iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%99+54Reliability 24%100+24.2Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%39+2.8Experts Score= 95Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.95SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#15 of 27 building inspectorsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 46%
5.0★★★★★587 Google reviews · 14 photos
99%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Cowley Home Inspections LLC five stars based on 587 reviews, noting the owner replies to 25 percent of feedback. Customers consistently describe the home inspections as thorough and detailed, highlighting clear communication, punctuality, and fair pricing. Reviewers often mention that the documented reports, which include photos and explanations, helped identify significant property issues and facilitated successful negotiations or repairs.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 587 reviews (99% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 587 Google reviews (420 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 25% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 5, 2026.
Service: Building Inspector serving Athens, Alabama.
Data from Google, last updated October 25, 2026.
Score profile vs other building inspectors
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: reliability and craft & service; weakest: replies to reviews.
Cowley Home Inspections LLCBuilding Inspectors median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Cowley Home Inspections LLC: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.A
99
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Cowley Home Inspections LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.A
100
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Cowley Home Inspections LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Cowley Home Inspections LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Cowley Home Inspections LLC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Cowley Home Inspections LLC: 39/100 on this factor. Category median: 50.D
39
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
587 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars57999%
4 stars71%
3 stars10%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 420 written reviews
100%praise
Praise982100%
Complaints40%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price213%
Reasonable1387%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Quality & results29530%
Staff & attitude22022%
Would recommend18519%
Speed & response12012%
Communication10811%
Price & value293%
Honesty & trust293%
What customers talk about
We read 420 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Michael did a fantastic and thorough job inspecting the home and listing out all of the items with photos and his recommendations.”
“Beyond his sharp eye for issues, he is genuinely personable and took the time to walk us through every finding on-site so we understood exactly what w…”
“I would recommend Cowley Home Inspections to anyone looking to purchase a home.”
“The final report was detailed, clear, and delivered quickly.”
“…oked like they were replaced but not done right, the bathtub drained slowly, the roof needs to be redone, and various other things that we weren't abl…”
“Very friendly and explained things, I would recommend them to others.”
“Overall prices are extremely fair, he answered every time I called, was thorough with inspection and detailed in findings.”
“Hired Cowley home inspection to give me an honest , non biased inspection , after I had a fire damaged home rebuilt.”
People customers mention
Michael58 reviews
Mike11 reviews
Crowley4 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Cowley Home Inspections LLC for 4 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Sam5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Cowley Home Inspections had been recommended to me by my realtor, and I had seen them recommended on the HSV reddit as well. Michael did a fantastic and thorough job inspecting the home and listing out all of the items with photos and his recommendations. It was truly very detailed and informative. I highly recommend Cowley Home Inspections :)
Caleb4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Very pleased all the way around. Was Recommended Michael from a friend. Overall prices are extremely fair, he answered every time I called, was thorough with inspection and detailed in findings. Website is also very easy to work. Highly recommend.
Clint10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
If you are looking for a home inspector, stop searching and call Michael at Cowley Home Inspections LLC. Buying a house is stressful, but Michael gave us absolute peace of mind. He is unbelievably thorough—he climbed into every space and caught details that we never would have noticed on our own. Beyond his sharp…
Zachary6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Mr. Cowley did a wonderful job with our inspection. So much so that he was able to remove our blinders from serious issues the property had. If it weren’t for Cowley Home Inspections, our family likely would have closed on a house that ultimately needs roughly $30k in costs to fix and make safe. We owe him a huge…
Amanda4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Mr Cowley done an excellent job and was very detailed in his report and provided the pictures to support the report. I highly recommend this company.
Pam2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Michael Cowley has preformed several home inspections for us over the years and has always done a great job. He has many years of experience. His reports are thorough and professional that outline the critical and everyday minor issues that every home may have. I would recommend Cowley Home Inspections to anyone looking to purchase a home.
Cowley Home Inspections had been recommended to me by my realtor, and I had seen them recommended on the HSV reddit as well. Michael did a fantastic and thorough job inspecting the home and listing out all of the items with photos and his recommendations. It was truly very detailed and informative. I highly recommend Cowley Home Inspections :)
Caleb sherrill4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Caleb has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Very pleased all the way around. Was Recommended Michael from a friend. Overall prices are extremely fair, he answered every time I called, was thorough with inspection and detailed in findings. Website is also very easy to work. Highly recommend.
Clint Dunlap10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Clint has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
If you are looking for a home inspector, stop searching and call Michael at Cowley Home Inspections LLC. Buying a house is stressful, but Michael gave us absolute peace of mind. He is unbelievably thorough—he climbed into every space and caught details that we never would have noticed on our own. Beyond his sharp eye for issues, he is genuinely personable and took the time to walk us through every finding on-site so we understood exactly what we were looking at. The final report was detailed, clear, and delivered quickly. Worth every single penny. I highly recommend him!
Donald Steelman7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Donald has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Mr. Cowley did a wonderful job with our inspection. So much so that he was able to remove our blinders from serious issues the property had. If it weren’t for Cowley Home Inspections, our family likely would have closed on a house that ultimately needs roughly $30k in costs to fix and make safe. We owe him a huge thank you and will be using him when we find the next potential “dream home.”
Amanda Duffy4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Amanda has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Michael Cowley has preformed several home inspections for us over the years and has always done a great job. He has many years of experience. His reports are thorough and professional that outline the critical and everyday minor issues that every home may have. I would recommend Cowley Home Inspections to anyone looking to purchase a home.
Samantha Williams-Hansson6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Samantha has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Give them a call!
I called with concerns I had for my home and was offered a lot of helpful information that gave me more peace of mind on what's going on for my home repair, along with a quote for them to come out if needed. Will definelty call again when needing a full inspection in the future. Very knowledgeable, helpful, professional, and kind.
Thanks again for the info!
Kristen Cooper3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kristen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I'm very pleased with Michael Cowley with Cowley Home Inspections. He was able to get to my home inspection request very quickly and provided a very thorough report. I would definitely recommend to anyone needing a home inspector.
