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The Commercial Property Inspector Podcast
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.
The Commercial Property Inspector Podcast
Building Your Business Ep. #26: Scaling to Six-Figure Government Contracts with Mike Dunne
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Government contracts aren't just for big companies with specialized certifications.
In this episode, host Rob Claus sits down with Mike Dunne, owner of Dunne Inspection Services in Cheyenne, Wyoming and a CCPIA® member since the organization's inception. Mike has built a multi-inspector firm serving a three-state region across Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. His journey from solo residential inspector to running a company securing six-figure government contracts offers practical insights for inspectors ready to scale beyond typical client relationships.
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Mike Dunne, CCPIA Member in Cheyenne, WY
00:47 – From Cowboy to Railroad Worker to Home Inspector
06:11 – Turning a Side Hustle into a Full-Time Business
08:39 – Business Books That Changed His Mindset
11:20 – Learning to Run the Business, Not Just Do the Job
16:22 – Serving a Rural Market: Staffing, Mileage & Local Hiring
23:04 – Using Assistants to Scale Inspections During COVID
27:04 – Expanding from Residential into Commercial Inspections
29:01 – Building Trusted Referral Partnerships
33:48 – Breaking into Government Contracting
41:10 – Landing Unique Contracts: Sewer Surveys & Pressure Vessels
45:09 – Navigating Primes, Subs & Set-Aside Programs
49:43 – Free Resources: SAM.gov & Apex Accelerators
53:57 – Finding Opportunity Through NAICS Codes
58:14 – Say Yes First, Figure Out the Details Later
1:02:16 – Closing Thoughts & Thanks
Related Resources for Commercial Property Inspectors:
- CCPIA® Commercial Property Inspector Mentor Program
- Commercial Property Inspectors: Who They Are and Who Hires Them
- SWOT Analysis for Commercial Property Inspection Companies
- Business Development Resources for Commercial Property Inspectors
Watch or listen (anywhere, anytime, and any way you like). Visit ccpia.org to browse the video library!