to us that provides a helpful guide as we consider the problems and issues we will need to address if…”
“If you're looking for a home inspector that is thorough, honest, and works with integrity - I recommend scheduling with Ian!”
“I would strongly recommend caution and getting a second opinion if you choose to work with them.”
“He did a good job making sure we understood the major items identified and followed up multiple times to see if we had any questions.”
“Our report came back same day, and was easy to understand.”
“As a realtor, I am consistently in need of someone honest and trustworthy to inspect my clients homes.”
“10/10 (we had a home inspection 1940s house and radon testing and extra sqft charge it came to $800 something and worth it for the work done)”
“The inspector assured us there was no mold, but during the appraisal, mold was discovered, leading to additional remediation and costs.”
People customers mention
Silas122 reviews
Mika44 reviews
Ian23 reviews
Trever20 reviews
Jones20 reviews
Inspections16 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
The Murphy Home Inspector who inspected the home we are considering buying provided a detailed report to us that provides a helpful guide as we consider the problems and issues we will need to address if we purchase the home. The documentation was easy to follow and the report included pictures to illustrate and help us locate the underlying problem or issue.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Pre-listing inspections
Response from the owner · 3 days ago
Thanks, RJ — glad the report was easy to follow and the photos helped pinpoint the issues. We appreciate you choosing Murphy Home Inspection.
Meagan Stein2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Meagan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Ian is a phenomenal home inspector. He delivers the information with tact and knowledge. As both a buyer and a Realtor, I would not hesitate to hire him again and again.
Services: Multi-unit inspections
Response from the owner · 3 days ago
Thanks, Meagan — glad Ian's tact and knowledge came through. We appreciate you choosing Murphy Home Inspection.
KellyLocal Guide · 18 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kelly has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Ian was a great and thorough inspector. Our report came back same day, and was easy to understand. He did a good job making sure we understood the major items identified and followed up multiple times to see if we had any questions. Highly recommend!
Services: Sewer line scope, Mold sampling
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thanks, Emily — glad Ian's thoroughness came through and the same-day report was easy to follow. We appreciate you choosing Murphy Home Inspection.
Scott "Gunner" Friesen5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Scott has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
As a Realtor in the Portland area I've had the opportunity to work with many home inspectors. Murphy Home Inspection are my preferred inspectors to work with because no matter the home, they get the job done with extreme thoroughness, professionalism, and a non-alarmist attitude. A large portion of my clients continue to be first time home buyers. With my recommendation, so many of my clients have worked with Ian Watson and they have been very pleased. I love working with Ian because of his no-bs, easy to understand manner, and the way he calmly explains the homes issues in a way any buyer can understand. Even though many of these issues can be complex and technical, my clients tell me that Ian's manner and explanations made them feel comfortable that they understood the health and condition of their home.
If you're looking for a home inspector that is thorough, honest, and works with integrity - I recommend scheduling with Ian!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Pre-listing inspections
Response from the owner · a week ago
Thanks, Scott — high praise coming from a Realtor who's worked with many inspectors. We appreciate you choosing Murphy Home Inspection.
Eva Zhang2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Eva has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I originally posted 5 star review, and then problems began. I wasn't here during the inspection, but the problems arose so quickly that I have to wonder at the level of diligence or acumen applied during the inspection. Especially do not use if recommend by Think Realty. My experience was great, the results were so bad I need to have my home reinspected before my new construction warranty expires. Waste of time, money and trust.
Services: Sewer line scope, New construction inspections
Alexandra Le Varrat3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alexandra has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Silas was very professional and patient with us as we asked him a million questions about our home inspection. He walked us through every issue and part of the house and went into further detail when we needed it. He was also gracious enough to answer construction questions to the best of his ability that we sprang on him in the moment.
Services: Sewer line scope, Mold sampling
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Thanks, Alexandra — happy to answer every question, that's what we're here for. We appreciate you choosing Murphy Home Inspection.
Eric ReichowLocal Guide · 15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Eric has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 because of a few positives: short-notice availability, comprehensive offerings (home inspection, sewer, and radon), and digital delivery format.
Beyond that, I was left very unsatisfied with this inspection. Prior to the inspection, we notified Silas specifically that the home we were looking at had a fire disclosure and wanted him to take a look in that area. I understand full well that, as a general inspector, he is not an expert and not expected to have detailed knowledge in this, or any other area. That being said, he acknowledged the request and confirmed stating "I'll be sure to keep a sharp eye out for signs of previous fire damage during the injection[SIC] tomorrow". We had no idea if it was a small fire or something more severe.
On the day of the inspection, he made no mention of the fire/smoke damage until asked then very mildly mentioned that he saw some of the smoke encapsulation paint that was previously disclosed. I went in the attic and not only saw smoke encapsulation paint throughout on basically all rafters, but also saw significant charring on some of the rafters. Not only did he fail to notice or mention this, he put NOTHING (not even pictures) in his report regarding fire damage or fire damage mitigation; even after being specifically asked. At a minimum, as an inspector I would have advised a prospective buyer to bring in a fire damage specialist in to look things over. From our separate investigation and research efforts, it turns out that the fire was MASSIVE and burnt up about 1/4 of the house while smoking out the rest. This was not just a small, shrug it off event.
While on site and discussing the rest of the findings from the inspection, we felt as though most of our questions were shrugged off or dismissed. He often fell back on "not going to speculate" while offering no help in terms of direction or the types of things to take into consideration when each of the noted issues came up. With an inspector, our hope is that they've done this enough and seen enough to provide directional guidance around "what does this mean?" or "how should we be thinking about this?" when something is called out or noted. We felt largely brushed off.
I would not recommend Silas for a home inspection.
