About Us

Mike Lacheta, Owner & Lead Inspector, standing in front of a brick home

Meet Your Home Inspector

Mike Lacheta, Owner & Lead Inspector

Hi, I'm Mike Lacheta, owner and lead inspector at Retriever Home Inspection. I'm proud to serve homeowners and buyers in Southern Chicago-Land, the Greater Kankakee Area, and North West Indiana.

I've been hands-on with homes my entire adult life. Starting at age 15, I've spent over 30 years working in carpentry, home construction, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, drywall, painting, trim work, and general maintenance and repairs. I grew up helping my father and grandfather with remodeling and general carpentry, later worked with a remodeling company, ran my own side remodeling projects (kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, tile, and more) and built custom homes, pole barns, and log homes from the ground up, including concrete work all the way to the roof shingles.

Along the way, I gained valuable experience as a maintenance engineer in a manufacturing setting and as a field service engineer repairing large commercial electrical generators and transfer switches. Through it all, I've done countless home upgrades, repairs, and maintenance projects for my own family, friends, and neighbors, and I turned that lifelong passion and practical knowledge into a professional home inspection career.

Retriever Home Inspection

Trained, Licensed & Committed to Standards

I'm trained through the American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) program and fully licensed as a home inspector in Illinois. I'm also a member of InterNACHI to stay current with the latest standards and best practices. I'm also a licensed FAA Part 107 remote pilot, so I can safely use drone technology to inspect roofs, chimneys, and other hard-to-reach areas. With my deep background in how homes are actually built and maintained, I bring a thorough, practical eye to every inspection. My clients appreciate how reliable, honest, and educational my reports are, even when we find issues that need attention. I explain everything in clear, straightforward language so you can make confident decisions about your home purchase or sale.

Dedicated to You

Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced homeowner, I treat every inspection with the same care I would give my own family's home. No shortcuts, just honest, detailed work you can trust.

I look forward to helping you feel confident and informed about your next real estate step.

Mike Lacheta, FAA Part 107 licensed drone pilot, operating a drone during an inspection

On the Job

From electrical panels to aerial roof views, here's a look at the thorough, hands-on work that goes into every inspection, along with the two golden retrievers behind the name.

Mike Lacheta inspecting an open electrical panel with a flashlight
Detailed electrical inspections
A drone hovering over a home’s roof and chimney during an aerial inspection
FAA Part 107 aerial roof views
Mike Lacheta kneeling between his two golden retrievers
The retrievers behind the name
Mike Lacheta with his two golden retrievers in front of a brick home
Proudly local and family-run

Ready for an Inspection You Can Actually Trust?

Book directly with Mike. No call center, no upsell scripts, no waiting. Most inspections can be scheduled within 48 hours.

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