What our customers are saying
Former reviews from Angie's List
Al Tapp was a co-owner of a larger inspection company. He separated from a partner and started Inspector CLE in 2018. Unfortunately Angie's List would not pull reviews from the prior company.
The following reviews were extracted from the prior company. Only those with Al's name are shown and can be verified by searching The Home Detective on Anglie's List.
Testimonials
4/9/2018
Both Allen and the report he provided exceeded our expectations. He took time to explain his thorough observations during the process. The organized report we received (which included photos) will become a valuable resource as we move forward with our home purchase.
12/10/2017
I met with Allen from the Home Detective, and we went through the property. He explained everything clearly, and answered all of my questions quickly…
2/9/2017
Al and Mike effectively communicated all found issues during the home inspection and did a great job answering my questions. The inspection report was detailed, thorough, and included lots of pictures. I needed a follow-up inspection and was easily able to schedule it. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a home inspection. It was a pleasure working with Al and Mike.…
10/10/2017
Allen and Mike were absolutely fantastic throughout the process, from first contact to report submittal. Within 5 minutes of the start of the inspection I knew I had made the right choice. Aside from providing the typical 'boiler plate' inspection, they took the time to inspect specific areas of concern I had and went above what I expected several times. Their explanations of specific home systems (venting, wiring, plumbing, ect) were presented in an educational manner. It was important to them that you were not only aware of their findings but also understood their meanings and impact. They had a final comprehensive report completed with photos to myself and the realtor within 24 hours. Top notch operation, would use again. Highly recommended! Their coupon from Angie's List was just icing on the cake!
6/25/2017
Allen did a great job. He was professional, detail oriented and timely. This is an older home on the West Side of Cleveland, and he reviewed every inch of this house he could access. He explained any issues as we walked through the home and gave me a very detailed inspection report. He also came back to check a few things that were fixed about a month later. I would use Home Detective again and I recommend them.
6/14/2017
Al and his partner were amazing! Would most definitely recommend.
6/13/2017
Excellent. Al was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain in detail what he was seeing and how to correct the issue. This is my first home purchase so I had a ton of questions and he was happy to answer anything I threw at him. Mention the listing on Angie's List and you can even get a small discount. Every little bit helps when buying a home.
6/3/2017
It went great. He made sure to walk us around and explain everything to use. He was very detailed oriented and made sure to document everything. His report was very useful in the end. I would highly recommend.…
Description of work: I needed a duplex inspected and Allen gave me the best price around. Other companies were trying to charge double.
3/27/2017
I was honestly shocked by how great my inspection went. Allen was very thorough, took his time going through the home piece by piece. As a first time home buyer, I was very nervous and overwhelmed by the thought of the whole process but he took his time, explained everything so it was easy for me to understand. He also taught me things about the house I didn't know anything about. He did such a great job, that even my agent asked for a couple of his cards. This is saying a lot because she's been in the business for a long time and has no problem telling you where to go if she doesn't think your work is satisfactory for her buyers. I will be recommending this company and hopefully in the future using them again. A+++++ Thank you, Allen for doing such a wonderful job!!
2/20/2017
Al did more than we could ask as first-time home buyers. We could walk with him through each and every step of the way, giving us details on each aspect of the home (inside and out). If we had any questions, he would patiently help us along the way and give tips on things we could do in the future, as well as answering questions we had through e-mail after the inspection. His report that he provided us electronically gives detailed information, including pictures for his entire inspection. We could not ask for a better experience, giving us more confidence as first-time home owners.
11/2/2016
Allen was professional and knowledgeable in all things about the home inspection process. I am also a retired military member and he gave me a really good discount for both a home inspection and pest inspection. Recommend anyone in the Cleveland area that need an inspection completed please do not look further than The Home Detective. Thank you Al!!!
8/27/2016 Description of work: Mr Tapp arrived early for our home inspection, clearly explained his role and the factors he would be looking for. He walked us through his inspection process, and anywhere he saw an issue or potential risk, he explained what we might do to mitigate or repair it, and what costs he would expect for anything major. He was very thorough and helpful, we highly recommend his business.
8/16/2016
I found the Home Detective on Angie's List, and I decided to go with them due to very good reviews, and they exceeded my expectations. I scheduled the appointment with John over the phone, he was very nice, and worked around our schedule to accommodate us. Al was the one who performed the inspection, he got there before we did and had already started. He answered all of our questions very thoroughly even if they weren't related to the inspection. He was extremely nice. He didn't miss any spots in the house, he went in the attic, even though the opening was in a very tiny closet. Next day he emailed me a very thorough report that included pictures and explanations. I highly recommend them! It has been a great experience!
6/23/2016
Allen was amazing. He did a thorough review of what seemed to be every inch of the house, both inside and out, making sure to answer all my questions and point out issues I could remedy myself. Three and a half hours later, I had a much better idea of the overall structure of the house, instead of just the surface details. The next day, I received a detailed, complete overview of any issues he documented, along with photos of the issue and any fixes to be made. We have other friends and family looking for new homes, and I would not hesitate to recommend The Home Detective for their home inspection needs.
6/5/2016
Description of work: Al arrived to the property on time and ready to go. He answered all of our questions and provided insight on how to address some non critical issues. He found a crack in the basement that made him suggest to us to bring in a structural engineer. We did so and found out there was some major structural damage. He saved us a lot of headaches and we did not purchase that house. I will be calling again when we find another house we like. I have recommended him to 2 other people who have used his service and they were both very pleased with the results.
6/3/2016
Al is completely professional and knowledgeable. We are so happy he went through the house with us
4/26/2016
Description of work: Al was amazing, we had a great experience. He was through and informative! would highly recommend.
4/18/2016
Al was really helpful. In addition to providing a thorough inspection and identifying several items that needed to be corrected by our builder, he provided lots of helpful tips and recommendations. He is clearly very knowledgeable while being friendly. We also appreciated his flexibility in scheduling the appointment (he was able to reschedule on our request and was nice about it). Overall, a good price (I checked others) and a good experience. Thanks!
3/13/2016
Al and Todd were fantastic! They were thorough, explained every step of their process and went through every detail on the home we are purchasing and let us know whether or not it was something we needed to worry about or could live with. Extremely knowledgable and professional! I would recommend The Home Detective to a friend, my family and anyone else in need of a home inspection!
3/7/2016
Al and his team did two home inspections for us, one that led us to back out of a purchasing a house, and the other that led to purchasing our new home. They were very thorough, timely, and professional. We would definitely recommend them.
2/22/2016
Al provided excellent service. He took the time to preview the home and then walk us through the process in detail. I have purchased 5 homes before and his assessment was professional and accurate. He provided a non-bias approach and ensured I understood what the issues, considerations and the potential maintenance we should be aware of. I highly recommend his services.
2/6/2016
Al was at the property before we arrived and was very friendly, he made us feel comfortable from the start. He went over every part of the house with us and showed us not only things that were being inspected but also shut off valves and things that were good to know in the future. He was very knowledgeable and funny. I feel very confident we received a thorough and accurate inspection.
12/21/2015
We found Al and John on Angie's List and all of the reviews were great. We recently purchased our first home and they did the general inspection and radon test for us. We were able to schedule our appointment 3 days before we needed the inspection done and they fit us in. The price they quoted us was significantly less than other quotes we had. They showed up on time and walked us through every step of the inspection. They were very thorough and helpful, not only with things they noticed, but also with general home maintenance tips for our first home. Both Al and John worked as a team to get the inspection done in a timely manner. While one walked us through one part of the inspection, the other person was already getting us ready for the next step. We would highly recommend the home detective to anyone and we were extremely happy with their service!
12/21/2015
Al performed a house inspection on the home I am planning on purchasing. I have had two other house inspections on homes I was planning on purchasing and this house inspection was by far the best experience. He was extremely thorough with inspection. He was also very interactive, explaining things to me and my husband throughout the entire inspection. He emailed me his report the same day he completed the inspection. His findings have helped me decide to go further with purchasing the house he inspected. I highly recommend him for house inspections!
12/7/2015
I highly recommend Allen. He is on time, thorough when answering questions, and seemed knowledgable in regards to a wide array of topics. Price of inspection was very reasonable.…
Description of work: Allen was prompt and efficient, quick turn around time (within 24 hrs) of inspection, went on the roof, found additional issues and concerns that FHA appraiser did not see. Allen also came back for final walk through prior to closing to reassess electrical panel replaced by electrician in addition to some GFCI outlets that were replaced.
11/18/2015
He found a few problems and reported them to us at the time and send a written report by email the next day. He also did a radon test that required a device that ran for 48 hours. He pickup the device and went over the results with us and sent us a written report by email the next day. Al was very friendly and professional and had good suggestions on the corrections that needed to be made. I felt very comfortable with him inspecting our house. He was very thorough even reporting one painted electrical socket. I would hire him again.
9/17/2015
Al and John were great! They arrived early, were very thorough, answered all of our questions and provided a comprehensive report in less than 24 hours. We would definitely recommend them.
8/29/2015
Great service! I would highly recommend Al and The Home Detective. He was highly skilled and knowledgeable, he was able to explain different home issues in words we could understand (this will be our first home).…
Description of work: Complete inspection of the house we are going to buy, took pictures, wrote notes, and provided a detailed report.
7/8/2015
Al did a great job with the use of a drone to spot signs of leakage around a second story window. The drone took detailed photos and showed me where I needed to do repairs and re caulk. I would definitely use Al and his company again.
6/28/2015
Al performed the inspection. He was courteous, prompt and explained in easy to understand terms what was going on with the house. He was good about giving his opinion on what he felt would be areas of the home that would need immediate attention and those areas where it was not as pressing. Very, very thorough and will give it to you straight. He didn't rush or act like his mind was already on his next job which was appreciated. I highly recommend his services!
5/10/2015
Our appointment was scheduled towards the end of the day to accommodate our work schedule's. When we got there Allen had finished with the outside inspection and very thoroughly walked us through outside and inside. He explained everything very well and gave us little tips on how to fix any minor issues with little cost. Extremely professional and knowledgeable. I HIGHLY recommend them for any and all inspection needs!
2/12/2015
It went quite well. While we were prepared to spend hours at the house the day of the inspection, the whole general inspection took only about an hour and a half. Our inspector provided some helpful insights into general maintenance things we could do to protect against future damage if we chose to purchase the home, which was nice because this purchase would be our first home. Besides that, there wasn't much wrong with the house. Radon testing results came back very low (and the radon tester was kind enough to use more testing units than he was required to use, to test more areas of the house). Besides the initial inspection, our tester offered to come back when the few repairs he recommended were completed, to inspect the repairs and let us know if they're adequate. We took him up on the offer! Our inspector, Al, was very friendly, and availability was no problem. He met us on the weekend for the first inspection and on a weekday at night for the second. Great guy, very friendly and professional. The radon tester, David, was also a very good guy. When all the inspections were done, both inspectors sent us complete reports of the results. We are very happy with the service from The Home Detective! Recommended!
11/8/2014
Al and John arrived on time. They recommended I accompany them throughout the entire process of the inspection. I preferred they made inspection of each category singularly and discuss the results before going to the next category. This gave me time to think over what was explained to me and ask questions . They are very knowledgeable about all aspects of home building and maintenance. Problems were found and several tests were conducted to help isolate the trouble spots in the plumbing. These men are well worth your time and trust. The deficiencies found amounts to several thousand dollars....most of which would not have been found without their expertise....thanks to AL and JOHN my dreams might have been dashed but my wallet didn't suffer.
11/2/2014
It went Well. Al was professional, punctual and answered all of my questions. He took time inspecting the home and advised me of any issues that he thought needed corrected. I received a complete .pdf of my report within 24 hours.
9/15/2014
I called a total of three home inspectors and professional communication via telephone with prompt returned phone calls is what got the Home Detectives the job. Also, I like that they have two heads working together throughout the 2.5 hours home inspection. I met with Al and Eric for a new home purchase inspection within a few days of calling to schedule an appointment. They were prompt, thorough, professional, and had several recommendations (safety enhancements, violations, maintenance recommendations, and repairs) that they photographed and documented for me in a 15 page detailed report. I received the report the same day of the inspection. They not only honored the Angie's list discount of $30 but provided an additional $10 off for cash/check payment. They made me feel confident I was buying a good home, which made me excited to move-in ASAP. Thanks for your professionalism.
8/23/2014
Al went above and beyond!!! Professional, patient and knowledgeable. Al was punctual, went over everything thoroughly and explained clearly what he found. Climbed his ladder in the rain to check the roof, crawled under the deck and into the attic, he even went so far as to pacify an overly curious neighbor. We felt confident proceeding with the home buying process thanks to Al.
6/3/2014
Al was fantastic!! He showed up to the house early and had already fully inspected the exterior by the time we arrived. He gave us a review of outside issues and then we went through the inside of the house together room by room. I appreciated the way he explained things in terms we could understand, as we have very little knowledge of anything structural/electrical, etc. Al also demonstrated his willingness to go above and beyond when he crawled through the dirt underneath the deck just to find a dryer vent! :) Our inspection was at 4:30pm on a Friday and Al had the inspection report completed by 10am the next morning! The report was 15 pgs and it included detailed descriptions of issues along with pictures. My realtor commented that it was one of the best inspection reports she had seen.. very organized, condensed, yet detailed. It was a pleasure working with Al and we would absolutely work with him again!
4/30/2014
Al was amazing! He was able to squeeze us in for an appointment next day when others were booked out for 8 days. He was punctual and friendly. He was SO thorough. He spent over two and a half hours inspecting the house. He crawled into every nook and cranny. He checked every outlet. He used his flashlight to inspect all corners. He noted every detail on exterior that needed caulking. I can't emphasize how much attention to detail he had. He was super-helpful in noting all of the things we can do to improve and maintain the home. He answered all of our questions (we came prepared with a long list) and more. He really took his time with us. Then the next morning we got his report which again was super detailed and thorough. I have already recommended him to two friends and I do the same to you! You won't be sorry!
10/24/2013
My wife and I worked with Howard Hanna as our realtor. When we signed the contract on our house-to-be, HH gave their ?preferred vendors? for home inspection. After conducting a lot of research, we opted to go with The Home Detectives instead. Our HH agent was skeptical and asked to attend the home inspection. Additionally, my father in law, who buys and sells real estate as a hobby, was in attendance. On the day our inspection was scheduled, Al from the Home Detectives showed up to the house early. He had done a cursory inspection before we arrived and had already identified a couple of things that he wanted to check out more closely. The inspection was extremely thorough, but not excessive. Al pointed out everything that was cause for concern, but also pointed out a lot of things that were really great about our house (it?s always nice to know that there are some really great things about how your house is designed/built/maintained!). Al also pointed out several things that were not a concern in the short term, but may be so in the long run. He also differentiated between the things that we should contract out and the things that we could do ourselves, which was helpful for new home owners. Al even invited us to contact him if we weren't sure how to conduct aspects of home repair. That?s a great resource to have! Overall, for an average cost, we got an incredible inspection and a very detailed report that was sent the same night! We appreciated his knowledge, experience, and willingness to endure many questions from new homeowners. Perhaps more telling was the approval of my father in law and the words of our real estate agent: That was extremely thorough, and the inspector really knew what he was talking about!?
6/23/2013
Al was great! He arrived before the scheduled time and was very thorough in his inspection. He had a great sense of humor and was easy to talk to and ask questions on items he had pointed out to me. He explained things in "laimans terms" so I could understand what he meant.
5/27/2013
Al did an excellent job on our home inspection. He was professional and was already at the house at prior to our meeting time. He was very thorough, explained everything as he went along, and gave good tips for home maintenance in the future. We had a few issues that required other experts to address. He answered all of our questions, and if he didn't know the answer led us in the direction of someone that would know. We received the inspection report the same day, even though it was a holiday weekend. We would definitely recommend him to anyone. The Home Detective is a service provider to Angie's list!
5/8/2013
Al did an excellent job. He spent 3 hours inspecting every inch of house inside and out. He was very knowledgeable and helpful solutions for fixing many of the problems that we found. He finished the inspection at 7:30 PM and had the full report in my inbox by 8:00 AM the next morning. I would definitely use The Home Detective again if I ever need another inspection.
3/6/2013
Allen was very thorough! He arrived early to do a look-over so that once I arrived he could get started informing of potential problems. He was very knowledgeable and answered any questions that I had. He took photos and provided us with the results very quickly. My husband came later than I did and he was more than willing to go over and even show everything that was found with him which was very helpful! I was very impressed with him and would definitely use this company again.
10/24/2011
Excellent. I would definitely use them again and recommend to friends and family.…
Description of work: We had a full house inspection and a pest inspection. This is the second time Allen and John did a home inspection for us. The first house we ended up not getting because of the number of needed repairs. This time we're getting the house. John and Allen take their time to go over everything. They also made suggestions to help us plan when repairs would be needed in the future. Plus, once again, the two of them are fun to work with. They really appreciate how nerve wracking it can be to buy a new home and when there are problems they don't hold back or gloss it over. This time they put our minds at ease last time they saved us from a potential money-pit.
2/8/2011
Allen Tapp and John Farmiloe did a thorough home inspection for us prior to our purchase of a home. Al has a background in residential electricity, consumer electronics and quality control. John's experience is in construction and he is a former certified pest inspector. One inspected the exterior of the house and the landscaping/pitch of the yard while the other inspected the interior. They recommend you be there while they do the inspection because they walk you through every step of the inspection and explain in great detail what they are looking for and what they found. Any questions I had were answered, and anything I didn?t fully understand was explained to me in a way that I could understand. They are a vast source of information and tips. Immediately following their inspection, they printed and provided us with a detailed inspection report on site. They post your report on their website for you to download in a password protected spot for 30 days. Al and John are friendly, knowledgeable and thorough. Well worth the cost and I highly recommend them.