CDRS Tom Heap print

Tom learned the trades early in a tough regulatory and business environment, as a Northern California General Contractor. Now 30 years later he is a municipal building inspector dedicated to advancing the productivity of the building industry. Active in ICC Code Development and in private building trade associations such as the National Association of Home Builders, Tom is centered in the construction industry.

He is keenly aware of the intricate relationships that occasionally break down between owners and contractors, insurance companies and claims recipients, landlords and tenants, material suppliers and contractors, and endless other scenarios. Tom has a mediation style that breaks most quagmires and reasonably satisfies most parties. Accurate honest research and a strong desire to expose the contractual intent usually ends the impasse and allows parties to move forward. Contractors need a fast settlement so they can get paid for what they have properly built enabling them to move on to the next project and keep their reputation at the highest level possible. Owners just want their projects completed in a timely manner and at responsible cost and expected quality. A neutral third party can shed light on the big picture and help the frustrated parties to adjust their game plan back to a “win-win” relationship. As a neutral arbiter/mediator with construction expertise and good Building Code knowledge Tom can help you achieve your goals.

California General Building Contractor (B402611) 1981
California Asbestos Abatement Contractor 1981
ICC Certified Building Inspector 1998
ICC Certified Commercial Plumbing Inspector 2004
ICC Associate Member of Code Council 2004
New Mexico Certified Building Inspector 1998
New Mexico Floodplain Manager 1997
CDRS Certified Mediator/Expert Witness 2006

Tom became involved in construction as a full time career in 1976 in Modesto and Stockton, California. Starting as a full time framer, Tom quickly transitioned to remodel contractor. Tom eventually worked some in every residential trade even doing some whole house total makeovers. In 1980 Tom was completing large house projects for owners who had severed their original contractor relationship. Some of these homes were large (12,000 sq. ft.). A spec house was always kept available as a model home to promote and sell custom contracts. The next phase was light commercial and apartments and some light industrial. Tom is presently a building inspector for the City of Clovis, New Mexico. He reviews plans and inspects large industrial, commercial, and residential construction projects. He works with multiple entities (the Homebuilder’s Association of Eastern New Mexico, the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation, the City of Clovis Municipal Government, numerous State and Federal agencies and legislators at all levels) to promote regulatory justice, and maximize production opportunity for construction in the East New Mexico and West Texas region. Tom is a powerful advocate for private property rights and home ownership.

Over 30 years of hands-on trades experience and contracting experience.
Over 10 years of plan review and onsite building inspections.
Continuing education classes through University of Texas, Arlington:

1. Certification training for Building Official Position. (2007)
2. 2003 IRC Electrical based on 2002 NEC (2006)
3. Foundation and Repair for Inspectors
4. Overview of the International Fuel Code
5. 2003 IRC Review of Plan Review Chapters
6. 2003 IRC Mechanical Issues
7. Plumbing and Mechanical Systems for Residential Inspectors.
8. IBC Occupancy Classifications (2005)
9. Building Height and Area
10. Types of Construction
11. Fire Resistant Materials and Construction
12. Means of Egress
13. Plan review of one and two family dwellings
14. IBC Tables and their interpretation.
15. Commercial Kitchen Hoods (2004)
16. Duct Systems and Protection of Air Transfer
17. Vents and Venting
18. Water and Sewer Line Sizing
19. Gas Piping Installations
20. General Plumbing Regulations.
21. Overview of Certified Building Official Certification.
22. Numerous seminars on code issues; mold abatement; asbestos removal; roofing litigation

Studied archaeology in Jerusalem in 1971 (lived with Czechoslovakian and Rhodesian roommates who had both lost members of their families to tyrannical governments)

Worked in British Columbia and associated with Eastern Block families and Holocaust Victims.

Worked in Atlanta helping abused kids find sponsors to enable them to move from “the projects” to more suitable surroundings.

Operated as a major labor broker for NASCAR. Provided the largest contingent of laborers under the guarantee that my workers would be professionally respectful and that they would not steal.

Performed onsite inspections and advisory aid for Southwest Cheese Facility (Dahlgren-Skanska Corporation). Second largest contractor internationally.

Act as a Board Member and committee participant in numerous venues of the National Association of Home Builders including the State and local boards.

Passionately works and lobbies for construction industry issues, constitutional principles, private property rights, and regulatory justice.

Father was a very reputable attorney with offices in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and San Francisco, who fought for regulatory justice and contractual honesty mediating “the sense” in hundreds of cases and negotiating worthwhile and productive conclusions.

I deeply respect producers and tradesmen, but I also understand the apprehension and frustration of owners as the inevitable and awkward adjustments to a project tend to pile up at the closing of the project. I believe I have the neutral honesty, the technical understanding, and the general respect and desire for both parties to finalize their project. I have mediated a hundred or more cases mostly from a government venue. These have involved mostly construction and building code issues, landlord-tenant complaints, owner/contractor contractual expectations, price/quality performance requirements, subcontractor relationships, and basically any stall or change where my intervention has been requested. I enjoy helping people move forward.