When you’ve spent years on the tools, starting a business might feel like a risk.
But for Paul Commerford, it was a calculated move that changed everything.
Today, Paul leads Jim’s Building Inspections, Australia’s largest inspection franchise.
His journey from builder to franchisor is a blueprint for turning trade experience into long-term success.
Paul Commerford: From Builder to Business Owner
Paul started his career as a licensed builder in Victoria.
But a casual suggestion from a colleague opened the door to a new path.
“I was building, and one of the guys kept asking me to go into pest control. I wasn’t interested at first… but once I saw the planning and quoting side, it clicked.”
That spark led him to launch Termite Solutions Victoria, a business focused on pre-construction pest management systems.
It didn’t take long before he was exploring how to scale further—and that’s where Jim’s came in.
“The Jim’s brand had something special. It just made sense.”
Testing the Jim’s Brand in a New Space
Before diving into franchising, Paul tested the market.
Would homebuyers take building inspections seriously under the Jim’s name?
So he set up at local auctions.
The data was clear: over 85% of attendees said they would choose a Jim’s Building Inspector over another provider.
“It was always a worry… but the results were clear—it works.”
That validation gave Paul the green light to grow fast, and he did.
Paul Commerford Built Smart Systems from the Start
Paul knew success would depend on strong systems.
So he created them from day one.
He built a custom inspection app to help franchisees create professional reports fast.
When the app wasn’t ready, his team manually created reports to support franchisees.
He built an in-house marketing team to manage Google Ads, social media, and recruitment.
“Marketing isn’t a profit center—but it drives leads, and that’s everything.”
Jim’s Building Inspections: Explosive Growth, Managed with Care
In just a few years, Paul grew Jim’s Building Inspections to over 150 franchisees, making it the largest building inspection franchise in the country.
But growth brought its challenges.
New franchisees caused lead volume spikes that marketing had to catch up with.
“If you put on three new franchisees in one region, leads spike. But it takes time for the new marketing spend to catch up.”
That’s why Paul insists on running lean, responsive systems that adjust quickly.
Flat Fees, Fairer Business at Jim’s Building Inspections
Unlike most franchise models that charge a percentage of profits, Paul adopted a flat monthly fee.
It’s simple, predictable, and lets franchisees plan with confidence.
“Explaining the flat fee was tough at first. But once franchisees got rolling, they realized they paid less—and kept more.”
Paul Commerford: From Franchise Growth to Product Innovation
Paul is also the inventor of the Greenzone termite barrier, a patented solution that combines physical and chemical termite protection.
It’s now used across Australia.
Innovation is part of how Paul builds and grows.
How Paul Commerford Leads With a Team Mentality
Paul credits much of his success to his team-first mindset, a habit from his days as a football player.
“You’re only as good as your team. That’s why we run a ‘Leading Teams’ session during onboarding.”
Franchisees are coached to support one another, build trust, and lead their own local businesses with confidence.
What Paul Commerford Looks for in Franchisees
Paul is clear about who will succeed.
“If you’re not 100%, it won’t work. You can’t just buy a job—you’re building a business.”
He looks for self-starters—people who take initiative, respond quickly, and follow through.
“If they don’t return our calls during onboarding, they usually drop off. The right ones jump through hoops to join.”
Paul Commerford turned his construction knowledge into a thriving franchise empire.
From writing reports at night to leading two national divisions, his journey shows that trade experience—when matched with structure and support—can lead to something bigger.
“There are so many builders out there looking to get off the tools. This gives them a way out—with structure, support, and real potential.”
Want to Join Paul Commerford’s Team?
📞 Call 131 546
🌐 Visit jims.net → Choose Jim’s Building Inspections
📩 Request an info pack or speak with Paul’s team directly
Build something real—guided by someone who already has.