Government contracts aren't just for big companies with specialized certifications.

In this episode, host Rob Claus sits down with Mike Dunne, owner of Dunne Inspection Services in Cheyenne, Wyoming and a CCPIA® member since the organization's inception. Mike has built a multi-inspector firm serving a three-state region across Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. His journey from solo residential inspector to running a company securing six-figure government contracts offers practical insights for inspectors ready to scale beyond typical client relationships.

In This Episode:

• The Three-Inspection-Per-Day System: Mike reveals how hiring inspection assistants transformed his operation during COVID, cutting inspection time in half while maintaining quality. The secret wasn't just having help—it was how he strategically divided the work between inspectors and assistants.
• Why Local Employees Outperform Overseas VAs: Mike refuses to use call centers or overseas virtual assistants, and it's not about patriotism. He explains the unexpected business advantage that appeared when a 17-year-old summer employee brought in more referrals than any marketing campaign ever did.
• From Zero to Six Figures on Government Contracts: After two years on SAM.gov with no results, an engineering firm called asking if Mike could video 20,000 feet of sewer mains on an Air Force base. He had no idea what they were talking about but said yes anyway. Hear how that single "yes" turned into ongoing six-figure contracts.
• The Subcontractor Advantage Nobody Talks About: Mike shares why he never bids as a prime contractor and how being a sub-of-a-sub actually opens more doors. From unfired pressure vessel inspections to asbestos surveys, he explains his philosophy of taking work he's never done before and figuring it out after saying yes.
• The Unexpected Competition in Small Markets: In Cheyenne, Mike doesn't compete against other inspection companies. His real competition is electricians, roofers, and HVAC companies who formed partnerships claiming to do "inspections." Hear how this shaped his entire business strategy and why his service area eventually shrunk as he grew.
  
  

Related Resources for Commercial Property Inspectors: 

• CCPIA® Commercial Property Inspector Mentor Program 
• Commercial Property Inspectors: Who They Are and Who Hires Them
• SWOT Analysis for Commercial Property Inspection Companies
• Business Development Resources for Commercial Property Inspectors
  
  
  

Watch or listen (anywhere, anytime, and any way you like). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!