After years of working in the building industry, including as an Estimating and Procurement Manager for a developer-builder, Mark Rizk reached a point where he wanted something different. Joining Jim’s Building Inspections gave him a way to use his experience while gaining more flexibility, learning self-employment, and continuing to develop professionally.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
Why Did Mark Rizk Leave His Corporate Building Career?
Mark Rizk left his corporate building career because he wanted a new direction, more flexibility, and an opportunity to keep developing professionally. He had worked in the building industry since graduating from university and had held several roles, with his most recent position being Estimating and Procurement Manager for a developer-builder.
After spending some time in that role, Mark began asking himself what his next move should be. He took some time off to reflect and started looking at how he could put more self-development back into his career without walking away from the building industry altogether.
That eventually led him to Jim’s Building Inspections. Mark started the journey around November and went live in March. Instead of spending his working week predominantly in a corporate office environment, he could be on the road, meet different people, and use the building knowledge he had already developed throughout his career.
Why Did Mark Rizk Choose Jim’s Building Inspections?
Mark chose Jim’s Building Inspections because the model, support, and approach “ticked all the right boxes” for what he wanted next. He had never worked for himself before, so moving into self-employment represented a significant change.
The responsiveness and professionalism Mark experienced early in the process stood out. He had reached out to a couple of other options, but some took maybe a couple of weeks to respond. By that stage, he had already moved forward and had probably had a couple of meetings with Jim’s.
The open and honest approach also mattered. Mark said there was “no sugarcoating” and “no pretending” throughout his early training, catch-ups, and time with other franchisees. He valued being shown what the work actually involved and what separated a mediocre inspector from a good one.
Anyone comparing opportunities can learn more through the Jim’s Building Inspections franchise guide before deciding whether the division suits their experience and goals.
What Was It Like Starting a Building Inspection Franchise?
Starting a building inspection franchise was challenging for Mark because he had never worked for himself before. He was moving from an established corporate role into self-employment, which meant learning a different side of working life while continuing to develop as an inspector.
Mark also makes it clear that every person’s circumstances are different. His children were older and established, which gave him more room to make the change. He described his position as having the opportunity to “take a step back to move forward”.
Rather than starting entirely from ground zero, Mark felt the Jim’s franchise model gave him support while he learned the self-employment side of the business. That structure gave him confidence as he moved from working for builders into establishing himself in building inspections.
For people considering the same kind of move, a Jim’s Group Observation Day can help them get a closer look at franchise life before making a decision.
How Does Jim’s Building Inspections Training Work?
Jim’s Building Inspections training combines initial Jim’s training with office-based and onsite building inspection training, according to Mark’s experience. He described an initial two-day component that introduced candidates to what Jim’s is about before moving into training focused on building inspections.
Mark said candidates are vetted and that a lot of time is invested in getting them out into the field. His experience included training in the office, on-site learning, and spending time with other franchisees.
Importantly, Mark does not describe training as something that finishes once a franchisee goes live. He said “you never stop learning” and that a whole team supports his continual learning and development.
That ongoing support matters to Mark because he wants to keep improving rather than simply complete the minimum required to carry out inspections. Prospective franchisees can also learn more about Jim’s Group and the wider franchise network before deciding whether the model suits them.
What Services Can a Jim’s Building Inspections Franchisee Offer?
Mark offers more than standard building inspections and wants clients to see him as a building consultant rather than only an inspector. His focus is on being thorough, giving clients value, and providing information tailored to their circumstances and what he finds in the homes he inspects.
He specifically mentions asbestos sampling and testing, tax depreciation schedules, dilapidation reports, and new construction among the additional services he can provide. Mark sees those services as a way to add value for clients, support referral partners, and supplement his income.
That broader service offering also fits his goal of establishing himself as “not just an inspector, but a great inspector”. He wants the quality of his work and the range of help he can provide to distinguish his service.
Readers interested in the wider division can also explore how Jim’s Building Inspections developed as a national franchise.
Does a Building Inspection Franchise Offer More Work-Life Flexibility?
For Mark, running a building inspection franchise has given him more flexibility than his previous nine-to-five office environment. One of the biggest benefits is being able to schedule appointments around his life rather than having his family commitments fit around a fixed corporate workday.
Mark particularly values being able to see his children take part in sport and extracurricular activities. He said that family time is “really valuable” and described getting that flexibility back as huge.
That does not mean self-employment removes responsibility or hard work. Mark’s experience is about having more control over when appointments are scheduled. For him, that control has made an important difference to how work fits around family life.
What Support Do Jim’s Building Inspections Franchisees Receive?
Mark says the franchise model has given him support while he learns how to work for himself and continues developing as an inspector. He felt that support meant he did not have to begin from ground zero when entering self-employment.
His experience included the initial two-day Jim’s training, building inspection training, on-site learning, catch-ups, and time with other franchisees. He also described having a whole team around him to support continued learning and development.
Mark particularly valued the honesty of that support. He was not looking for promises that running a business would be easy. He wanted realistic information about what the work required and what it would take to become a good inspector.
For someone moving from employment into their own business for the first time, having people available to learn from can make the transition easier to navigate. Mark still has responsibility for building his own reputation and business, but he does not have to work through every part of the process alone.
What Should You Consider Before Starting a Building Inspection Franchise?
You should research the opportunity carefully and decide whether it fits your own circumstances before starting a building inspection franchise. Mark is clear that the decision is “not something you can take lightly”.
His advice is straightforward: research, investigate and study. Prospective franchisees need to understand the work, the business model and whether self-employment suits their personal circumstances.
Mark’s own experience shows why that preparation matters. He moved from a long-term career in the building industry into a type of work that still used his existing knowledge but changed how he worked day to day.
The move gave him more flexibility and new opportunities for professional development, but it also required him to learn the business side of self-employment.
For Mark, the next stage is continued growth. He wants to branch further into value-add services for clients and referral partners while building his reputation as a thorough building consultant.
His experience is a reminder that a franchise system can provide training and support, but each person still needs to decide whether the opportunity matches the life and career they want to build.
Is a Jim’s Building Inspections Franchise Right for You?
Mark’s experience shows that moving into a Jim’s Building Inspections franchise can provide a different way to use existing building knowledge while developing new business skills and gaining more control over your working week.
But his advice is not to rush the decision. Research the opportunity, understand the work involved, and consider whether self-employment fits your experience, family circumstances, and long-term goals.
If Mark’s career change sounds similar to the move you are considering, learn more about Jim’s Building Inspections and speak with the team about the franchise opportunity.