Real Past Builders, Trades + Construction Geniuses/Enthusiasts With Real-World Experience

Spearheaded By Brian Cornwell + REAL experienced past builders, tradespeople and construction genius/enthusiast inspectors. Backed by the Colorado’s highest training, hiring and education standards. 

Professionals who’ve been on the job site, not just behind a screen. Even the most “esteemed” inspectors often lack real-world expertise. The industry standard (99%) consists of armchair experts who acquire online certificates and theoretical knowledge from videos and multi-choice questions. We will NEVER, ever hire these individuals to assess your biggest investment. Our high performance inspectors ALL possess in-field experience and are educated lightyears ahead of the rest.

More certifications, memberships, and licenses than anyone else in Colorado.

On Demand Licensed Tradespeople For Commercial Properties:

An inspection industry first, we utilize a team of Colorado state-licensed structural engineers, plumbers, electricians, HVACR technicians, etc. all of which are available for an additional fee. Need a highly specialized inspection of a commercial roof top HVAC unit? No problem. Let us arrange everything for you. 

Who Is Brian Cornwell? - Why Did He Start Colorado's First And Only High Performance Inspection?

Building Supporters Owner, Master High Performance Home + Commercial Inspector, Master Passive House Builder + Architect, Construction Museum Founder + Collector, Materials Magazine Chief Editor, + Building Scientist

Brian Cornwell is the mastermind behind Building Supporters, where building science meets pure genius. In his early 30s, Brian didn’t just build a house; he constructed a 4,478 square-foot, multi-million dollar mountain home in Lyons, Colorado from the ground up. As both the master architect and builder, Brian tackled the world’s most difficult building standard, Passive House, performing every single trade firsthand—with zero mortgage.

But Brian’s expertise spans beyond residential and commercial development. He’s a living encyclopedia of building history, components, and methods, founding North America’s first “Construction Museum,” the Materials Museum in Boulder. Brian’s private collection totals more than 40,000 artifacts, including original copper from the Statue of Liberty, the world’s first framing nailer, and cladding from the peak of the Empire State Building.

As the founder and chief editor of “Materials Magazine,” Brian educates top builders, commercial developers, tradespeople, and architects monthly while building out the world’s most energy-efficient and longest-lasting wall assemblies. His education innovates while challenging conventional building practices.

Brian has trekked some of the most remote and dangerous mountain trails in Colorado to explore historic abandoned mines, ghost towns, and structures. He has extensively studied how Colorado’s challenging environmental factors —including high altitude, extreme winter weather, and harsh ultraviolet radiation—deteriorate buildings over time. Brian’s fascination with mining and material science has taught him how underground minerals and ores are transformed into building products, and how these materials respond in
real-world applications.

Brian knows the root causes behind material and method failures, the building science behind them, and the solutions. Brian personally mentors every single high-performance inspector on his team. They don’t just learn from a textbook; they learn from a master who has walked the walk, from enduring brutal mountain conditions to mastering the art and science of construction.

So, when it comes to property inspections and building problem solving, no one is more qualified. Brian’s unparalleled expertise ensures that every inspection is conducted with the highest standards, rooted in real-world experience and material/building science. That’s the difference Brian brings to every high performance inspection.

As the master builder + architect, Brian built his mountain home to the most difficult building standard in the world: Passive House.

We Inspect More - Way More

Did you know that NONE of these things are required by inspection industry standards? Most inspectors don’t do them. As Colorado’s only High Performance inspection, we do all these extra things at no extra cost.

Pick and choose your auxiliary services for an additional fee: 

We’re more than just an inspection company:

 

We See What Other Inspectors Can’t: Infrared Thermographic Surveys included with every High Performance inspection for FREE.
Advanced infrared technology allows us to potentially detect a broad spectrum of issues lurking unseen within your property’s walls.

 

Residential:

In addition to complying with InterNACHI standards (residential) + BSHP Standards, our high performance
inspections FAR exceed expectations. Visit buildingsupporters.com/sop for full list.

• Window and Door Glazing + IGU Integrity + Skylights + Egress + Safety Glazing
  Roofing + Gutters + Roofing Drainage Systems
• Flashing (Window/Door Head + Roof Drip Edge + Kick Out ) + Exterior Cladding
  + Siding Including EIFS/Stucco
• Ventilation + Vapor Control + Moisture Intrusion
• Plumbing (Drain, Waste and Vent) + Water Heaters + Exterior Faucets + Water
  Distribution + Visible Water Main
• Interior Plumbing (Drains, Sinks, Toilets, Tubs + Showers)
• Electrical Main Panels and Sub Panels + Wiring Safety ( Service Drop, Entrance
  Conductors, Cables, Grounding + Raceways)
• Interior Electrical (GFCI, AFCI, Outlets, Switches, + Lights)
  Heating + Cooling Systems + Ductwork + Register Operation + Condensate
  Disposal + Exhaust Fans
• Site Grading + Drainage + Retaining Walls
• Appliances (Trash Compactor + Washer + Dyer + Microwave + Dishwasher +
  Garage Disposals + Vent Hoods + Refrigerators, Freezers, Ovens, Cooktops +)
• Environmental Damage (Fire, Insect, Wind, Flood, Earthquake)
• Attics, Walls, Basements
• Pools + Spas + Equipment (Auxiliary service)
• Building Penetrations, Exterior Maintenance, Weatherization + Flashings
• Gas Lines (Leak detectors with liquid gas detection solution for secondary
  confirmation)
• Fire Sprinkler (Auxiliary service) + Safety Devices (Smoke and CO alarms
  recommended when not present)
• Basements, Attics + Crawlspaces + Foundations + Structural Components
• Heat recovery ERV and HRV + Demand Controlled Ventilation
• Garages + Driveways + Overhead Doors
• Framing + Decks + Balconies (Posts, Beams, Joists, Sheathing + Decking)
• Stoops + Steps + Porches + Patios
• Fuel-Burning + Insert Fireplaces + Chimneys (Crowns, Walls, + Flashing)
• Staircases + Railings + Guards
• Insulation + Air Leaks
• Counters + Countertops
• Septic Systems + Sewer Drains (Auxiliary service)
• Nearby Building Vegetation + Wildfire Risk (Auxiliary service)
• Sump Systems (Basket + Pump + Cover + Piping Extensions)

Commercial: 

In addition to complying with InterNACHI/CCPIA standards (commercial) + BSHP Standards, our high performance inspections FAR exceed expectations. Visit buildingsupporters.com/comsop for full list. ASTM Standard E2018-15 & similar, including bespoke high performance inspections are available upon request.

• Window and Door Glazing (Including Aluminum-Framed and Storefront) + IGU
  Integrity + Skylights + Egress + Safety Glazing + Sloped Glazing Canopies
• Roofing (Insulation + Membranes including Low Slope), Gutters, Roofing
• Drainage Systems + Flashing (Window/Door Head + Roof Drip Edge + Kick Out)
• Foundation + Structural Components + Welds + Walls, Attics and Basements (Steel,
  Wood, Masonry, Concrete + More) + Decks + Balconies Posts, Beams, Joists,
• Sheathing + Decking) + Facades: Exterior Cladding + Siding Including EIFS/Stucco
• Building Envelopes: Ventilation + Vapor Control + Moisture Intrusion
• Plumbing (Drain, Waste and Vent) + Water Heaters + Exterior Faucets + Water
  Distribution + Water Main + Backflow Preventer + (Sinks, Toilets, Tubs + Showers)
• Electrical Main Panels and Sub Panels (Three-Phase Power) + Wiring Safety
  (Commercial Line Voltage, Entrance Conductors, Cables, Grounding + Raceways)
• Interior Electrical (GFCI, AFCI, Outlets, Switches, + Lights)
• Heating + Cooling Systems: (Boilers, Chillers, Cooling Towers + Large Air Distribution)
  + Makeup Air + Ductwork + Register Operation + Condensate Disposal + Exhaust Fans,
  AHU and VAV Boxes, Filters, Drip Leg, Gas Line Coatings, Work Platforms
• Site Grading + Storm Water Drainage + Retaining Walls + Flatwork: Plazas +
  Stoops + Steps + Porches + Patios + Driveways + Sidewalks
• Appliances (Trash Compactor + Washer + Dyer + Microwave + Dishwasher + Garage
  Disposals + Refrigerators, Freezers, Ovens, Cooktops
• Vent Hoods Type I, II, Grease Traps, + Counters + Countertops
• Environmental Damage (Fire, Insect, Wind, Flood, Earthquake)
• Pools + Spas + Ponds + Fountains (Auxiliary service)
• Building Penetrations, Exterior Maintenance, Weatherization (Exterior Sealants)
• Gas Lines (Leak Detectors plus liquid gas detection solution)
• Annunciator + Fire Sprinklers (Auxiliary service) + Safety Devices (Smoke and
  CO Alarms Recommended when not present) + Firewall Penetrations + Emergency
  Lighting + Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems + Fire Separation Doors (Auxiliary
  service)
• Exit Stairwells and Trip Hazards + Ladders + Manual-actuation devices
• Heat recovery ERV and HRV + Demand Controlled Ventilation
• Garages + Overhead Doors + Loading Platforms
• Fuel-Burning + Insert Fireplaces + Chimneys (Crowns, Walls, + Flashing)
• Staircases + Railings + Guards + Ramps
• Insulation + Air Leaks
• Nearby Building Vegetation + Exterior Lighting (Auxiliary service)
• Sump Systems (Basket + Pump + Cover + Piping Extensions)

We Report More - Way More

No waiting, ever. Get your high performance report delivered digitally on the same day. We welcome walk-throughs at the end of every high performance inspection: Get to know your property inside and out.

Multi-hour, high performance inspections tell the full story of your property. Each is meticulously crafted to give you more negotiation power for repairs or cash back at closing. For properties sold as-is, you may find that the cost of repairs is more than you initially expected.

• Includes InterNACHI standards (residential) or CCPIA (commercial), plus Building Supporters High Performance standards.
• Super easy to understand defects + maintenance items in two categories. Plus, hundreds of photos taken during the inspection, including thermal imaging scans and aerial roof surveys. Plus, drain videos for auxiliary sewer scopes.
• We report the electrical panel amperage, water pressure, size/age of the water heater, approx. age of HVAC equipment, plumbing material, and utility shut-off locations.
• Accessible electrical panel, HVAC, and mechanical equipment serial + model tags/labels are captured and shared with you. All appliances are checked against the RecallChek database for recall records.

We use the most advanced and interactive reporting software on the planet.

We Protect More - Way More

We use a portion of every dollar we make to secure our clients the best warranty coverage, insurance and protections in all of Colorado. All standard, at no additional cost to you ever.

We carry BOTH Errors + Omissions and General Liability Insurance. Only 5% of ALL inspectors have this, because it’s incredibly expensive.

 

Elite Inspection Warranty Included $0 deductible: Eligible mechanical and structural repairs and mold remediation expenses are reimbursed up to $2250.00. Qualifying roof leakage repairs expenses are reimbursed up to $1000 per property. Covers anything that was inspected including structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, as well as appliances, roofing, exteriors, interiors, and potential pest infestations.

 

InterNACHI We’ll Buy Your Home Back Guarantee Included $0 Deductible: Full purchase price. Honored for 90 days after closing. Not all inspectors can offer this service, as it requires InterNACHI certification plus an advanced CPI designation, which Building Supporters has obtained.

InterNACHI Referring Real Estate Agent Protection Included: InterNACHI will indemnify any licensed real estate agent in an amount up to $10,000 if a third party successfully sues the agent for negligent referral of an InterNACHI inspector.

InterNACHI’s Honor Guarantee Included: InterNACHI’s $25,000 Honor Guarantee protects you against personal property loss during an inspection.

 

ISG 125-Day Warranty Plus Included $0 Deductible: Mechanical + Structural Coverage: Water lines, faucets, water heaters, drain lines, gas lines. Electrical: Main service panel, secondary service panel, and wiring. Appliances: Kitchen Appliances including and limited to oven, range, dishwasher, built-in microwave, trash compactor, and garbage disposal. Heating/Air (HVAC): Furnace, Air Conditioner, and Thermostats. Poured Concrete & Block wall foundations. Floor joists, bottom & top plates, and wall members. Roof leak repair (does not include replacement of bad shingles), load bearing walls, attached
garage doors.

ISG 125-Day SewerGard Plus Included: Up to $4,000 coverage ($2,000 coverage per line) Extended to 12 months with a clear sewer scope.

ISG 125-Day MoldSafe Included: Up to $2,000 remediation coverage of new visible mold growth.

ISG Radon Protection Plan Plus Included: Up to $1200 for a mitigation system to be installed to the home. 120 days or 12 months if active mitigation system installed. *Testing required.

ISG 5-Year Roof Leak Protection Plan Included: Up to $3,000. Covers the roof, for leaks, for period of 5 years from the date of inspection.

ISG Termite Protection Included: 90 days following inspection. Covers cover the cost to treat new termite and carpenter ant infestations.

ISG NXT Structural Warranty Included: Up to $5,000 per claim, and $100,000 for the duration of the 12-month policy. Covers structural component malfunctions and failures as follows: footings and foundation systems, beams, girders, lintels, masonry arches, columns, load-bearing walls, partitions, roof framing systems, and floor systems, subject to limitations and exclusions.

 

Building Supporters 100/Day Guarantee Included: Here’s our ironclad satisfaction 100/day guarantee, clear and straightforward: “If we fail to meet the Standards of Practice, don’t pay us. That’s our promise to you. ”

Building Supporters Canceled Escrow Guarantee Included: Building Supporters helps protect you from paying full price for a second home inspection with a $199 discount off the regular price.

 

RecallChek Appliance Recall Checks Included: We submit the make and model numbers from your appliances, furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters to ensure that you not only get the free repairs that you are owed currently, but also to protect your families safety.

 

* valid only on. terms

We Save You More Money - Way More

Just say no to hidden health hazards and expensive repairs. High performance reports mean less stress and serious negotiation power. Most clients see a 4-6x return on investment or higher.

Be empowered to hold sellers accountable for addressing identified issues, ultimately leading to significant cost savings. Meticulous documentation strengthens your negotiating position with sellers, facilitating more favorable outcomes. Our clients often realize substantial savings that frequently exceed four to six times the initial inspection fee, resulting in more money in your pocket.

Save thousands of dollars $$$$ – real world defects that can plague your pocketbook:

• Thermographic scan revealing in-wall pipe leak damage: $8,930
• Failing roof causing water intrusion: $33,500
• Improperly flashed and failing window IGUs: $64,293
• Defective HVAC equipment: $15,290
• Chimney rebuilt from the roof up: $5,000
• Aluminum wiring causing fire hazard: $8,238
• Recalled electrical panel requiring replacement: $6,920
• Leaking water heater: $2,855
• Non-repairable failing dishwasher: $1,624
• New broiler replacement: $13,000
• Fungal remediation/mold removal and basement waterproofing: $27,899
• Improperly installed sewer main line with crushed piping: $6,254
• Failing roof skylight units: $2,293
• Removal of oak tree branches overhanging roof: $3,000
• Improper grading and drainage with French drain, gutter replacement: $8,220
• Overhead sewer failure: $6,900
• Master bathroom tile shower water flood test failure and rot damage: $18,000
• Structural failure requiring helical piles to stabilize house: $32,000
• Deck structural failure due to framing rot and improper installation: $13,500

See more savings here.