Meet Shawn & Ryan
Compass Inspection Services is a team of talented home inspectors with a background in residential construction and historic preservation. Shawn and Ryan have been working together in construction for 16 years and now use that experience to help you evaluate your next home. After thoroughly inspecting your future home, they will take the time to explain in clear terms how you home will function for you and what items you may need to repair.
California Licensed General Contractor 983944
NHIE
CREIA AssociateShawn Herlihy
What We Do Best
Residential Inspections
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Before you buy, you should have a home inspection to avoid potentially costly repairs that would otherwise go undetected until they become even more costly. This is our typical home inspection that catches common defects so you understand the investment you’re making.
The Best Modern Report in the Industry
While Compass Inspection Services encourages our clients to walk through the home with us, we understand that you may be too busy, and may not have time to do so.
Regardless of whether or not you attend the inspection, we will compile a comprehensive Spectora report, which includes all of the information you need to determine the condition of the home.
We strive to deliver our report within 24 to 48 hours of the conclusion of your home inspection, so that you can quickly access a full overview of our findings – and discuss them with us and your agent.
Our Client Reviews
- 100 percent recommend. As a first-time homeowner, I wasn’t able to attend the inspection, which caused a lot of anxiety since buying a home is such a huge milestone. However, their report completely put me at ease. It was incredibly detailed and educational, making it easy to understand repairs, maintenance needs, and updates to bring the home up to current standards. The report itself is very user-friendly and up to date, with embedded videos, infographics, and even a video of Shawn explaining his findings. Shawn was also available for follow-up questions and even took time out of his weekend to walk us through everything, which I truly appreciated. Although the inspection was scheduled from 9:30 to 12, Shawn stayed until 2 pm. His care and attention to detail really show. I even contacted a plumber about some plumbing flags, and they said they were familiar with Compass Inspection and didn’t think another inspection was necessary because of how thorough Shawn is. Thank you so much, Shawn. I’m extremely grateful for your time and care!read moreread lessRosa GG1/25/2026
- These guys are A+! Detail oriented, fast to inspect and fast to get the report in our hands. Couldn’t be happier with their service.read moreread lessSarah Coleman1/15/2026
- Excellent source of knowledge and really explains all of the details well. I especially appreciated their timeliness and professionalismread moreread lessJesse Boomer1/06/2026As a Realtor when I have a client with a Victorian they are having inspected for a purchase, I am very pleased when they choose Compass. I know that Shawn and Ryan have extensive knowledge of historic homes and can explain so much to my client. They are also involved with the historical home groups in Eureka to further their knowledge they give to clients. Their inspections are extremely thorough with plenty of photos to explain what is good and what needs attention to the home.read moreread lessSuzy Smith12/28/2025
- The inspections and reports are so thorough and really help see all the parts and systems of the properties they inspect. The attention to detail and easy to read reports have really helped my clients feel at ease with the understanding of the home they want to purchase. The willingness to follow up with the Buyers to answer question and help with the understanding of the findings is Customer Service to the finest! Compass Inspection Services, thank you!read moreread lessKimberly Keisling12/14/2025
- I’ve worked with Compass Inspection Services several times now, and every experience has been excellent. Their attention to detail is outstanding, and their professionalism shows in every part of the process. They’re thorough, reliable, and always willing to take the time to answer any questions I or my buyers have. I’ve been completely satisfied each time and highly recommend Compass Inspection Services to anyone looking for quality, trustworthy inspection work.read moreread lessMoria Sefton11/17/2025Shawn did a great job going over my new home with great attention to detail. It's almost overwhelming how many things he found. But it gives me a great start to identifying what needs to be addressed. Highly recommendedread moreread lessGarrett Gradin11/07/2025I had a fantastic experience with Compass Inspections. Ryan Barlow was on time, extremely thorough, and explained everything clearly step-by-step. His attention to detail gave my clients confidence and made the entire inspection process smooth and stress-free. I recommend Compass Inspections to all of my clients and will continue to do so. Truly professional and reliable service!read moreread lessRachael Weaver11/07/2025
- Shawn at Compass was super helpful, professional and knowledgeable. His many years of experience were incredibly helpful. He helped me understand what are the biggest areas of opportunity to improve my household’s value and longevity. I very greatly appreciate him.read moreread lessJon L11/06/2025
- Absolutely spectacular service. They did an immaculate job inspecting the property I am buying. They provided an extremely comprehensive and detailed report. Also they sent the report the day after the inspection, so they are super efficient too!read moreread lessKaren Sullivan10/22/2025Shawn did our home inspection and was so thorough, kind, and efficient. He explains everything clearly, includes photos of referenced issues and areas, and the report is easy to navigate. My office had both Shawn and Ryan for a commercial inspection, and our experience was just as pleasant.read moreread lessMonica Topping-Adams9/10/2025Our inspector Ryan was excellent! He left no stone unturned and we feel like we got an extremely thorough inspection. This company goes above and beyond. The report was detailed and comprehensive. Compared to other companies in town this product is definitely superior and worth the very small price increase. We knew everything about our home before we purchased it and that peace of mind is priceless.read moreread lessE S9/06/2025
- Very fast service and very thorough investigation of the house. Is helping me to make my decisions about purchase.read moreread lessKayce R8/24/2025
- Shawn is always very thorough and pleasant and took the time to show my buyers how to maintain important components of the home they are purchasing.read moreread lessDon Chin7/12/2025Truly exceptional service, above and beyond any home inspector we have worked with. Shawn was highly knowledgeable and thorough. He took the time to walk us through his findings, explain complex systems, and suggest strategies for addressing problems and ongoing maintenance. He also has an extensive network in Humboldt County. He was able to recommend several reliable contractors and even contacted the builder to resolve a concern we had about the home's sewer system. If you are buying a home and you want peace of mind, hire Shawn at Compass Inspection Services.read moreread lessMegan Gehrke7/12/2025

Frequently Asked Questions
What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. Home inspections are designed to protect the buyer, by revealing problems they might not have noticed otherwise.
How much does a home inspection cost?
Our home inspections start at $400. The cost will vary based on the square footage of the home, the age of the home, and location of the home. Call, text, or email us for a quote today!
How long does a home inspection take?
Home inspections generally take 2 to 4 hours to complete. The duration of a home inspection depends on many factors such as the size of the home, the condition of the home, and the ability to access certain areas of the home (roof, crawl space, attic, etc.).
Should I attend the inspection?
What if the inspection report reveals problems?
What Else Can We Answer?
At Compass Inspection Services, our job isn’t complete until you feel comfortable and all of your questions and concerns are answered.