5 Steps for a Successful Transition from Code Official to Code Consultant

The journey to become a code official is one that requires patience, persistence and a commitment to achieving and maintaining building safety. It is a challenging but rewarding career with multiple avenues for growth. There are code officials who love the job so much that they never retire, and some who do can’t help but come back. 

As code officials grow in their career, they may have the opportunity to guide their district or municipality in a leadership role. They may also decide to focus on a different part of building safety than they had previously. And they can serve on committees to help shape the future of building safety from within. 

But those are not the only ways for code officials to elevate their work. Many choose to evolve their careers – or extend them following retirement – by consulting full- or part-time. While consulting is not for everyone, there are some notable benefits, including a more flexible work schedule. 

Consulting gives former code officials the chance to educate their clients on compliance and achieve positive outcomes. This was part of what attracted Henry L. Green, Past President of the International Code Council, to consulting. He also wanted to hand-pick his own clients and decide which projects to take on.

“I wanted projects that involved assisting people to get beyond a problem,” said Green. “That was the focus for why I was doing the work.” 

If you want to follow in Green’s and other consultants’ footsteps, read on for five steps for how to make a successful transition to code consulting. 

Step 1: Gain Enough Experience to Make the Switch 

Both experience and confidence are critical when transitioning from a job as a code official to a code consultant. Glenn Mathewson, an independent building code expert, educator, consultant and founder of BuildingCodeCollege.com, said that building safety professionals may also benefit from the expertise that comes from teaching others about codes. 

“I found myself receiving more consulting opportunities after I had been teaching code for a while and after publishing many code articles,” said Mathewson. “When teaching code, you are more vulnerable to having your understanding of the code challenged by those listening or reading. In teaching code, you learn how to defend your claims. You learn the importance of extensive research on the subject you are speaking about. These experiences provided some of the skills required to be successful in consulting.” 

Mathewson shared five skills that one should possess or attain before attempting to consult: 

1. Humility 
2. Comfort in vulnerability 
3. Confidence 
4. Ability to conduct extensive research 
5. Writing skills 

“Learn to research code history and past code development documents,” Mathewson added. “You must find and understand the true intent and purpose. You must remove all your own biases or opinions of code. Learn how to research adopted and amended code, understand its intention, disregard your opinions and provide the facts.” 

Step 2: Consider Moonlighting – But Should You Do It? 

Moonlighting is one way for code officials to try their hand at consulting, but it’s not something that should be taken lightly while working as a code official. Mathewson published articles, taught classes and consulted for 11 years while working as an inspector before making the leap to full-time consultant. For anyone looking to do the same, he said that code officials should consult outside of their jurisdiction and make sure their employer allows staff to moonlight. 

However, Green is against moonlighting for anyone working full-time as a code official. 

“There’s a conflict of interest,” Green warned. “Some will tell you they can do consulting outside of their jurisdiction, but I wouldn’t even go that far. You want to keep your life as a code official clear and pristine because you don’t want to be accused of favoring someone or a product or a material. That can come back to bite you later.” 

Step 3: Take The Time to Do It Right 

While it may be tempting to get started immediately, Green recommends that aspiring consultants take the time to ensure their business is set up correctly. 

“Understand the business profile,” Green advised. “And when I say that you must set up a business. There are regulations [to consider]. You don’t want to just jump out there and start doing things. Make sure you get the right insurance for your company and make sure you get the right filings done so your business is legitimate. Also, check with a tax consultant because it can have implications.” 

Other income streams should also be considered, as they may be impacted by any income that’s generated by a consulting business.  

“For example, if you’re collecting social security, you can only make so much money to supplement that,” said Green. “And it has a tax burden. You want to be mindful of that. And that’s why I say consult with a tax consultant.” 

Step 4: Prepare for New Challenges 

Make no mistake – consulting isn’t an easy alternative to serving as a code official. It comes with its own set of challenges. 

“The con [of consulting] is when you provide solid, researched, spot–on information that ends up disregarded because it’s not what someone wanted to hear,” Mathewson lamented. “This can apply to the many varieties of code consulting. For example, when you provide a code analysis to a member of the public facing a code authority decision and the code authority disregards it and continues on with incorrect enforcement on your client. Those instances make the whole industry look bad and leave the consultant disheartened.” 

Clients may also cause a few headaches when the end result isn’t on par with their expectations. To that end, Mathewson said that consultants should hold firm in their results, regardless of what their client says. 

“Do not let clients dictate the language of your reports or findings,” said Mathewson. “Often clients have a predetermined expectation of your findings, and when it’s not what they expected, they may subtly or gently challenge you and encourage you to tweak your findings to fit their intentions. You must be prepared to tell your client what they did not want to hear.” 

Step 5: Don’t Overlook the Experienced Gained from Consulting 

Consulting isn’t for everyone. Some may find that they miss the experience of working as a code official and want to come back. The good news is that there is a path to return, and with the additional experience gained while consulting, building departments may be especially interested. 

“I think any opportunity to expand your horizons, and your knowledge base, makes you more valuable to an employer, be it government or private sector,” said Green. “A person who goes from private consulting to a code official job really brings an advantage from the standpoint of having been in business for themselves and understanding the rigors [someone goes through] when they want to build. You’re seeing it from both sides as well. I think that would make for a very good code official.” 

To learn more about career opportunities in the building safety industry, please click here.