You posted before I finished…your answer is below.
Your agreement, then, is also a Statement of Work, describing a Scope of Work which governs the inspection, its inclusions, and exclusions. Correct?
Joe, besides the sprinkler pipe going through the AC duct and the insulation falling from the roof nothing…
So, notiing this serious defect, Mr. Duffy, you naturally followed through and examined all similar piping and ductwork throughout the entire facility, no??
Harumph, harumph…
Correctomundo Joe…!!!
And if you ever have a class in Phoenix, let me know ahead of time…I have done hundreds of large buildings, I can arrange to have the class in a commercial building we can wonder around in, and we can BOTH point out issues, concerns, what might be needed for upgrades, etc…
I have met some great people being in the commercial inspection business who would be more than happy to accommodate us.
I teach the PROCESS and with it, the PITFALLS of flawed standards of practice. The idea is to know the process and the REQUIREMENTS, and to MEMORIALIZE what will be done as part of the inspection.
I teach self-assessment, and how to successfully manage the PROJECT, which is the commercial inspection itself. I teach to NOT inspect those portions you are NOT QUALIFIED to inspect, and to hone TEAM BUILDING skills, strategies, and pricing models when bringing an SME to the dance is what is required.
I teach about the REALITIES of the engagement, and applying the SOP as a model in negotiations with the client.
If anyone believes ANY commercial class will teach someone all the configurations, problems, nuances encountered between any 6 buildings, they are kidding themselves.
To me, PROCESS is key. It is key in delivering a quality product, ket in correctly managing client expectations, and key in keeping your butt out of court.
Hmmm…You sound like a f-ing marriage counselor…
I think I’ll be skipping your class…:lol:
Joe,
Name your class {Commercial Common Sense}…:lol:
All kidding aside…I bet it’s a good one…!
Hey Joe,
After you travel the country showing people what is involved in the entertaining engagement.
Are you going to have a class to show people how to inspect a building?
…:lol:
Marriage counsellor? Nah.
Be careful. I can teach someone wet behind the ears to manage a commercial inspection, market it better, protect themselves, do it at a competetive rate, and likely produce a better and more complete document, based on a recognized international standard, than most “experienced” commercial inspectors can. 
Maybe you’re the exception… but then again, maybe you aint. Hey… what the hell do I know, anyway?
Everyone learns something in my class; even if it’s recognizing pitfalls in the standard. You say that the standard is the minimum. It is.
BUT, its also a BASELINE.
This means that those items specified in the baseline requirements should automatically be included, ialong with all of those mandatory items of inclusion in the report.
Exactly Joe,
But keep posting because most people don’t know that.
I happen to be one who does…
Dale,
How long do you, as an experienced commercial inspector, believe it would take to teach someone how to inspect a commercial AC system, taking into account all the varying configurations, rules, regs, implementation techniques, etc… discounting the ducted portions of the system, such as above ceiling supply plenum, return plenum, under floor data center configs, flex ducting, etc?
1 day, 2 days, 3 days? How long.
Before you answer, be sure to take into account all the different climates involved in the US.
Now… how long was this portion of a commercial inspection class, again? So when you ask if I teach how to inspect a building, I’ll ask, within the realistic time constraints of conducting a CE class, where do you start? Everything is important. So, where.
Poly-phase electric?
Steel structure?
Flatwork?
ADA?
Where???
And, BECUSE you are experienced, is why I enjoy this banter between us. You get it. Many do not.
But, many want to delve into this arena. I teach them what they need to do. They can be experienced PMs and good marketeers, and impact any commercial real estate market with the right tact, knowledge, SME’s available, and balls to do it.
AND, they can provide a kick-*** commercial inspection service to boot. Entertainment? Nope. Reality, yep.
For some, its a sign to stay the hell out of the commercial inspection game. Still taught them something, though.
The SOP doesn’t say you can’t remove ceiling tiles and never did.
Joe,
If someone does not know different configurations of systems, and what they are made of and how they function, and what material is used to construct the building I suggest they go to a school and learn that first.
I’m not asking you to teach someone those item, and the items you mentioned.
I guess I’m one of the lucky ones, my father was a builder and so was I, therefore I can pinpoint something out of whack probably much easier than others, unless you have had hands on experience it would be very confusing.
I believe hands on experience is the only teacher.
So if your last job was a cashier at 7-11…it might take a while to catch on.
I can get an 11 year old girl to do perfect commercial inspections using all outside consultants, hence section 11 of www.nachi.org/comsop.htm, provided she was able to learn to use a copier and a stapler.
A home inspection is much, much harder to perform. Don’t be afraid of commercial inspections.
That’s one of the wildest things you have said in a while. “Home inspections are much harder to perform”
The object of doing the commercial inspection yourself is to MAKE MONEY, not give it to other people, unless you don’t have a clue in the world what the heck your doing, and if that is the case stay away from homes to.
“11 year old girl calling consultants” for krist sake…:shock: …what a scenario…:shock:
Dale,
Its true.
A commercial inspection requires a different set of qualities inthe individual, which starts with process, and includes projectmanagement skills…
If you do it all yourself, you MAY make more. I say MAY, because time os money. I could bring in a team, have them go over it in a much shorter timeframe, generate the report, or coordinate its assembly, get paid, and move on to the next one. My profit margin may be lower, but the opportunity to sell ancillary services higher.
So, there are trade offs.
I know that Joe…I’m inspecting http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/shwaz?&firstpoint=dcb1&cm_mmc=mdpr--GoogleMaps--ex-_-shwaz tomorrow in Show Low Arizona, it is a four hour drive from my office, I have the specialists lined up already…so of course there are different scenario’s…I want in and out ASAP.
Nick
You are probably playing with words. But if I give the SOP to a client he will automatically think that I will not inspect the plenum at least that’s how I read it.
II. The inspector is NOT required to:
A. Inspect paint, wallpaper, window treatments or finish treatments.
B. Inspect central vacuum systems.
C. Inspect safety glazing.
D. Inspect security systems or components.
E. Evaluate the fastening of countertops, cabinets, sink tops and fixtures, or firewall compromises.
F. Move furniture, stored items, or any coverings like carpets or rugs in order to inspect the concealed floor structure.
G. Move drop ceiling tiles.
Mario, I added one. ha. ha. 
Marcel