About Focus 1 Veteran-owned home inspections since 2015
Focus 1 Building Inspections LLC has been helping buyers understand the homes they’re buying since 2015. Today it’s owned and operated by Josh Ray, a U.S. Air Force veteran with a keen eye for detail and a knack for explaining what he finds in plain language.
Focus 1 at a glance
- Founded
- 2015 by Dan Mansmith
- Owner & inspector
- Josh Ray, since January 2024
- Military service
- 21 years, U.S. Air Force (retired Senior Master Sergeant)
- Based in
- Waterloo, Illinois
Owner & home inspector
Josh Ray
Josh began his career as a home inspector in early 2021 and officially joined the Focus 1 team that summer. In January 2024, he became the owner and operator of Focus 1.
Before becoming a home inspector, Josh served in the United States Air Force for 21 years and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. During his career he was a police officer, training instructor, leader, and supervisor. He also traveled stateside and abroad performing risk assessments and installation security inspections to reduce risk to each installation’s mission.
That experience carries directly into home inspection. A keen eye for detail, an understanding of complex situations, and the ability to explain them in understandable language are what make a good home inspector.
Before his military career, Josh worked at his uncle’s construction company, learning the trade firsthand. He has also done home renovations and ran his own handyman repair service, which gives him extra insight into how problems can be corrected.
“We perform common sense home inspections that help buyers understand their home without scaring them back into a rental.”
- Military service
- 21 years, U.S. Air Force. Retired as a Senior Master Sergeant.
- Air Force roles
- Police officer, training instructor, leader, and supervisor
- Inspection experience
- Risk assessments and installation security inspections, stateside and abroad
- Trade background
- Uncle’s construction company, home renovations, and his own handyman repair service
Focus 1, since 2015
2015
Focus 1 is founded
Dan Mansmith founds Focus 1 Building Inspections LLC and builds the business on integrity, customer service, and reliability.
2021
Josh joins the team
After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Josh begins his home inspection career early in the year and joins Focus 1 that summer.
2024
Josh becomes owner
In January, Josh becomes owner and operator of Focus 1, and Dan retires to spend more time with his family.
Homes Josh has inspected
Founder
Dan Mansmith
Dan Mansmith founded Focus 1 Building Inspections LLC in 2015 and built a business focused on integrity, customer service, and reliability. After building the business and brand for more than six years, he added Josh to his inspection team.
In January 2024, Dan retired from home inspection to spend more time with his wife, kids, and grandkids. His commitment to common sense home inspections continues through the values he instilled in Focus 1.
What clients say about Josh
All of us at Focus 1 look forward to serving you
Call (618) 772-5994 or send a request online. Add termite, radon, sewer lateral, pool, or mold inspections on the same call.