About Us

Bret Kaufmann

New Jersey Licensed Home Inspector #24GI000186

Since 1985, Bret Kaufmann has performed more than 12,000 home inspections. Kaufmann studied engineering at the United States Military Academy at W est Point and received a B.S. degree in Applied Science. After military service as infantry officer, Army Airborne Ranger, Blackhawk Pilot, and aviation operations officer, Kaufmann was honorably retired from U.S. Army.

In 1985, Kaufmann co-founded an engineering and home inspection company, and served as its vice president. During this time, Bret Kaufmann trained all new inspectors as his company expanded to seven locations in New Jersey. These inspectors are currently some of the most successful home inspectors in the Garden State. In addition, Kaufmann managed all aspects of construction operations for the engineering company. Bret Kaufmann sold his interest in the engineering company in 2001 and founded Kaufmann Consultants, LLC.

• Special expertise in new construction
• Special interest in older homes
• Guest speaker on WMTR radio station addressing older homes
• Renovation and maintenance consultant to historic landmarks, churches, and schools in Morris County, NJ
• Seminar speaker for prospective home buyers and sellers about the home inspection process
• Director and President, Garden State Chapter, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). In this role, Kaufmann has organized and given monthly two-hour education classes that New Jersey licensed home inspectors attend for continuing education credits.
• Member, American Society of Home Inspectors, ASHI, since 1988.
• Kaufmann currently serves as a mentor to prospective home inspectors and newly licensed inspectors as part of their study curriculum.

Kyle Kaufmann

New Jersey Licensed Home Inspector #24GI 153000

Kyle Kaufmann studied at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

In 2013, Kyle worked for a medical construction company building and renovating treatment facilities in central New Jersey. This construction work served as an introduction to the building field and as a stepping stone for him to learn the proper way to install complicated systems in commercial buildings.

In 2015, Kyle joined Kaufmann Consultants, LLC and began his apprenticeship under Bret Kaufmann to learn the skills necessary to be a home inspector. During this time Kyle performed over 500 home inspections under the direct supervision of the Kaufmann Consultants inspectors. Kyle Kaufmann studied and graduated from Building Inspectors Career Institute.

Joseph Finora

Professional Engineer License # 24GE05337900

Joe Finora studied at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ

Joe Finora is a structural engineer specializing in marine infrastructure and naval architecture. He has 8 years of experience in marine engineering and construction projects including site assessments and surveys, rehabilitation and design, cost estimation, and structural inspections.

He has experience in the inspection, analysis, and design of various marine structures such as pile supported piers, breakwaters, bulkheads, docks, and retaining systems. He has led numerous above and underwater structural inspections of waterfront facilities both in the New York Metro area and abroad. His education and experience in marine engineering combined with his commercial diving certifications make him an unparalleled expert in the marine industry. The combined skills allow for the unique ability to visually assess underwater structural elements in true “hands on” fashion.

Rick Hammitt

New Jersey Licensed Home Inspector #GI00041000

Rick Hammitt founded Foresight Engineering in 1984. He has conducted over 15,000 home inspections since entering the industry in 1982. He has also performed structural engineering studies and has been involved in radon testing and remediation since 1985. Rick is a Licensed Professional Engineer, specializing in structural issues related to houses and buildings.

He has also completed dozens of Reserve Funding Studies for Condominium Associations. Rick is a Licensed Home Inspector, and is a long time member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). He is certified as a Radon Specialist by the NJDEP.

During the same period, he was also involved in residential construction and renovation. Rick has trained a number of home inspectors over the years, including, coincidentally, the 2006 National ASHI and Garden State ASHI presidents.

Prior to inspection work, Rick worked as an engineer in industry, including Exxon Research and Engineering Co. Rick earned a BSE in mechanical engineering from Princeton University and a MSE in the same field from the University of Michigan.

David Winkle

New Jersey Licensed Home Inspector #GI24001185

David Winkle started right into the family business of residential construction immediately after high school. David joined the US Army in 1998 and served honorably as an artilleryman until 2002. After serving, David returned to New Jersey and continued in the construction field specializing in Shore Homes and in particular, exterior weather-proofing. David is an expert at home exteriors (roofing, fiberglass, siding, flashings and wall and roof penetrations. David Winkle studied and graduated from Building Inspectors Career Institute. Dave has also received "hands-on" training directly by Bret Kaufmann.