Joseph Leo

A Top-Notch, Timely and Thorough Inspection Team

By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D.

Photos by Sasha Marceta with Skyview Experts

Joseph Leo started his career in the construction industry where he “built” a lot of hands-on experience and knowledge working alongside his father, an Italian immigrant who owned a small general contracting company — and who Joseph identifies as his greatest influence and inspiration in life. Joseph later put his experience to good use at Walbridge Aldinger, a worldwide construction general contractor where he worked as a superintendent and project manager.

Joseph “loved the work” and the pay at Walbridge, but after many years, the stress of his position was beginning to wear on him. “As fate would have it, while I was vacationing in Marquette, I met an older gentleman who was a home inspector, and our conversation — and the long drive home I spent contemplating my options — prompted me to put in my two-week notice at Walbridge and pursue a new path,” Joseph said. “At the time, I knew all aspects of construction but nothing about the home inspection business, so when we started the company, we felt our way through the learning process. Now, almost 20 years later, we have become the model for successful inspection companies.”

Joseph and his partner, Karen Clover, established Conclusive Inspection Services (CIS) in 2003. During their first month in business, they performed one home inspection and finished their first year with only 40. “Karen told me to get a second job as a bartender because it wasn’t working out at first, but I had no doubt in my mind that our business would succeed,” Joseph said. “And I was right: This year we will perform over 1,000 inspections.”

CIS provides inspection services for residential, commercial and industrial properties — including churches — as well as radon, air quality, fungus, asbestos and pest inspections. Depending on the size of the property, CIS arrives on-site with at least two inspectors — always at least one male and one female — who can conduct a thorough inspection of a 3,000-square-foot property in two hours or less. In addition to their timely inspection process, CIS makes themselves readily available to clients by working seven days a week during daylight hours. The company also maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, CIS generated hard copies of their inspection reports on-site — a practice they will resume as soon as possible — but for the time being, CIS sends every client an electronic copy of the report on the same day of the inspection. Joseph and his team also provide clients a maintenance package that details seasonal and life-cycle recommendations as well as a cost package containing labor and material costs for repairs and replacements to the property.

All CIS inspectors are certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and required to complete annual continuing education courses in order to ensure that they remain current with the industry’s standards and best practices. Backed by the “We Provide Peace of Mind” motto, CIS inspectors make client education a top priority and are always eager to share their knowledge and expertise with others.

“We are not alarmists, and we always try to frame the negatives in a positive way,” Joseph said. “We provide our clients all the facts, as well as all the solutions.”

For the first 12 years, Joseph and Karen managed all aspects of the business: advertising, scheduling, inspecting, providing reports and conducting additional testing. Then, in 2014, they hired their first female inspector and continued to expand their company. Today, CIS includes two male/female teams, office support staff and couriers who transport radon kits and test samples to the lab. Joseph, whose credentials include a construction engineering degree, a builder’s license since 1990 and ASHI membership, serves as the company’s chief inspector. Karen, who has a degree in accounting and work experience in construction accounting, manages the administrative end of the company.

Joseph is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer in 2011. His doctors said that he wouldn’t live more than six weeks … It has now been seven years since his last chemotherapy treatment, and he is as strong and healthy as ever. Joseph is also a first-generation American and a family man. Although both of his parents are now deceased, their legacy of love, kindness, honesty and hard work lives on in Joseph, who is a father of two. His son, August, 27, is a freelance cinematographer, and his daughter, Isabella, 25, is the head of human resources at a large dental firm. Joseph, Karen and his children all enjoy Sunday gatherings together. Joseph also enjoys golfing with his son, spending time up north, entertaining and the occasional casino trip.

“I was 40 years old when I started this company, and I know that it was what I was meant to do,” Joseph said. “After completing over 10,000 inspections, I am still energized every time I arrive on-site. I love to help people make important life decisions, and buying a home is one of life’s biggest decisions.”

For more information about Conclusive Inspection Services, call 248-399-6969, email conspect@hotmail.com, or visit conclusiveinspect.net.

Joseph Leo, Conclusive Inspection Services - Partner Spotlight