Antebellum homes near the courthouse square, new neighborhoods on the north side of town and farmhouses along the Duck River — Mark Schumacher inspects them all with four decades of building experience.
Laid out in 1808 as the seat of Maury County, Columbia proudly calls itself the Mule Capital of the World, and every April the Mule Day celebration fills the streets. The city is home to the James K. Polk Home, the only surviving residence of the 11th president other than the White House, and to Columbia State Community College, the first two-year college in Tennessee. The Duck River, the longest river flowing entirely within the state, curves past town, and new neighborhoods keep climbing north toward Spring Hill. Home Inspections by SP&D serves Columbia from Hendersonville, north of Nashville.
Every SP&D inspection is done personally by Mark Schumacher, who holds Tennessee Home Inspector License #1374 and the InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector credential. His career in construction spans more than 40 years and more than 40 states, including projects for Tommy Hilfiger, the PGA Tour, Ralph Lauren Polo, Jack Nicklaus and the U.S. Military. Over the past ten-plus years he has completed in excess of 1,500 inspections, and he still takes only one per day so each client gets a complete, unhurried visit.
Maury County is known for having more antebellum houses than any other county in Tennessee, and Columbia's historic blocks also hold Victorian and early 20th-century homes. Older homes like these can hide knob-and-tube wiring, settling brick piers, aging slate or metal roofs and generations of remodeling, and Mark's builder background helps him tell good repairs from risky ones. Newer subdivisions on the growing north side need checks for framing, flashing and drainage shortcuts, while rural properties outside town often rely on private wells and septic systems that call for water testing.
Columbia's landscape is rolling hill country over limestone, with river bottoms along the Duck and plenty of creeks feeding into it. Mark looks hard at drainage, grading and foundation movement, especially on lots close to low-lying ground. Clay soils, humid summers and spring thunderstorms put steady pressure on crawl spaces, roofs and attics, so moisture intrusion, wood rot and wind damage are always on his list.
Columbia families choose SP&D because Mark treats every house with respect, from a 19th-century landmark to a starter home, and he stays available for questions well after the inspection. Eligible inspections are backed by a 90-day home warranty and a 5-year roof leak warranty, and Mark offers a discount to veterans, teachers and first responders. Call Mark at 561-301-7571 to book your Columbia home inspection.
Historic homes downtown, new builds on the north side and rural properties with wells — SP&D has the right inspection for every kind of Columbia home.
Buyer's inspections for Columbia houses, condos, townhomes, manufactured homes, VA purchases and multi-units.
Staged inspections for new homes going up across Columbia and northern Maury County.
Radon, mold, air, water quality, well water, asbestos and lead paint testing for Maury County homes.
Thermal imaging, sewer camera work, moisture detection and termite and WDO inspections.
Thorough evaluations of roofs, foundations, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, crawl spaces and attics in homes of every age.
Pre-listing, investor, upkeep, consultation and re-inspection services for Columbia owners.
Clients throughout Middle Tennessee say Mark is careful, knowledgeable and refreshingly easy to talk to. Read a few of their reviews below.
"Mark Schumacher from SP&D is by far the best home inspector I've had the pleasure of dealing with. Having him inspect the home we were about to buy was the best decision we made. He was so thorough, and detailed. He saved us from unexpected costs, pointing out issues that might've been overlooked by other inspectors. He answered all my phone calls, even on weekends, and fully explained all the issues. I would highly recommend him to anyone thinking of buying a home, to protect yourself with the best. His knowledge and experience is second to none. We will definitely use him again in the future."
— Johnny Azoulay
Google Review
"Mark did an excellent job. He was extremely thorough with great attention to detail. We had a poor experience with an inspector the last time we bought a home, so it was very important to us to feel confident that things were being handled in the best way possible. Mark was wonderful and took the time to go over every inch of the house with us and explain the things he'd found that needed attention. He was happy to answer our questions and was extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter. I would recommend him to anyone who is thinking about buying and needs an inspection. Thank you, Mark!"
— Sylvia Jones
Google Review
"I would give 10 stars if I could. Great job and complete inspection, very professional. Highly recommend their services."
— David Haverly
Google Review
From the downtown square and the Polk Home to the Duck River and the fast-growing north end of town, Home Inspections by SP&D covers Columbia and the surrounding Maury County countryside.
What Columbia buyers and homeowners ask most before scheduling an inspection.
Yes. Columbia and much of Maury County are inside our roughly 60-mile service radius from Hendersonville. Call Mark at 561-301-7571 to schedule.
Yes. Mark's 40-plus years in construction help him evaluate older framing, brick foundations, outdated wiring, plumbing and decades of past renovations.
Yes. Well water testing can be added to your inspection so you know the quality of the water before you close.
Yes. Builders work fast in growing areas, and Mark's pre-drywall, final walk-through and 11th-month inspections help you catch issues while they're still the builder's responsibility.
Radon levels differ from one home to another, and the EPA recommends testing every house. Mark offers radon testing alongside your inspection.
Yes — Mark offers a thank-you discount to veterans, classroom teachers and first responders in Maury County. Mention it on the phone.
Columbia sits on the southern side of Mark's Middle Tennessee service area. Explore other towns below to see the full reach of SP&D.
TN License #1374 • InterNACHI Certified • Historic & New Homes • One Inspection Per Day • 90-Day Home Warranty