Building Your Business with CCPIA® is a monthly series hosted by Rob Claus, CCPIA’s Director of Education. Each episode features industry leaders sharing tips and insights on commercial property inspections, plus solo episodes where Rob covers key trends and updates. Perfect for inspectors looking to grow and succeed!


DECEMBER 18, 2024 —  In this episode of Building Your Business, Rob Claus hosts Toby Thério and Kevin Labonté, founding members of Group Inspect in Quebec, Canada. They share their journey from independent inspectors to building a multi-inspector, multi-location firm with a strong focus on commercial property inspections. 

Tune in to learn about: 

• Group Inspect’s Dual Locations: Discover how Group Inspect operates across Quebec, with teams in Montreal and Quebec City focusing on residential and commercial inspections.
• Industry Backgrounds: Hear how Toby and Kevin transitioned from engineering and military careers to become leaders in the property inspection industry.
• Adapting to Change: Learn how Kevin is developing a training program to prepare inspectors for new Quebec multi-family inspection legislation and the evolving standards for inspection reporting.
• Navigating Sales in Two Countries: Explore the similarities and differences between Canadian and U.S. inspection markets, including the shared opportunities for growth and unique bilingual reporting requirements in Quebec.
• Memorable Projects: Dive into stories from large-scale inspections, such as 140-unit apartments, historic schools, and hidden attic apartments.
• Collaboration and Innovation: See how Group Inspect leverages teamwork, bilingual software, and AI tools to deliver high-quality reports while supporting inspectors.
• Why Go Commercial: Hear the advantages of expanding into commercial inspections, from market potential to long-term business growth.

The Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting is a monthly meeting hosted by the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA®) for inspectors across the nation to gather and discuss business development opportunities and strategies. To attend an upcoming meeting, visit the Commercial Property Inspection Training Calendar to register.

Participants discussed ancillary services and prepping for spring marketing by evaluating their services, pricing, and marketing.

Highlights from the Roundtable:

Transitioning from Residential to Commercial
Inspectors shared tips for transitioning from residential to commercial property inspections, including: 

• Using a DBA under your existing company can streamline operations while distinguishing your brand.
• Leveraging your residential experience but adapting to the distinct requirements and client expectations in the commercial sector

Expanding Revenue Streams
Inspectors discussed the value of diversifying services. The main ancillary services discussed include:

• Insurance inspections
• Maintenance inspections
• Specialty inspections (i.e., balcony inspections and drone inspections) 

Cost-to-Cure Reporting Insights
A key topic was the approach to cost-to-cure reporting. Should inspectors include a detailed cost table or simply add estimated costs as comments without aggregating them? Inspectors shared tips on sourcing reliable data and how offering cost estimates can set you apart from competitors.

Marketing for the Spring Season
With the new year approaching, inspectors highlighted the importance of refining marketing strategies by conducting a market analysis, evaluating pricing and services, and engaging with clients and referral sources with specialized offerings.

To register for an upcoming meeting, visit the Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Schedule.

Post-Workshop Resources for Commercial Property Inspectors:

• Find An Inspector
• Market Analysis
• Competitive Analysis Spreadsheet
• CCPIA® In-Person Training Calendar

The Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting is a monthly meeting hosted by the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA®) for inspectors across the nation to gather and discuss business development opportunities and strategies. To register for an upcoming meeting, visit the Commercial Property Inspection Training Calendar.

NOVEMBER 15, 2024 — This month, Rob Claus led a workshop on developing pricing strategies for commercial property inspections. The session provided guidance for inspectors looking to establish or refine their fee structures in today's competitive market.

Key topics covered included:

• Four distinct pricing models with practical examples
• Essential factors for developing an effective fee structure
• A comprehensive breakdown of inspection business expenses
• Methods for conducting market and competitive analysis
• Interactive Q&A addressing participants' specific scenarios

The workshop highlighted how successful pricing strategies must balance multiple factors, including operational costs, market conditions, and desired profit margins.

Both CCPIA® members and non-members were welcome to attend, making this valuable information accessible to the broader commercial property inspection community. View our training calendar for upcoming in-person classes and online events.

Building Your Business with CCPIA® is a monthly video series hosted by Rob Claus, Director of Education. Each episode features special guests from across the field, offering insights and tips for navigating the commercial property inspection industry.
 
November 15, 2024 — In this episode of Building Your Business, host Rob Claus sits down with Bob Hintze and Mark Wahl, two of the four Managing Directors of Waypoint Property Inspection, LLC., with offices in Tampa and Boynton Beach, Florida. They share insights on business growth, their industry experience, and the value of collaboration. 

Tune in to learn about:

• Waypoint Property Inspection: Their operations across Florida, with offices on both coasts and a shared commitment to top-tier inspections. 
• Industry Backgrounds: How Mark and Bob transitioned from construction, leadership, and risk management into inspections.
• Breaking into Commercial Property Inspections: How CCPIA® education and ComSOP standards helped shape Waypoint’s approach to commercial work.
• Collaboration and Growth: How teamwork, strong client relationships, and partnerships with local inspection companies helped Waypoint become a leader in Florida's inspection industry.
• Large-Scale Projects: Success stories, including inspections for warehouses, shopping centers, and RV parks.
• Why Go Commercial: The specifics on profitability, efficiency, and reduced stress of focusing on commercial properties.

In this episode of Building Your Business, host Rob Claus sits down with Nick Gromicko, the founder of CCPIA®, InterNACHI®, and multiple other successful ventures. Nick is widely recognized as a dedicated advocate for the inspection industry, a market disruptor, and a seasoned entrepreneur. He has authored or co-authored over 25 inspection books, hundreds of inspection-related articles, tools, and professional development resources. 

This is an episode you don’t want to miss! Nick shares his experiences in building businesses, investment strategies, and tips for residential and commercial property inspectors. He also offers valuable tips for inspectors looking to grow their careers in commercial property inspections.

The Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting is a free monthly meeting hosted by the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA). Participants shared their insights on ancillary services, regional market conditions, and new education this month. To register for an upcoming meeting, visit https://ccpia.org/training-calender/

We recently had the opportunity to connect with CCPIA member KC Bartley, the owner of Professional Home Inspections based in Kingsport, Tennessee. Our discussion included his approach to adding commercial property inspection services to his residential inspection business, along with his advice and future goals.

In this video, I delve into the crucial interview process for commercial inspections, highlighting the key steps and strategies involved. I emphasize the importance of thorough research, effective communication, and offering valuable ancillary services to enhance the inspection fee. Viewers are encouraged to focus on being the solution to clients' issues and to approach the sale with a psychology-driven mindset. Action requested: Pay close attention to the interview process and consider implementing the outlined strategies in your commercial inspections.

The Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting is a free monthly meeting hosted by the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA). This month, participants shared their insights on regional market conditions, insurance limits, and effective marketing strategies for growing their businesses. To register for an upcoming meeting, visit https://ccpia.org/training-calender/

The Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting is a monthly meeting hosted by the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) for inspectors across the nation to gather and discuss business development opportunities and strategies. 

This session focused on market updates, inspection protocols, and industry trends for commercial property inspectors. Participants shared their insights on regional market conditions, specific inspection requirements, and effective marketing strategies for growing their businesses. Key points included the significance of client-based marketing over realtor referrals, the need for SEO optimization, and the benefits of sharing visual content online.

To register for an upcoming meeting, visit the Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Schedule.