Commercial Inspections?

[Bob Spermo]

Has anyone gone through a commercial inspection training program and then done commercial inspections? Is it worthwhile? If you have done them how did you market yourself and where did you receive the training? Thanks.

[Patrick McCaffery]

Hi Bob,
I did my training at Kaplin Schools, presented by ITA. I believe ITA stands for Inspector Training Association.
At the time of the training the instructor recommended taking Code Courses from New York State. I just completed my fourth module and have two more remaining.
Both training was good, however I have not been able to establish any commercial business.
My background is thirty-one years in building maintenace for a large industry, which provided me with the background.
Hopefully some of the other inspectors will be able to recommend ways of establishing a commercial inspection business.

[David Wood]

Most of my inspections are commercial. I work for an Engineering company.

Our reports go to the purchaser and, in most cases, to the bank. The trick is that most banks want a report that is prepared by an Engineering company. If you are not an Engineer, that part of the business would be difficult to impossible to get into.

[Eric Shuman]

If you are not an Engineer, that part of the business would be difficult to impossible to get into.


Not necessarily. You can always hire an engineer to come do the engineering part of the inspection. Some Commercoal inspection training companies basically teach you to be a general contractor. You hire certain qualified engineers, elevator contractors, commercial electricians, etc., and incorporate their findings into your report. The trick in this case is to be able to pay these guys and still take your cut.

Eric

[David Wood]

The problem is that the bank considers the Property Condition Assement to be an Engineering report. We sign the reports as Professional Engineers to cover the trades that work with us.

Maybe there is an acceptable alternative. Best way to find out is to ask around at the financial institutions that are lendng the money to see what they require.

[JORY LANNES]

We do commercial inspections. I have never taken a commercial inspection training class. I have a group of specialists( electrician, HVAC, elevator and plumber) . The report is usually 60 pages or more. The inspection process is similar to a home inspection but much more extensive and in part is a reserve study.

[Cloyd Morgan]

I have been in residential/commercial building and development for 35 years and with the change in the economy had to make some changes. Over the years I have become acquainted with many bankers in our community. Five years ago I decided to use my years of experience and called on the mortgage bankers to see if I could do phase of completion inspections for draws in new residential construction. Quiet to my surprise I learned from them that I had the reputation in the community as one of most knowledgable and quality builders in our community. Now after 5 years working with several banks I have done stage of completion inspections for residential and comercial lot development, motels, banks, office buildings, multi-family, auto dealerships, drug stores and fitness gyms just to name a few.
I am now needing to revamp my company with new and better reports and was wanting to know if anyone knows if there are any associations that I might become a member of that might help with this as well as obtaining certifications. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Tom Phillips]

If you coin INACHI, the commercial inspection course is free.

[A.D. Miller]

Most of my inspections are commercial. I work for an Engineering company.

Our reports go to the purchaser and, in most cases, to the bank. The trick is that most banks want a report that is prepared by an Engineering company. If you are not an Engineer, that part of the business would be difficult to impossible to get into.

David: You make an excellent point here that seems to evade most HIs - especially those who are easily lured by the sales pitches of the inspection schools.

If I owned a multi-storey commercial building who would I hire to inspect it? An engineering firm with a minimum of structural, HVAC, and electrical engineers on staff - not a home inspector.

[Markus Keller]

Buy a copy of ASTM 2018 and you should be fine for light commercial. As far as marketing, that's my weak point so listen to others.