by Chuck McClain | Mar 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
The scope and level of depth in diagnosing the structural system can vary widely. The system’s components are frequently reviewed superficially during a general ASTM-Standard PCA walk-through of the interior and exterior of a building. All going well, this... by Chuck McClain | Jan 10, 2013 | Uncategorized
One of the most exciting aspects of the past year has been the increasing quantity of portfolio work we’ve been involved in. From student housing complexes in AZ, CA and IL, and a group of large shopping centers in Las Vegas to dozens of retail stores throughout... by Chuck McClain | Nov 7, 2012 | Uncategorized
This time of year I always start thinking about how thankful I am that I have the opportunity to work with such ideal clients. I have noticed more and more how we end up meeting and working with clients that are perfect for us: They appreciate quality work from... by Chuck McClain | May 22, 2012 | Uncategorized
In 2011 we started working with Portland Energy Conservation Inc. (PECI) developing methodologies for building operations surveys and energy audits. PECI – http://www.peci.org/ – is a non-profit group that has focused on energy efficiency issues since... by Chuck McClain | Apr 6, 2012 | Uncategorized
One of the most enjoyable aspects of our business is customizing report formats for clients. This can be one of the more creative and artistic areas of our business. I love finding out exactly what the client wants and needs, and then crafting report formatting and... by Chuck McClain | Feb 21, 2012 | Uncategorized
Each facility assessment project is a new game. I love that each project presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for learning. I love that the general project management framework – pre-project preparation, site visit and report writing – is the same for... by Chuck McClain | Jan 23, 2012 | Uncategorized
I have had the good fortune to work with most of the facility assessment companies in the due diligence industry over the past three decades and to have learned from many Experts who were very successful in their field. In many cases they were Experts with a capital... by Chuck McClain | Dec 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
I like how Seth Godin (www.sethgodin.com) recently distinguished the difference between a failure and a mistake: A failure is a project that doesn’t work, an initiative that teaches you something at the same time the outcome doesn’t move you directly... by Chuck McClain | Oct 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
One of the areas of business that I enjoy the most is the game of pricing: figuring out the highest fees we can get on any given project so that the client sees the value of our work and signs the contract. Whether it is a single project in the middle of nowhere or a... by Chuck McClain | Sep 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
I’ve noticed recently that one of the challenges for relatively inexperienced PCA professionals is to sift through all the data that is collected at a site and focus on the few important “big ticket” items identified at the property. If there’s more to the truth...