About Us

National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers

As the field of building and home inspection, investigation, and consultation grew over the years, it became evident that an organization was needed to establish the highest standards for this industry and to verify the qualifications of individuals offering these services.

We believed professional engineers and registered architects were uniquely qualified to provide this service. Thus, in 1989, the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers was established.

Much has changed in the building inspection engineering industry over the last decade. Today, many State Boards of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors have deemed that the inspection and evaluation of buildings regarding their structural, electrical, and mechanical systems for proper design, integrity, or capacity, constitutes the practice of engineering. Thus, the need for a professional organization to protect the public with the highest qualifications and standards possible is even more relevant today.

We are proud to have members in all major metropolitan areas and most states. We speak for home and building inspection engineers in every state through monitoring of legislation, court cases and government activity. We interface with affiliated real estate associations and commissions, state engineering boards and other standard setting organizations.

Standards of Practice

Benefits of Membership

Statement of Purpose

The National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE) was established in 1989 to serve the public by advancing the art and skill of engineers who offer their services as expert inspectors, investigators and consultants pertaining to the structural and mechanical components of buildings and homes of all types. The purpose of the Academy is to lead and advance the integrity, value and understanding of the practice of professional engineering, as it applies to the inspection, investigation and consultation involving buildings and homes, for the benefit of the users of its members’ services including the general public, attorneys, realtors, mortgage brokers and other lenders, and other clients, to better serve the needs of real estate purchasers, owners and investors.

Objectives of NABIE

  • To serve the public by advancing the skill and art of engineering analysis, investigation, consultation and expert testimony in Building Inspections and Evaluation based on engineering knowledge or judgment.
  • To establish criteria for and further the education of Building Inspection Engineers through formal studies, seminars and publication of literature on the subject.
  • To engage in research and the publication of papers, books and articles on the art and science of building inspection engineering.
  • To elevate standards and the ethical concepts governing the practice of building inspection engineering.
  • To cooperate with and assist other legitimate professions and organizations engaged in building inspection and building system related activities.
  • To develop a standard of practice for the type of investigations appropriate for the complexity of a client’s objectives
  • To provide education for its members specific to the tasks of building inspection to enhance and keep current each members skills

Since 1989, the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers has worked to establish the highest standards for the building and home inspection industry and to verify the qualifications of individuals offering these services.

NABIE only accepts state-licensed professional engineers, and registered architects, specializing in the practice of building inspection as members. Apart from the requirement that our members also be members of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) or the American Institute of Architects (AIA), many of our members are active in other technical organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Professional Engineers in Private Practice (PEPP), a division of NSPE.

Services Provided

  • Inspection of homes and multi-family residential buildings
  • Inspection of commercial/retail buildings
  • Property Condition Assessments (PCA’s)
  • Reserve and Transition Studies for Condominium Associations
  • Structural integrity/defect inspections and repair design
  • Investigation of failures/collapses
  • Forensic investigation/testimony
  • HUD Permanent foundation inspections/design
  • Property condition assessments (PCAs) and reserve funding studies
  • Architecture
  • Phase I environmental surveys
  • Storm damage evaluations/restoration
  • Due diligence for investors and asset managers
  • Special inspections (cladding, roof, facade, water intrusion, mechanical, electrical)
  • Builder warranty inspections
  • Construction/Project design, management, plan review, and quality monitoring
  • Special inspections as required by building code officials
  • Structural inspections of mid and high rise buildings
  • High rise façade and fire escape inspection according to the municipal ordinances

Officers

ROBERT ROOP, P.E.

President

Mr. Roop is President at Lockatong Engineering, Inc. He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Villanova University. His work experience includes 41 years of experience in facility and environmental engineering, investigations, technical feasibility studies, prototype/pilot plant design and evaluation, final design and installation of processes and commercialization of product, design of repairs, improvements, and enhancements to improve efficiency, occupant comfort and life extension in existing structures, indoor air quality investigation, design of HVAC system upgrades and maintenance programs, private residential, commercial (office, residential, light industrial) and institutional facilities such as schools and hospitals. Professional associations include: Professional Engineer in NJ, PA, MA, NY, DE, CT, RI, VT, MN; Building Inspection Engineers Certification Institute; National Society of Professional Engineers, Past President Bucks County Chapter; National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers; Healthcare Facility Management Society of New Jersey – Advocacy Chairman; American Society for Healthcare Engineering; American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers; National Fire Protection Association; The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

DAVID H. DOTSON, P.E., R.S., C.B.I.E

Vice President

Mr. Dotson is President of Criterium-Dotson Engineers. He has a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas. Mr. Dotson has personally conducted thousands of property evaluations including PCA’s, Phase I ESA’s, roofs, masonry, stucco, EIFS, siding wall systems, window systems, life safety systems, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and feasibility studies. Investigative experience includes building envelope, moisture intrusion, structural systems, drainage systems, retaining and screen walls. CDE provides repair plans and specifications for foundations and structural systems, drainage systems, and building envelope systems, as well as comprehensive property rehabilitation plans and specifications. CDE also provides independent Quality Assurance inspections for commercial and multi-family building envelopes and structures. Mr. Dotson has performed both Structural design and turn-key Architectural and Engineering services on commercial projects including office buildings, schools and remodels, and multi-family. Mr. Dotson is also a Reserve Specialist as designated by the Community Associations Institute. CDE has performed thousands of capital Reserve Fund Studies ranging from single-family homeowner associations to high rise condominiums, commercial office parks, institutional, and entire campus religious facilities. His Expert Witness services have included single-family residential, condominium and townhome construction defect litigation. Professional associations include: the National Society of Professional Engineers; Texas Society of Professional Engineers; National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers (Board Member); and Community Association institute.

GREG BUSTAMANTE, PE

Treasurer

As president and founder of Bustamante Engineers Inc., Greg has over 35 years of engineering expertise and oversees all civil and structural engineering projects for his firm. He has inspected thousands of buildings including industrial, commercial, and multi-family buildings, as well as condominium and townhomes for community associations. He is also involved with litigation support for building envelope issues and is currently on the Board of Directors for the local Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers. As CAI RESERVE specialist, he has been involved with or managed over 250 reserve fund studies all within the tristate area. Greg also has professional engineering licenses in three states, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

DAVID YANCY, PE

Secretary

Mr. Yancy is a degreed Civil Engineer and the Principal Engineer and President of Criterium – Yancy Engineers.  Mr. Yancy and the firm engage in the comprehensive investigation of commercial and residential properties. With close to twenty (20) years of cumulative engineering experience to draw from, Mr. Yancy has proficiency in an extensive range of projects and fields including but not limited to civil and structural systems, mechanical, plumbing & electrical systems, structural design, envelope failure and analysis, architectural claddings and assemblies, environmental site investigations, code compliance, and land development.  Mr. Yancy holds professional engineering licenses in Texas, Louisiana, and Colorado. He is also actively involved in a number of professional organizations and his local church.

Join NABIE

NABIE encourages all professional engineers and architects involved in the building inspection engineering industry to join our organization.

Standards of Practice

Perhaps the greatest contribution made to the building inspection engineering industry has been the development of the NABIE Standards of Practice

Upcoming Events