Save time, money and headaches.
Practical guidance for complex concerns.
House Coach Approach
One size does not fit all.
Tessa is a building scientist, home inspector and house coach who provides cost-effective, practical guidance for complex concerns. She loves solving problems and working with clients to create buildings that are safe, healthy, comfortable, durable and energy efficient.
Tessa Murry
Building Scientist, Home Inspector & House Coach
About
Tessa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Science from the University of Minnesota and is a retired ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI). She has over 17 years of experience ranging from residential construction to home performance diagnostic testing. Read more below!
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Truss the process
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Blower door test
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Dampered excitement
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Crawlspace death trap
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Tessa loves attics
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Attic access agility
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Structure Tech team
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Structure Talk Podcast
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Habitat volunteering
Background
Tessa volunteered with AmeriCorps after high school and worked as a construction crew leader from 2006-2007 at Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity in southern Louisiana in the wake of hurricane Katrina. She learned various skills such as framing, siding, roofing, window and door installation and finish carpentry. She led groups of volunteers from around the country in various construction tasks and helped the affiliate grow from building one house a year to 100 houses the year post Katrina. It was an eye opening experience that sparked her interest in learning how to build more efficient, sustainable, durable and healthy homes.
Education
This interest led her to the Building Science program at the University of Minnesota which takes a systems based approach to enhancing the performance of houses and building systems.
She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Science and Technology with a minor in Construction Management.
Work History
Tessa has worked in a variety of jobs relating to energy efficiency and building performance, including:
Manager of Home Performance Diagnostic Testing & Building Science, Aug 2014 - Jan 2016
Kinzler Construction DBA Cocoon – Eden Prairie, MN
Home Performance Diagnostic Technician, Dec 2011 – Aug 2014
Cocoon, Inc. – Eden Prairie, MN
Research Assistant, Jun 2011 – Dec 2011
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership (DOE) – St. Paul, MN
Weatherization Intern, Jun 2010 – Mar 2011
Sustainable Resources Center (SRC) – Minneapolis, MN
Assistant Energy Auditor, May 2009 – Sep 2009
Affordable Energy Solutions (AES) - Minneapolis, MN
In 2016, Tessa decided to dip her toe into another flavor of house nerd. She became a home inspector.
Home Inspector, Jan 2016 - Dec 2023
Hiring and Training Coordinator, March 2020 - Dec 31, 2022
Structure Tech Home Inspections - St. Louis Park, MN
Tessa’s roles at Structure Tech evolved to include teaching continuing education classes for real estate agents and home inspectors, developing a training curriculum and program for new home inspectors, conducting the hiring and training of new home inspectors, participation in the Leadership Team and recording weekly Structure Talk podcasts.
Certifications
Retired ASHI Certified Inspector *(ACI) - ASHI is the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Passed the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE).
*ACI credential is fully accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA). ACI’s are recognized as having the highest standards in the profession. ACI's are recognized as leaders in the home inspection industry. Click here to see ACI level requirements.
Speaking & Teaching
Tessa has done a variety of teaching and speaking locally and nationally.
National Conference Keynote Speaker
Inspector Empire Builder Unite 2021: Home Inspector Training Process
Inspection World (IW) 2020: Integrating Building Science with Home Inspection
Energy Design Conference & Expo 2016; Beyond Diagnostic Testing: An Interpretation of Home Performance
University of Minnesota
SSM 4614 Building Systems Performance: Testing and Diagnostics (Spring 2024) - Teaching Specialist / Co-Instructor with Patrick Huelman,
Continuing Education Provider / Guest Speaker & Instructor
Contractors
Scherer Brothers Lumber Co. Continuing Contractor Education (Dec 2023)
Home Inspectors
Inspection World (2020)
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Chapters:
Heartland (2020)
St. Louis (2020)
Western Washington (2020 & 2022)
Great Plains (2021)
Keystone (Pennsylvania) (2021)
Tennessee (2021)
Silicon Valley ASHI/CREIA (2023)
Classes: Integrating Building Science with Home Inspection; Performance Pro: Mastering Building Science for Superior Home Inspections
Real Estate Agents
200+ hours of Continuing Education (2019 - 2020, 2023 - current)
In-person: 172 hours; Online: 40+ hours
Classes: New Construction Defects, Residential Water Intrusion Problems, Hassle-Free Home Inspections, Hot Dam: Electrical & Ice Dam Issues, Home Inspections on Old Houses, Home Inspection Horrors, Hot in Here: Boilers and Furnaces; Understanding Old Houses: Preservation and Performance
Homeowners
NeighborWorks Home Partners (2019 - 2020)
Rethos (Formerly Preservation Alliance of Minnesota) (2019, 2020, 2023, 2024)
Wings Financial (Minneapolis MN) (2019)
Classes: Hot in Here: Boilers and Furnaces; Home Maintenance; Home Inspections for Sellers; Understanding Old Houses: Preservation and Performance
Home Inspector Trainer - Structure Tech Home Inspections, 2020 - 2022
Develop Training Program & Curriculum, Conduct Hiring & Inspector Training
Guest Lecturer
University of Minnesota - Sustainable Systems Management (SSM) Orientation Class, 2016 - 2022
University of Minnesota - Building Systems Performance: Testing & Diagnostics Class, 2014 & 2022
Publications
Volunteering
Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI), (served 2019, 2020 & 2022)
ASHI Education Committee (2022)
Habitat for Humanity (2007 - present)
First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee: Tijuana, Mexico house building mission trip (2005)
Awards
2018 TeamWoman WaveMaker Uncharted Terriorty Award Nominee