The Commercial Property Inspector Podcast

Hosted by CCPIA®

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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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

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!

June 15, 202631 min

Building Your Business Ep. 34: Shawn Mizell, Rebrand and Level Up

This month's Building Your Business episode features host Rob Claus sitting down with Inspector Shawn Mizell, a Florida home inspector and content creator ready to transform his business. Shawn shares his journey on how a single CCPIA course completely changed his mindset, how he is using social media to attract new clients, and where he sees the commercial inspection industry heading. 00:00 Introduction to Home Inspection Journey 03:18 Transitioning to Commercial Inspections 05:59 The Impact of Training on Confidence 09:04 Content Creation and Networking in Commercial Real Estate 12:01 Rebranding for Commercial Success 15:19 Learning from Real-World Experiences 18:05 Advice for Aspiring Inspectors 20:52 The Excitement of Commercial Inspections 24:07 Future of Commercial Inspections 26:51 Surprises in the Journey of Change 31:01 Closing 🔗 Interested in attending the CCPIA® in-person training Shawn mentioned? See upcoming dates and locations for the Introduction to Commercial Property Inspections 3-Day Class: https://ccpia.org/introduction-to-commercial-property-inspections-3-day-class/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

June 9, 202653 min

Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting #32: Let’s Talk Commercial

In this month's open forum roundtable, we hear directly from members on the topics that matter most: VAV boxes, cost-to-remedy estimates, converting inquiries into booked jobs, and competing on value over price. Plus, updates on upcoming classes and resources to help grow your commercial inspection business. 0:05 – Welcome & intro; 2027 class planning and upcoming July cost-to-remedy class in Chicago 4:28 – VAV box inventory in office buildings 9:48 – Using allowances for cost-to-remedy on cosmetic items 15:14 – Caution against over-inspecting specialized commercial systems 20:27 – Setting client expectations upfront 21:51 – Conversion rates and inside sales strategies 33:09 – Competing on value over price 36:38 – Qualifying clients who are shopping on price alone 45:04 – Upcoming courses and member resources 46:30 – Inspector efficiency benchmarks 49:05 – Upcoming in-person classes 50:01 – Using sample reports to demonstrate value 52:00 – Wrap-up and closing reminders 🔗 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!

May 12, 202659 min

Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable #31: OREP + CCPIA® Exclusive Insurance Policy

In this month's roundtable, we sat down with Isaac Peck, Adam Merrifield, and Gina Hood from OREP Insurance to discuss a brand-new commercial inspection insurance program built exclusively for CCPIA members. 0:00 – Welcome & Introductions 1:17 – About OREP & the New CCPIA Program 3:04 – Why Standard Policies Fall Short for Commercial Inspectors 9:11 – Base Policy vs. Full Commercial Coverage 12:06 – Restaurant Inspections, Kitchen Equipment & Defense-Only Coverage 20:27 – Pre-Claim Services & Attorney Support 24:35 – Program Requirements: Membership, Standards & Contracts 26:27 – Certificates of Insurance & Turnaround Time 28:19 – Light vs. Heavy Industrial: Defining the Line 33:26 – Switching Coverage, Multi-Inspector Firms & Premium Pricing 36:20 – Independent Contractors & Large Building Inspections 43:17 – General Liability vs. E&O Explained 45:05 – Specialty Inspections: Drones, Infrared & Geographic Coverage 48:54 – Cost-to-Remedy Reports & Phase One Environmental Coverage 55:21 – Tail Coverage & Retroactive Coverage 57:06 – Closing Remarks & Upcoming CCPIA Events 🔗 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!

May 11, 202638 min

Building Your Business Ep. 33: Brent Fletcher, Crossing Into Commercial

In this episode, host Rob Claus welcomes Brent Fletcher, owner of Fletcher’s Home Inspections and content creator. Brent shares his journey from a home inspector to a content creator and aspiring commercial inspector. Discover insights on transitioning into commercial inspections, leveraging social media for business growth, and the future of the industry. 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:20 Brent's Journey into Home Inspections 05:18 The Evolution of Content Creation 08:28 Transitioning to Commercial Inspections 11:19 Insights from the CCPIA Class 14:21 Challenges in Commercial Inspections 18:41 Transforming Inspection Approaches 19:23 Challenges in Launching a Commercial Site 20:59 Rebranding and Building Clientele 22:49 Maintaining Relationships During Transition 24:19 Scaling and Managing Larger Projects 26:45 Navigating Complexity in Commercial Inspections 27:31 Future of Commercial Inspections 28:47 Embracing Technology in Inspections 29:58 Encouraging New Inspectors 31:02 Investing in Equipment for Commercial Inspections 31:46 Reflections on Training and Learning 35:59 Excitement for Future Growth 🔗 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!

May 5, 20263 hr 57 min

International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP) 2026

The International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP) is free for use by all. The ComSOP is the industry-accepted standard for commercial property inspectors and serves as the foundation for all education and certification offered by the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association® (CCPIA®). Its nine core sections outline the inspection process, reporting practices, inclusions and exclusions, and the ethics inspectors follow. The standard is applied to enhance understanding of property conditions across all types of commercial real estate, supporting better decision-making for those buying, selling, maintaining, or improving a property. The appendix provides additional guidance and resources for reporting practices, training, and education. It also includes supplementary standards of practice for inspectors, such as those for accessibility and fire door inspections. 🔗 International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP) 2026 0:00 Introduction 1:37 Section 1: Purpose 1:50 Section 2: Definitions 46:10 Section 3: Use 49:12 Section 4: Inspection 52:56 Section 5: Research 57:52 Section 6: Walk-Through Survey 1:40:22 Section 7: Report 1:45:00 Section 8: Limitations, Exceptions and Exclusions 1:52:18 Section 9: Ethics 1:55:59 A.1. Guidelines for Recommended Reporting Practices 2:00:33 A.2. Guidelines for Recommended Proposal and Agreement Practices 2:02:52 A.3. Building Systems Image Gallery 2:03:42 A.4. Recommended Walk-Through Survey Inspection Documentation 2:29:10 A.5. Standard Accessibility Inspection Report for Existing Commercial Buildings 2:41:55 A.6. International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Fire Doors 2:59:30 A.7. Observed Green Features Report for Existing Commercial Buildings 3:06:15 A.8. International Phase I Standards of Practice for Inspecting Fireplaces and Chimneys 3:34:32 A.9. International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Radon Mitigation Systems 3:54:26 A.10. The Future of This Standard and Ancillary Documents 3:55:45 A.11. Recommended Training 3:57:02 Conclusion Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

April 16, 20261 hr 1 min

Commercial Property Inspectors Roundtable Meeting #30: Report Software, Scribeware

This month's roundtable featured a special conversation with the two founders of ScribeWare, an inspection software designed to streamline the reporting process. Dylan Chalk and Tim Trickle introduced the platform and provided a live demonstration of its features. 00:00 Introduction to Scribeware and Dylan Chalk 02:05 Challenges in Commercial Inspections 05:53 Innovative Reporting Features of Scribeware 12:55 Streamlined Workflow and Navigation 19:05 Advanced Table Functionality and Customization 25:43 Data Management and Security in Scribeware 28:31 Pricing and Team Management 30:11 Streamlining Document Signing Processes 34:04 Integrating Software for Inspections 38:19 Managing Phase Inspections and Reports 41:48 Incorporating Video in Reports 45:29 Onboarding and Support for Users 48:33 Customizing Templates for Different Inspection Types 50:41 Utilizing Photos and Comments Effectively 55:30 Data Security and Client Privacy 🔗 See key highlights additional resources: https://ccpia.org/commercial-property-inspectors-roundtable-meeting-30-report-software-scribeware/ Watch or listen ( anywhere, anytime, and any way you like ). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!

April 6, 2026Episode 3255 min

Building Your Business Ep. 32: Chris Cummins, Leadership and Communication

In this episode, host Rob Claus welcomes Chris Cummins, CEO and Founder of Cummins Media, Inc. This boutique consulting firm has worked with some of the largest organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit, to improve their leadership and communication. Chris is an experienced keynote speaker, facilitator, and motivator. He shares insights from his seven TEDx talks and his upcoming book, The Human Side of Business, which explores how meaningful human connection remains essential in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 00:00 The Art of Public Speaking 03:17 Facilitating Learning and Engagement 07:07 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Discomfort 11:23 The Growth Zone and Transformation 15:17 Commercial vs. Residential Inspections 23:03 The Transformation of Inspectors 28:03 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Commercial Inspection 32:39 The Importance of Messaging in Inspections 36:16 Building Human Connections in Business 43:40 Embracing Discomfort for Growth 49:57 Actionable Steps for Commercial Inspectors 🔗 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!