Bear Bottom Inspections - case study

Overview

Bear Bottom Inspections is a Melbourne-based building inspection company with over 15 years of industry presence. Since acquiring the business six years ago, owner Rod has overseen a transformation—modernizing operations, expanding reach, and dramatically improving efficiency with the help of Hello Inspections.

About the Business

  • Founded: ~2008

  • Location: Servicing all of Melbourne and regional Victoria

  • Team: 4 full-time inspectors, 2 admin staff

  • Service: Pre-purchase building and timber pest inspections

  • Client Access: 24/7 via phone, website, or SMS

  • Reports Delivered: Same-day, evening turnaround

The Challenge

When Rod acquired Bear Bottom Inspections, the company had strong brand equity but outdated processes. Inspectors were using:

  • Bulky 3cm-thick tablets

  • Stylus pens and separate digital cameras

  • Manual photo transfers using memory cards

  • Drag-and-drop editing for each defect

This slow, fragmented process was a bottleneck to growth and scalability.

The Search for a Solution

Rod undertook a comprehensive review of the inspection tech landscape, including a research trip to the U.S. Builders Expo in Las Vegas. Despite the effort, no tool met their needs—until they discovered Hello Inspections.

"It’s the best thing we ever found… it’s been a game changer for our business."
— Rod, Owner, Bear Bottom Inspections

Implementation and Transition

Rod’s team took a structured, strategic approach to onboarding:

  • Migrated historic defect data to Excel

  • Used the 80/20 rule to preload the most common issues

  • Created master templates for:

    • Building & Timber Pest

    • Building Only

    • Pest Only

  • Applied a six-stage inspection framework to ensure consistency

The transition was seamless—empowering inspectors and admins to work faster and smarter.

Workflow OptimiSation with Hello Inspections

Booking

  • Customers contact via phone, web, or SMS

  • Online pricing and instant booking options

  • Admin team coordinates with agents or vendors

Inspection & Reporting

  • Inspections conducted on-site with preloaded templates

  • Reports reviewed and audited internally

  • Same-day delivery (typically by 7 PM)

Auditing for Quality

  • All reports undergo internal review before delivery

  • Continuous improvement driven by small feedback loops

  • Flow and structure of reports regularly adjusted for readability

FavoUrite Features of Hello Inspections

  1. Drag-and-Drop Defect Reordering

    • Customize report flow for better storytelling

    • Example: Grouping driveway and pathway findings together

  2. Defect Duplication with One Tap

    • Speeds up reporting for defects relevant to multiple sections

    • Maintains consistency across building and pest reports

  3. Template Flexibility

    • Consistent structure across inspectors

    • Helps guide new staff and enforce quality standards

Client Feedback & Report Evolution

During COVID-19, the team used the quiet period to:

  • Analyze competitor reports

  • Call past clients for feedback

  • Add value-based details (e.g. plumbing checks, door functionality)

"Even if it's not a defect, people want to know… we've got it pretty well covered."
— Rod

Clients now receive detailed, well-structured reports that inspire trust and confidence.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital transformation doesn’t require reinventing the wheel—Bear Bottom’s structured approach led to quick wins.

  • Templates and workflows drive scale and consistency

  • Client-centered design (clear reports, fast turnaround, responsive service) leads to strong word-of-mouth and reviews

  • Hello Inspections enabled the business to grow while maintaining premium quality and service