In this episode, host Rob Claus welcomes Bethany Messier from CoStar Group, the world leader in commercial real estate data and analytics. CoStar is widely recognized for having the most comprehensive database of CRE information across the U.S. and Canada and is the parent company of LoopNet, Homes.com, Apartments.com, Land.com, and Matterport.

CoStar’s tools are widely used by commercial property inspectors for property research, proposal development, and pre-inspection preparation. Their data helps inspectors understand a property’s history, ownership, tenancy, and market context. This supports ROI-driven business development and leads to better proposals and preparation before arriving on-site. 

In this episode, Bethany and Rob discuss how CoStar’s platform supports business development for inspectors, including targeting the right clients, identifying opportunities, and building a sustainable pipeline of commercial property inspection work. 

They also highlight CCPIA’s exclusive partnership with CoStar, which gives CCPIA members customized onboarding and support to help grow their inspection business. 

00:00 – Intro & welcome
00:23 – Beth's role at CoStar
00:55 – What is CoStar
03:43 – CoStar vs. LoopNet
05:18 – Why it matters for inspectors
07:02 – Property & owner data details
11:18 – Live platform demo
19:46 – Chicago roof-inspection search example
24:06 – Account management & pricing
34:16 – Getting real value from the tool
45:13 – Onboarding process
49:16 – CCPIA® member access
51:22 – Final thoughts & closing remarks

Visit CCPIA.org to learn more about the partnership.

Watch the YouTube video to see a live CoStar platform demo and how inspectors are using it in practice. 

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

➡️ Visit the November Email Newsletter Here

➡️ 35% Off Training Through Nov. 30th! Use Code: 35BlackFriday

This month’s issue breaks down the 2025 multifamily market and what it means for inspectors. Get the key trends, inspector takeaways, and a free shareable report you can use in your own client outreach.

You’ll also find new CCPIA resources, including guidance on inspecting FAA obstruction lighting, an online course on inspecting building exteriors, and materials on growing your business through partnerships and approaching large, complex properties.

To close, we recap upcoming CCPIA training dates, virtual roundtables, and events, including in-person classes in Indianapolis and Los Angeles, and a virtual class covering how to inspect all building systems. Great to prepare for the certification exam.

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

The Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting is a monthly Zoom hosted by CCPIA® for inspectors across the nation to talk about business and professional development.

This month’s roundtable featured special guests Jon Ajinga and Jeff Womelsdorf of InspectorPrime, a commercial property inspection report software platform. They led a live demonstration and Q&A session highlighting how the system is specifically designed to support commercial property inspections.

CCPIA® members receive an exclusive discount on the commercial property inspection reporting platform: https://ccpia.org/inspectorprime-repo...

To attend an upcoming meeting, visit the training calendar: https://ccpia.org/training-calendar/

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

Ensuring your website generates leads 24/7 while you focus on inspections.

In this episode, host Rob Claus welcomes Paige Wiese, founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, a Denver-based marketing agency specializing in high-performance websites and digital strategies for service-based businesses. With over 16 years helping businesses strengthen their online visibility, Paige has worked extensively with the inspection industry through her long-standing relationships with InterNACHI and CCPIA, where she's helped develop digital best practices and resources that inspectors actually use.

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Paige Wiese of Tree Ring Digital
00:31 – Paige's Background & Connection to Inspectors
03:31 – Fixing Your Website: Forms & Messaging by Market
09:42 – The Name Search Test: What Google Shows Clients
17:34 – Why You Should Never Drop Residential Messaging
19:57 – Top SEO Basics Every Inspector Should Know
24:01 – What Is Digital Asset Management?
28:32 – Real Stories: Lost Reviews, Domains & Access
36:01 – Avoiding Costly Renewal & Hosting Mistakes
39:22 – Common Marketing Mistakes Inspectors Make
41:07 – The Return of PR in the Age of AI Search
43:09 – Separating Business & Personal Social Media
51:02 – Doing SEO and Ads Effectively on a Budget
55:24 – CCPIA Website Tools & Member Success Story
58:31 – Using AI to Improve Your Marketing Messaging
01:01:06 – This Week's Action Item: Google Yourself

🔗 Interested in learning more or working with Tree Ring Digital? Access the free Digital Asset Assessment Checklist on their website.

🔗 Related Resources for Commercial Property Inspectors: 

• Sales Funnels for Commercial Property Inspection Companies and Their Sales and Operations Teams Article 
• Optimizing Sales Funnel Efficiency and Removing Customer Friction Course 
• Commercial Property Inspection Marketing Resources Library
• Getting Started as a Commercial Inspector: Determining Your Business Structure Article 
• Branding Considerations for Commercial Property Inspection Companies Article and Branding Guide
• Getting Started in Commercial Inspections: Moving from Residential to Commercial Inspections Article

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

➡️ Visit the October Email Newsletter Here

This month’s episode introduces CCPIA’s new comic series, beginning with The Consultant’s Lens. It's a quick, visual look at how a single client call can shape two entirely different inspection approaches. From there, we dive into what it means to think like a consultant instead of just a service provider.

You’ll also hear about the Tramex Dec Scanner, a non-destructive roof moisture tool that helps inspectors expand services and strengthen their reports, and our new SBA-Compliant Business Plan Generator, designed to help residential inspectors transition into commercial property inspections and access small business funding opportunities.

Plus, we highlight insights from Commercial Assets Explained, covering how tenant mix, key systems, and ownership and lease structures connect the physical condition of a property to its financial performance.

To close, we recap upcoming CCPIA training dates, virtual roundtables, and events, including Inspectorsgiving and our CoStar ROI-driven business development session in December.

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

This month's roundtable was led by Rob Claus and delivered practical insights on essential inspection tools, safety equipment, professional presentation strategies, and emerging service opportunities for commercial property inspectors.

To attend an upcoming meeting, visit: http://ccpia.org/training-calendar/

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

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.

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Mike Dunne, CCPIA Member in Cheyenne, WY
00:47 – From Cowboy to Railroad Worker to Home Inspector
06:11 – Turning a Side Hustle into a Full-Time Business
08:39 – Business Books That Changed His Mindset
11:20 – Learning to Run the Business, Not Just Do the Job
16:22 – Serving a Rural Market: Staffing, Mileage & Local Hiring
23:04 – Using Assistants to Scale Inspections During COVID
27:04 – Expanding from Residential into Commercial Inspections
29:01 – Building Trusted Referral Partnerships
33:48 – Breaking into Government Contracting
41:10 – Landing Unique Contracts: Sewer Surveys & Pressure Vessels
45:09 – Navigating Primes, Subs & Set-Aside Programs
49:43 – Free Resources: SAM.gov & Apex Accelerators
53:57 – Finding Opportunity Through NAICS Codes
58:14 – Say Yes First, Figure Out the Details Later
1:02:16 – Closing Thoughts & Thanks

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!

SEPTEMBER 2025 HIGHLIGHTS: 

This month’s roundtable was led by Rob Claus and packed with insights about internet marketing, cost per lead, accounts receivable, and large project acquisition in commercial property inspections.

To attend an upcoming meeting, visit: http://ccpia.org/training-calendar/

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

With the OBBBA law now in effect, property owners and investors face new incentives and deadlines, and inspectors have a bigger role than ever. We’re covering that first in this month’s audio newsletter.

Then, we’re highlighting: 

• Emergency power system inspections. See inspection video and checklist. 
• Inspection scope strategies based on due diligence and risk tolerance. Learn the methodology. 
• Inspection tool and equipment guide for rolling out new services. Get the tool guide and planner. 
• Top inspector tech story. See what’s coming to InterNACHI’s free agreement system. 

Additional resources: 

• Subscribe to CCPIA’s monthly email newsletter. 
• Register for InterNACHI's Inspectors Convention in Dallas, held over Oct. 16-18, 2025. Hotel discount ends Sept. 25. 
• See upcoming online and hands-on training calendar.

🤝 Thanks for reading and being part of the CCPIA® community. Together, we lead Building Excellence.

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

In this episode, host Rob Claus sits down with Ian Dolby, a commercial property inspector from southwestern Michigan who brings an unusual background to the industry. With experience in construction, real estate, and senior-level investment banking in mergers and acquisitions, Ian shows how diverse professional experience creates competitive advantages in commercial inspections.

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Ian Dolby & His Service Area
00:57 – From GC Licenses to Real Estate: Ian's Non-Traditional Path
02:41 – A Brit in Michigan: Moving to the US Since 1992
03:26 – From Investment Banking to Commercial Inspections
04:34 – Speaking the Client's Language: Translating Finance to Construction
09:17 – Ian's Pricing Model: Giving Clients Options to Win More Jobs
12:16 – Success Story: Landing an $18K Job from the CCPIA Website
14:53 – Serving Southwest Michigan, Indiana & Beyond
16:08 – Home Inspector Licensing: Michigan vs. Indiana
18:59 – Main Street vs. Corporate Clients: Relationship vs. Transactional
21:15 – Bridging the Gap Between Small Business Owners and the C-Suite
23:55 – Mentoring Advice: Helping Inspectors Transition to Commercial
27:34 – Marketing Yourself as a Trusted Advisor, Not a Technician
31:44 – Written Proposals & Winning Without Competing on Price
34:35 – Adopting a Winner's Mindset & Continuous Self-Education
38:23 – Building a Trusted Subcontractor Network Through CCPIA
41:44 – Closing Thoughts & Thanks

Helpful Links for Commercial Property Inspectors:

• Commercial Property Inspector Mentoring
• Pricing and Proposals for Securing the Job Course
• Understanding Commercial Property Inspection Client Types Course
• Tool Guide for Commercial Property Inspectors + Free Checklist
• Risk Tolerance and Due Diligence in Commercial Property Inspections

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