The Commercial Property Inspector Podcast

Hosted by CCPIA®

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Commercial Inspector Podcast is produced by the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA®)—the leading organization for commercial property inspector training and professional development. Tune into multiple series, including the Roundtable Meeting, a monthly discussion with inspectors from across the country, and Building Your Business, where industry leaders share practical tips and strategies. Whether you're looking to sharpen your inspection skills or grow your business, there's something here for you.

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60 recent

October 20, 202640 min

Building Your Business Ep. 38: Rod Santomassimo, The Commercial Broker's Mindset

In this episode, Rob Claus of CCPIA® welcomes Rod Santomassimo, founder of The Massimo Group, the #1 CRE broker coaching organization in the world. Rod is the author of "Selling Buildings" and "Brokers Who Dominate" and has built a reputation for helping thousands of commercial real estate brokers think bigger and grow their businesses exponentially. Rob and Rod sit down to discuss how brokers and inspectors can become trusted authorities, grow their referral relationships, and leverage AI to build their businesses. 00:00 – Welcome and Rod’s background 03:26 – Launching a coaching business in the 2008 recession 06:02 – The biggest surprise: everyone leaves money on the table 09:30 – Motivation, discipline, and thinking bigger 16:16 – Authority vs. commodity 20:07 – Where new business comes from 24:38 – How inspectors help brokers and save deals 27:05 – The “SWAT team” model: partner, not vendor 28:45 – Getting in the door: associations and lunch-and-learns 31:52 – How AI is reshaping the industry 38:30 – Closing thoughts and Knowing Isn’t Doing 🔗 Learn more about CCPIA®: https://ccpia.org/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

October 13, 202645 min

Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting #35: Sales Strategies

In this month's roundtable, the discussion focused on improving sales strategies, building client trust, and identifying new opportunities to grow your commercial inspection business. Members shared practical ways to increase proposal conversion rates, adapt services to client budgets, and develop recurring revenue through maintenance inspections and emerging markets. 00:05 Sales Strategies in Commercial Inspections 08:19 Building Client Relationships and Trust 16:31 Innovative Inspection Approaches 18:41 Integrating Specialty Consultants 22:40 Future Trends in Commercial Inspections 24:01 Lifecycle of Commercial Buildings 26:17 Understanding Data Center Construction and Maintenance 29:38 Opportunities in Data Center Inspections 31:45 Marketing and SEO for Maintenance Inspections 34:03 Challenges in Proposal Follow-ups 40:08 Payment Solutions in Commercial Inspections 43:57 Choosing the Right Software for Inspections 📆 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!

October 1, 20267 min

Audio Newsletter: October 2026

This month, we're talking about commercial kitchen inspections. Inspecting commercial kitchens is a serious task. Listen as we explore why evaluating these spaces requires a properly trained inspector to identify key operational risks and verify essential safeguards. ➡️ View the October Newsletter ➡️ Training Calender Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

September 15, 202651 min

Building Your Business Ep. 37: Ryan Walker, Phase 1 ESA for Inspectors

In this episode, Rob Claus of CCPIA® sits down with Ryan Walker, managing partner at ETS Environmental to discuss how commercial property inspectors can add Phase I Environmental Site Assessments to their business, how their inspector partnership model works, real stories from the field, and how to get started. 00:01 — Introduction and Ryan's background 04:42 — What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment? 10:51 — How commercial property inspectors fit into the Phase I process 14:52 — The ETS inspector partnership model explained 20:33 — Property types and expanding into new markets 25:24 — What the site visit actually involves 32:44 — Ryan's most memorable environmental find 39:39 — Getting started: training, insurance, and investment 45:11 — Turnaround times and closing timelines 47:54 — Final thoughts and closing 🔗 Learn more about CCPIA®: https://ccpia.org/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

September 11, 20265 min

Audio Newsletter: September 2026

This month, we’re focusing on how to get started in commercial property inspections, from building the right knowledge base and protecting yourself with the right insurance to landing your first job. Plus, check out the latest podcast episodes and see upcoming trainings and free virtual roundtable meetings. ➡️ View the September Newsletter ➡️ Training Calender Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

September 10, 202648 min

Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting #34: Breaking Down Barriers

In this month's Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable, the conversation centers on the challenges of breaking into new markets, building trust with potential clients, and knowing where the next referral will come from, opening with a real example of missed opportunities that could have doubled one member's business. The group digs into tailoring proposals to specific property types, speaking the client's language, and keeping communication fast and consistent to build trust. Members also share how they have connected with the right clients, from updating Google Business listings to networking through industry associations, along with real success stories and a live Q&A on transitioning from residential to commercial work. 0:05 – Intro 1:19 – Topic: breaking down barriers to closing jobs 2:16 – Story: 27 inquiries, only 7 wins 6:43 – Tailoring proposals by property type 10:07 – Walking clients through inspections by phone 12:18 – Storage facility case study 14:02 – Communication as a barrier-breaker 17:00 – Google listing strategy for going commercial 18:07 – First 45 days going live in commercial 20:10 – Marketing collateral ideas 23:21 – Networking through associations 26:09 – Niche-building in smaller jobs 27:47 – Vacation rental / glamping niche 32:47 – Confidence as the ultimate barrier-breaker 35:50 – Upcoming training events 38:20 – Q&A: transitioning to commercial 47:54 – Closing remarks 📆 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!

August 28, 202645 min

CCPIA® Member Spotlight: Jeff Crabtree of Sure Guard Property Inspections

Jeff Crabtree of SureGuard Property Inspections has been selected for CCPIA's Member Spotlight, recognizing the impressive momentum he's built in just over a year. In this conversation with host Rob Claus, Jeff shares why he left a 20+ year corporate career to launch his own inspection company, along with lessons for other professionals. Before going full-time, Jeff spent two decades in asset management for Fortune 100 companies and has personally inspected more than 165 million square feet of commercial real estate. 00:06 – Intro & welcome 02:48 – Jeff's corporate background (Walmart, private equity) 05:21 – How they met at CCPIA and why Jeff left corporate for inspections 09:26 – Corporate vs. CRE inspections: communication and objectives 13:10 – Building SureGuard: zero to double-digit inspections/month, starting with FCAs 17:57 – Networking through BOMA/CCIM and building client communication 19:35 – CCPIA resources beyond core training 23:40 – Website story and client engagement (calls, inquiries, closure rate) 31:24 – Reading the client: sale-leaseback example and business flexibility 33:36 – Marketing investment (Tree Ring/Paige) and ROI 37:00 – Closing advice: branding day one, learning the client's language 43:20 – Wrap-up and outro 🔗 To learn more visit https://ccpia.org/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

August 18, 202652 min

Building Your Business Ep. 36: Bob Brown, The Dirt Whisperer

In this episode, Rob Claus of CCPIA® welcomes Bob Brown, "The Dirt Whisperer," a foundation repair expert, about using data-driven tools to detect slab movement, foundation damage, and structural risk in commercial buildings. 00:01 – Intro 00:28 – Bob's background 02:37 – "Dirt Whisperer" origin 06:18 – Floor level surveys & smart level tool 11:39 – Objective vs. subjective assessments 16:37 – The 16 data points for foundation evaluation 21:31 – Dead blow hammer technique 22:40 – Slab curling explained 28:52 – Warehouse settlement case study 31:05 – Spatial Vision software overview 35:45 – Time estimates for surveys 42:08 – Best industries for this service 51:10 – Closing and resources 🔗 Learn more about CCPIA®: https://ccpia.org/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

August 13, 202659 min

Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting #33: Inspection and Reporting Efficiencies

In this month's roundtable, we discussed strategies for optimizing profitability and efficiency in commercial inspections. The highly variable nature of commercial work requires inspectors to move away from rigid hourly pricing toward more flexible, project-based models. 00:00 – Intro 03:42 – Industrial Speed Benchmarks 08:39 – Commercial vs. Residential 14:31 – Sq Ft vs. Hourly Pricing 17:04 – Job Costing & Profit Margins 20:38 – Templates & Software Efficiency 25:58 – Field Time vs. Reporting Time 27:46 – AI for Report Narratives 29:05 – Standardizing Team Inspection Times 37:36 – On-Site Reporting Workflow 42:36 – Spectora AI Assistant Discussion 45:05 – Large Multi-Building Case Study 50:00 – Representative Sampling & Drones 55:36 – Tiered Proposal Pricing (A/B/C) 58:00 – Wrap-Up 🔗 Learn more about CCPIA®: https://ccpia.org/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

July 21, 202653 min

Building Your Business Ep. 35: Aaron Shishilla, Digital Marketing Strategies

In this episode, Aaron Shishilla shares his journey from growing up in the family inspection business to founding Wolfpack Advertising. We explore digital marketing strategies, the impact of AI, and how inspectors can effectively source work in a digital-first world. 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:59 Family Business and Early Experiences 06:02 Transition to Marketing and Wolfpack 09:01 Growth and Evolution of Wolfpack 11:54 Shifts in Marketing Strategies 14:58 The Impact of AI on Business 18:10 Marketing Methodologies for Different Inspections 21:12 Budgeting for Marketing Expenses 23:59 Types of Marketing Spend 27:01 Website Management and Updates 27:39 The Evolution of Digital Marketing in Commercial Inspections 30:17 Building Authority Through Website Content 32:09 Navigating Google Ads for Commercial Inspections 37:10 Understanding Bing Ads and Their Value 40:01 The Importance of Inside Sales in Lead Conversion 46:18 Tailoring Marketing Strategies for New Inspectors 53:42 Outro 🔗 Interested in attending CCPIA® training? See upcoming dates and locations for in-person and online classes here: https://ccpia.org/training-calendar/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!