Connecting Round Rock Dads: Ross Black
Ross Black is a retired firefighter and Round Rock dad who founded First Responding Home Inspections, a family-owned home inspection company serving Central Texas with a focus on safety, education, and local knowledge.
This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating the dads who make Round Rock the kind of place we’re glad to call home. Meet Ross Black, the retired firefighter behind First Responding Home Inspections — here, in his own words:
Who is your family, and what do you want us to know about them?
My family is a Central Texas team through and through. My wife, Cheryl, is a native Texan with an MBA from Texas State and manages the “business” side of our business. We have a teenage son/soccer star who can out-math both of us already. Our WilCo Animal Shelter adoptees, Wilkins and Jinx, run the house and graciously let us live in it. My mom, sister, and brother-in-law live in Round Rock, too.
What would be your ideal way to spend Father’s Day?
The ideal day is low-key and in the backyard. I’d have the smoker going with a brisket, spend some time throwing the football with my son, and hang out with the dogs. If the Cubs happen to be on TV and pull off a win, that’s the perfect finish.
Describe your business.
I founded First Responding Home Inspections in 2024 and took it full-time in 2025. We are a true mom-and-pop operation. Our mission is to provide Central Texans with home inspection services focused on safety, education, and local knowledge. As a retired firefighter and “teacher’s kid” with a communications degree, I leverage my professional safety training and local roots to help neighbors suss out the important details so they can move into their homes with confidence.
What’s your favorite part of your business?
My favorite part of the job is watching the shift from uncertainty to confidence. There is a specific kind of joy that comes when a client realizes their dream home is a truly sound investment, and an equal sense of relief when we help them knowledgeably avoid a “bad fit” that doesn’t align with their goals. Beyond the technical side, I love the community aspect of this work. Whether we’re chatting about classic cars after the inspection or getting to know the family dog, I truly enjoy meeting the people who make Round Rock such a great place to live. It’s about more than just a house; it’s about the people moving into it.
What is one challenge with your business?
Our biggest challenge is shifting the perception of the home inspector as a “deal killer.” We view ourselves as educators, not obstacles. We work hard to categorize our findings into “DIY,” “Plan For,” or “Real Problems” so that buyers and Realtors have a roadmap rather than a reason to panic. Maintaining those high standards and firefighter calm while keeping the conversation constructive and focused on solutions is a balance we prioritize every single day.
How does your business give back to the community?
Our family has a huge heart for the Williamson County Animal Shelter; we are consistent donors and a proud rescue family, having adopted both dogs (Wilkins & Jinx) from their facility. We are also lifelong members of the Friends of the Round Rock Public Library, and my wife/co-owner, Cheryl, volunteers at the Round Rock Area Serving Center food pantry. Professionally, we carry that spirit of service into our business by offering specialized discounts for first responders and military personnel—it’s our small way of saying thank you to those who protect and serve our community.
How can Round Rock (and the surrounding areas) support your business?
The best support we can receive is the gift of a referral or a review! In our community, word of mouth is everything. Sharing your experience with your Realtor or leaving a Google review helps us reach more families. Even if you aren’t currently in the market for a home, following our social media for maintenance tips—like how to protect your foundation or how to prep for termite season—helps us stay connected with our neighbors.
Anything else you’d like us to know?
I treat every inspection as if my family were moving in. That means I typically only do 1 inspection per day so that nobody feels rushed. I can answer all the client’s questions and still guarantee the report is delivered that same evening. I’m committed to the safety and success of Round Rock families, and am always happy to talk shop, swap brisket recipes, or pet a cute mutt.
Happy Father’s Day, Ross — from all of us at Round the Rock. Follow First Responding Home Inspections on Instagram and Facebook.
