TRAINING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SINCE 1997

Peter J McLaughlin

Peter has been a Building Inspector for the past 30+ years and has been training the Construction Industry since 1997!.  Teaching has always been one of his passions and it shows in the classroom!  Since starting Greater Boston Code Consultants, he has brought his knowledge and expertise to thousands of colleagues.  In his spare time, Peter is the Building Commissioner for the City of Cambridge, MA. Peter also taught Code and Contracts classes for the North Bennet Street School, Wentworth Institute of Technology and the AGC of MA.  Peter served on the BOCC Board and the BBRS Board as a Member of Academia for Continuing Education Training. The success of our company has been based on Peter's simple philosophy; keep the classes interesting, interactive, informative, treat each student with respect and be brief!  Long, drawn out classes do not make for better learning.  Through the years we have been fortunate to teach people from all over the world.  Student diversity is what makes us stand out.  He understands the challenges of ESL students, women in construction and people of all races, ethnicities and identities who struggle at Building Departments in Massachusetts and is actively working to make everyone's experience fair.  In his spare time, he loves carving, building furniture, golf, playing guitar, playing with his two dogs, Maggie and Lucy,  following the Boston Sports Teams and family time!

Diane McLaughlin

Diane is our Administrator and also Peter's wife! Diane takes care of all the behind the scenes work. She fills the class rooms, returns the emails, handles registrations, payroll, banking and managing the website. She loves helping people understand the process of obtaining their license and maintaining it. She loves to encourage and help with any questions you have. When you call our number or email us, it's usually Diane that responds. She enjoys the family business and loves to assist potential and current students and help with new ways of making your process more simple.

Lily Schwartz

Lily helps with administrative work behind the scenes! Lily found GBCC through her partner (who happens to be Peter & Diane’s daughter) and has been working with us since January 2025. Lily mans the inbox and helps keep things organized. She loves working with people and helping them get where they need to go! Lily has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Smith College and is currently getting her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons University. She lives with her partner and their black cat, Molly Moon, in Medford, where you can find her reading, writing, and/or watching reality TV.

Mike Ciampa

Mike is our right hand during CSL and ABC License Prep.  During the Zoom classes, he is behind the scenes, fielding student questions while Peter is presenting.  When you have questions between classes, Mike is most likely the person to assist you.  He joined our classes as a CSL Prep Instructor in 2022 and he is working on new material to present during our Continuing Education workshops as well. Mike is the Director of Inspectional Services in the Town of Arlington and, as a former Contractor himself, he is very knowledgeable in Construction and the Building Code. He is an important part of our team!

Michael Grover

Mike Grover is a recently retired Building Inspector with the City of Cambridge.  Peter and Michael worked together for many years in Cambridge and his knowledge of the Building Code and Building Department procedures has helped many of our students over the years.  He is an important part of our Continuing Education program, bringing his Code Review knowledge, i.e. Existing Building and Residential Requirements of the Building Code to help CSL holders receive the knowledge and credit they need to renew their licenses.  Now that he is retired, we are hoping he has more time to develop more content to bring to our Clients!

Chris Towski

Chris Towski is an adjunct instructor for GBCC. In his spare time, he is a Fire Lieutenant for the City of Cambridge MA IAFF Local 30. Advocate for Fire Safeguarding Buildings Under Construction. Fire, Electrical and Building Code Consultant. Served all Ranks at the Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts. Technical Coe Member NFPA 855, 241, 1660, 3& 4, 88A, 30A and 800. Standards Technical Panel Member UL 9540 & 9540A and 3202. MA Licensed Electrician and Construction Supervisor. Instructor of Electrical Safety and Specializing in Construction Site Fire Safety for All. Board Member Representing the MA Department of Fire Services on the MA Board of Elevator Regulations. Board Member Representing the Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts on the MA Board of Fire Prevention Regulations. Owner of MCM Industries, LLC. Chris also has his own business, MCM Industries, LLC.  

I wanted to let you know to pass on to Peter that I took his CSL class in August and September, 2016 and passed the test in 30 minutes a week after the last class.  Every question I had was in the homework provided.  Please share with your entire team that I appreciate the work and prep you have put into offering a great class. 

Blake Johnson | Lead Superintendent, EMJ Construction

Hey Peter, let me start off with "I walked in there, got a 100%, no doubt" hehe (one of your in-class jokes)
It was pleasure having you as the teacher. After a long day at work, I was more concerned of not falling asleep but that wasn't the case with your class, it was fun and energetic to learn more. I'm happy I took your class, and I will definitely recommend others to take your class. 
Thank you,

- Hourmat Abdul Rauf, BuildAR Group.

Took the test today and passed. Thanks for the informative classes, the attention to detail, the drills, the sarcasms and valuable insight that went into each class. As you said..."study the means how to find the answers and you will answer the questions" and the test will be easy - so true. I found that the sample tests on your web site was the best means to prepare once away from the classroom. No surprises on the test. I was finished in a little over an hour. I will most certainly recommend your classes to anyone I run into looking to pass the test. Funny thing is, I really only need a 1/2 family restricted license (as it seems 90% of tradesmen/foremen have for a lic.) Glad I went for the whole thing.

- Charlie Viens, Charlie's Drywall & Painting

 This course was the key to my future, Peters' no nonsense method of teaching is the best way for a person like me, who has a hard time with reading, comprehension, and flat out just paying attention to learn. I was told by a freind who took the course and got his builders' license the first time he took the test. Straight and to the point is how its done, and its also how I got it done!! Taking this class was the best career decision i have ever made!!! Thanks Peter!!!

- Rocco DiMaggio

 I took your Oct/Nov CSL prep course and am happy to report that I passed the exam on February 4th! I've been involved with construction projects for 10+ years as a property/project manager but when Paul Campbell at RedStar Construction suggested I sit for the CSL exam, I'll admit that I was a bit intimidated. I entered the real estate industry with the goal of becoming a full time project/construction manager but I wasn't sure I had enough experience/knowledge to pass the exam. The information and study techniques provided in your class and your light-hearted way of teaching helped alleviate some of that anxiety and aided me in realizing that this is exactly the right career path for me to be on! Thank you for all of your help

- Megan Kenny

 "As soon as I took the first practice test, it became obvious how valuable and helpful the Building Code course was. Peter Mclaughlin gives you the tips and guidance on navigating the code book, and sets you up with the tools and confidence to pass the test. As a teacher, Peter's style couldn't be more clear and straightforward. His ability to simplify and breakdown the material helps the class focus on exactly what we need to know. And even in a large class you feel that no question or concern goes unaddressed. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in getting their license and moving to the next level."

- Pablo Picker

 Hi Peter,

I was not looking forward to this class but after the first night i was so glad I came to class. You are a great teacher and you explain everything and make it simple to understand. If you had been my teacher when I was at school I would have got a lot better grades.

- Ellen Scanlon, Scanlon Construction

 Peter,

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your class. Taking this course was the best decision I made. Understanding the code books were a task in itself, never mind finding a particular answer to a question. I am not only very confident in finding anything in the code books, but your style of teaching and explaining helped me memorize a lot of the material without trying. Thanks again, I am looking forward to your OSHA 10 hour class.

- Mike Loux, Lawrence General Hospital

 Thanks for a fun and informative class once again. I will keep you posted on my grade point average after Saturday. I passed your mock test along to a contractor that already has their license and just wants to keep on top of the industry. I hope this will be ok. you will probably get his results anyway. Just wanted to know if this would be ok with you. !@!@??? Again thanks for everything. I will send everyone in this industry to your class before taking the test. Even if I don't get 100% I know that I can have the knowledge that I need to take the test. Most Appreciative,

- Susie

 Peter,

Took the test yesterday - no problems. Piece of cake after your class. Took about an hour and a half. I'm convinced that the people who fail either try to wing it without the books, or just don't know how to use the books. One thing i thought i'd email you - there were 3 questions on vestibules relating to remodeling/energy that were on there that i did not have indexed or noted with my energy notes - Anyways, figured i'd let you know in case they are new questions that are being used. Every other one was indexed and highlighted. Thanks Again,

- Michael Procopio, Procopio Enterprises Inc.

 Peter,

Just letting you know, that I took the exam on August 28th, and I passed. Thanks for all the help to get me on the passing side of that test. If you have any questions I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks,

- Art Boucher

 "I was in your recent CSL exam prep class. I just wanted to let you know that I took the test today and passed. I really want to thank you for giving me the info I needed to do so. I took a class given by the one of your competitors two years ago and failed. I was so devastated when I failed that I almost got out of the business. Needless to say, I didn't quit. I kept at it with the fear of someday having to retake the test looming over me. I finally found out about your class from a friend and reluctantly decided to give it another try. Expecting to be forced to sit though another boring 8 week class, I showed up the first week only to be quite pleasantly surprised. I found your class to be informative, direct and even fun. Your approach to teaching us what we needed to know for the exam was right on. The whole experience was so much better than my previous experience in every way. I left the final class on Tuesday night very positive and even hopeful that I might actually pass the test once and for all and finally be able to move on.

- Anonymous

We send all of our employees to Greater Boston Code Consultants. The instructors, Peter and Ron really impress us with their knowledge of the exam and building code issues. They have over 30 years of experience as Building Inspectors. Their instruction gives my employees a solid code review that can be taken out in the field immediately."

- Mark Truant, President of Marc Truant & Associates, Cambridge