About us

A family company that inspects Southeast & Mid-Michigan

Trademark Inspection Services is a Michigan home inspection company that started in 2009 with one inspector, a ladder and his mother answering the phone. Seventeen years on it is a team of seventeen covering fourteen counties — and his mother still answers the phone.

2,000+ five-star reviews since 2009

Schedule an inspectionCall 734-331-3269

The Trademark Inspection Services team outside the Livonia, Michigan office
2,000+5-Star Reviews
16,000+Inspections Completed
Since 2009Family Owned and Run
7 DaysA Week, Including Weekends

Our story

One man, a ladder, and a question about falling off it

There was no business plan behind any of this. There was a business coach, asking Matt Cottenham what would happen to his family if he fell off a ladder and had no income.

Matt and Tiffany Cottenham, the founders of Trademark Inspection Services
Matt and Tiffany CottenhamMatt runs the company day to day. Tiffany came in as CFO in 2015 with a Master’s in Accounting and a career as a corporate accountant behind her.

“All of our employees have to fit our culture and have a servant’s heart.”

Matt Cottenham, founder
  1. 2009

    One man and a ladder

    Matt Cottenham founds the company in February, coming out of construction rather than into it.

  2. Early on

    A family operation, literally

    His mother Theresa answers the phones, Tiffany’s uncle Don runs the radon monitors, and Matt’s father Ralph and their daughter Kenzie help on jobs at weekends.

  3. 2015

    The question that changed it

    A business coach asks Matt what would happen to his family if he fell off a ladder. Tiffany joins full time as Chief Financial Officer.

  4. 2017

    From one inspector to a firm

    Demand outgrows a single pair of boots. Jim Guntzviller joins as a trainee and runs the inspection team today.

  5. 2020

    Client care becomes a department

    Kim Silvernail joins and takes ownership of it in her first week.

  6. 2021

    A name that finally fits

    Trademark Home Inspection, LLC becomes Trademark Inspection Services — the work had grown past home inspections years earlier.

  7. Today

    Seventeen people, fourteen counties

    Still family-owned, still answering the phone seven days a week. Theresa and Kenzie are still on the payroll.

Matt and MacKenzie Cottenham at a Trademark Home Inspection trade show booth in 2009
Matt and Mackenzie Cottenham, about 2009Working a trade show in the first years, back when the sign still read Trademark Home Inspection, LLC and the whole service list fit on one board.Let our family protect your family. The line Matt has used since the beginning has not needed updating.

Quotations and dates are from a partner spotlight on Trademark Inspection Services in Ann Arbor & Brighton Real Producers, April 2024.

What we are here for

Mission and vision

Our Mission

To provide our customers with the information they need to make a financially sound decision, as well as ensure the safety and health of their family in their home. As the leading home inspection and environmental testing provider in Southeast Michigan, we work together as one company, putting customers first, finding more efficient ways to meet our customers’ needs, and demonstrating ownership through initiative, accountability, respect, trust, transparency and collaboration, to deliver superior customer service.

Our Vision

To become the most trusted home inspection company in Southeast Michigan by providing world-class customer service, with continuous improvement driven by ongoing training, integrity and employee excellence.

“When I created this company and decided to grow it, I wanted to create an environment where I would want to work and have a career.”

Matt Cottenham, founder

Our core values

The five things on the office wall

Not a poster nobody reads. These are the standards people here are hired against and measured against.

  • Masters of ExcellenceCommitted to Being the Best

    We deliver exceptional residential, commercial, and environmental inspections and testing services, combining rigorous training and advanced technology to set the standard for quality and innovation.

  • Empowering LifestylesSupporting Every Team Member's Dreams

    When our team thrives, so does our company. We aim to create an environment where our people are not just employees but architects of their own success stories.

  • Building Strong FoundationsServing the Community We Love

    We are not just inspectors — we are neighbors, advocates, and contributors. Our mission is to uplift the communities in which we serve.

  • Five-Star ExperienceDelivering Unparalleled Service

    We redefine customer service with professionalism, clear communication, and personalized care. Every step of the process is designed to ensure a seamless and worry-free experience for our clients and partners.

  • Unstoppable MomentumRelentless in All We Do

    We approach challenges with determination, opportunities with enthusiasm, and setbacks with resilience. This relentless drive cements our reputation as leaders in the industry.

Meet the team

The 17 people behind the reports

Inspectors, coordinators and one dog. Whoever picks up your call and whoever walks your property is on this page.

Leadership

The four people who set how the company runs.

  • Matt Cottenham, General Manager and founder of Trademark Inspection Services

    Matt Cottenham

    General Manager

    Certified Master Inspector

  • Tiffany Cottenham, Chief Financial Officer at Trademark Inspection Services

    Tiffany Cottenham

    Chief Financial Officer

  • Jim Guntzviller, Inspector Manager at Trademark Inspection Services

    Jim Guntzviller

    Inspector Manager

    Certified Master Inspector

  • Trisha Floyd, Chief Development Officer at Trademark Inspection Services

    Trisha Floyd

    Chief Development Officer

Your inspectors

The people who actually walk the property. Certified inspectors, each working to the published standard the job calls for.

  • Curt Markham, Certified Master Inspector at Trademark Inspection Services

    Curt Markham

    Certified Master Inspector

  • Mitch Rowe, Certified Master Inspector at Trademark Inspection Services

    Mitch Rowe

    Certified Master Inspector

  • Noah Scott, Certified Professional Inspector at Trademark Inspection Services

    Noah Scott

    Certified Professional Inspector

  • Justin Frey, Certified Professional Inspector at Trademark Inspection Services

    Justin Frey

    Certified Professional Inspector

  • Ora Cahoon, Certified Professional Inspector at Trademark Inspection Services

    Ora Cahoon

    Certified Professional Inspector

  • David Perkins, Certified Professional Inspector at Trademark Inspection Services

    David Perkins

    Certified Professional Inspector

Office and client care

Whoever picks up when you call, and whoever chases the thing you are waiting on.

  • Kim Silvernail, Client Care Coordinator at Trademark Inspection Services

    Kim Silvernail

    Client Care Coordinator

  • Theresa Cottenham, Client Care Coordinator at Trademark Inspection Services

    Theresa Cottenham

    Client Care Coordinator

  • Constance Brown, Client Care Coordinator at Trademark Inspection Services

    Constance Brown

    Client Care Coordinator

  • Don Stout, Client Relations Specialist at Trademark Inspection Services

    Don Stout

    Client Relations Specialist

  • Kenzie Mahoney-Cottenham, Executive Assistant at Trademark Inspection Services

    Kenzie Mahoney-Cottenham

    Executive Assistant

And one more

Every office needs one.

  • Luna Cottenham, the office dog at Trademark Inspection Services

    Luna Cottenham

    Office Security

What we do

Everything under one roof, and one invoice

Add anything here to an inspection and one team turns up on one appointment. It is the reason the name stopped being “home inspection” in 2021.

Giving back

We live in the counties we inspect

“It is my philosophy to always give back,” is how Matt puts it. In practice it looks like this.

  • Crates for Veterans

    Run in-house by Kim Silvernail, who collects and packs for veterans in the community.

  • H.E.L.P. for Children's Cancer

    Championed by Trisha Floyd, and supported by the company every year.

  • The annual blanket drive

    A company-wide collection every winter for people in the counties we inspect.

  • Free continuing education for agents

    Legal and elective courses taught by our team, including a five-hour new agent class on what to expect from a home inspection.

What clients say

2,000+ five-star reviews across Southeast & Mid-Michigan

  • Trademark is incredibly thorough! The ONLY inspectors I would trust with my home! From setting the appointment to climbing into the attic and crawling under the house, they are incredibly talented. Please do yourself the best favor, and always use and recommend Trademark!!

    GooglePaige CookNovi, MI
  • The company is great. They take their time to address your concerns, answer all questions and make sure you are content. Ora was great to work with, thorough and addressed all questions and concerns. I will definitely request him whenever I need an inspector!

    GoogleZack OudeifMichigan
  • Mitch did our inspection for the sale of our home and he was professional, efficient and friendly. The report was sent to me and my agent in a timely fashion and I appreciated how quickly the appointment was made and everything was finished! Would recommend to others.

    GoogleKendra AllenRoseville, MI
  • Such a smooth experience! Jim was a fantastic inspector. On time for the inspection & super friendly! Inspection report was emailed to us SUPER fast! We will definitely be using Trademark in the future!

    GoogleHeather KirbyMichigan
  • Excellent service! Joe was Very friendly and respectful. He even showed up early and started before we arrived. He Went over results with us on the spot, was easy to talk to and very helpful.

    GoogleCasey MoranRiver Rouge, MI
  • Mitch was great and thorough the our inspection. He provided explanations and suggestions throughout the service. Highly recommend!

    GoogleJaynie GMonroe, MI

Read our reviews on GoogleSee all testimonials

Hero Discount badge: $25 off a Trademark Inspection Services inspection for police, firefighters, rescue, military and educators

Military, first responders and educators save $25

Police, fire, rescue, military and educators — our way of saying thank you for your service. Enter code HERO at checkout.

Claim the Hero Discount

Our service area

Where we inspect

Fourteen Michigan counties — Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Genesee, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Lapeer, St Clair, Monroe, Lenawee, Jackson and Ingham — covering Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw and the communities in between. Tap a county to see where we work.

Wayne County

44 communities

Oakland County

54 communities

Macomb County

23 communities

Washtenaw County

15 communities

Livingston County

20 communities

Genesee County

23 communities

Saginaw County

20 communities

Shiawassee County

17 communities

Lapeer County

15 communities

St Clair County

23 communities

Monroe County

16 communities

Lenawee County

12 communities

Jackson County

14 communities

Ingham County

14 communities

Not sure if we cover your area?
Call 734-331-3269 and ask — we will tell you straight away.

Common questions

About the company

Questions about us rather than about a particular inspection. The rest are on our FAQ page.

  • How long has Trademark Inspection Services been inspecting in Michigan?

    Since February 2009. Matt Cottenham founded the company as a single inspector and it has been running continuously ever since, from the same office in Livonia.

  • Who owns the company?

    Matt and Tiffany Cottenham. Matt is General Manager and Tiffany is Chief Financial Officer, and they are the only owners — there is no parent company behind them.

  • Is this a franchise?

    No. It is an independent, family-owned Michigan business. Three members of the founding family still work here.

  • Are your inspectors certified?

    Yes, all of them, and four hold the Certified Master Inspector designation. Continuing education is a condition of the job here rather than something people fit in when they can.

  • What is a Certified Master Inspector?

    It is the industry’s senior designation, earned on top of professional certification through years of completed inspections and continuing education. Four of our inspectors hold it.

  • What standards do you inspect to?

    It depends on the service. A home inspection follows the InterNACHI Standards of Practice. A commercial building follows the CCPIA standard, which is written for commercial property rather than houses. A veterans WDI inspection is reported on the federal NPMA-33 form. Whichever applies to yours, it is a published standard you can hold the work against.

  • How many people are on the team?

    Seventeen — six inspectors, ten in leadership and the office, and the office dog. All of them are on this page.

  • What services can I book?

    Home buyer, pre-listing seller, home maintenance and commercial inspections, plus radon testing, mold inspection and testing, sewer scope and veterans WDI. Adding any of them to an inspection means one appointment and one invoice.

  • Where do you inspect?

    Fourteen counties across Southeast and Mid-Michigan — the full list, with the communities in each, is further up this page.

  • Do you work weekends?

    Yes. Inspections run seven days a week, which is usually exactly when buyers and agents need them. The office keeps its own hours, listed on our contact page.

  • How quickly will I get my report?

    A home inspection report reaches you within 24 hours. Services with a laboratory or a measurement period take longer and we tell you which applies when you book: commercial buildings are 24 to 72 hours, a radon result comes at the end of the 48-hour test, and mold samples come back from the lab in one to three business days.

  • Why did the name change from Trademark Home Inspection?

    Because it had stopped being accurate. By 2021 the work included commercial buildings, radon, mold and sewer scopes, so the company was renamed Trademark Inspection Services in that year. Same owners, same inspectors, same phone number.

Let our family protect your family

Seven days a week, across fourteen Michigan counties, since 2009.