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CCPIA Articles - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Scaling Your Workforce: Hiring Contractors vs. Employees

Every business undergoes a natural evolution. As a property inspection business evolves from a single inspector handling residential jobs to also potentially offering commercial property inspections, a key decision arises: Should the company hire employees or work with independent contractors to accommodate the needs for commercial projects? Let’s explore this decision and consider the legal…

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CCPIA Online Courses - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

FAQ for Online Courses

How much are the online courses? All online courses are included with membership. You will instantly have access to our entire catalog of online courses as a member, with no additional fees. Navigate available courses and track your progress on your Education Dashboard. Do you offer live training?  Yes, in addition to online courses, we…

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CCPIA Marketing - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Branding Considerations for Commercial Property Inspection Companies

Company branding refers to the unique identity and image of a business. It involves elements like logos, colors, taglines, marketing pieces, and the overall marketing strategy that collectively shapes how the business is perceived in the minds of clients. For a commercial property inspection company, effective branding is not only about the aesthetic appeal but…

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CCPIA Articles - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

What Inspectors Should Know About Bowstring Trusses

Introduction Bowstring trusses are a distinctive architectural element that can add elegance and character to a building’s design. This style of truss features a horizontal bottom with a swooping arched top. The swooping arch is most often the design of the roof. The swooping arch provides a sloped plane to divert water and create a…

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CCPIA Articles - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Inspecting Multifamily Properties

Simply put, there are different inspection standards that exist for multifamily properties. A multifamily property is defined as any property that provides accommodation for more than one dwelling unit. Multifamily homes can be divided into two categories: (1) buildings with two to four units (residential) and (2) buildings with five or more units (commercial). State…

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CCPIA Articles - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Roof System Overview: Steep-Slope vs. Low-Slope

The difference between the inspection of steep-slope roofs and low-slope roofs is mainly one of complexity. Steep-Slope: Typical Construction Steep-slope construction is generally as follows, starting with the roof support structure: conventional rafters or trusses; plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) roof deck; underlayment of asphalt-saturated felt or a synthetic material; a.   a mechanically-fastened (but…

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CCPIA Articles - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Understanding the Life Expectancy of Commercial Building Systems

Every commercial building system and component has an estimated life expectancy—the expected number of years it will remain operational or useful until it needs to be replaced or requires maintenance. An assessment of the estimated life expectancy is valuable for building owners and inspection clients for asset management and estimating maintenance and replacement costs. Estimating…

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CCPIA Articles - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Getting Started in Commercial Inspections: Moving from Residential to Commercial Inspections

The move between residential and commercial inspection, on paper, can look like a monumental leap, but is it really? Before considering the move between residential and commercial property inspections, there has to be an understanding of what a commercial property really is. The Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) defines commercial properties as building structures…

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CCPIA Articles - Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association

Life Safety Inspection: Fire Sprinkler Room and Related Components

Understanding the Scope of a Fire Sprinkler System Inspection The scope for inspecting fire sprinkler systems for commercial property inspectors is specific and minimal. The ComSOP inspection requirements include verifying their presence in a building, and determining whether they have been painted over since leaving the manufacturer. These can be complex systems and are assessed…

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