What exactly is a commercial property inspection? A commercial property inspection is defined as the process of a licensed inspector gathering information during a thorough walk-through tour of the subject commercial property, conducting a personal investigation about the commercial property, and producing a meaningful report on the commercial property’s condition. The licensed inspectors conducting inspections are professionals who are “in training” and have been formally trained in property appraisals and related procedures. “The licensed Commercial Inspection is professional, reliable, and affordable.
One type of commercial property inspection that many people would be more familiar with is a Roof Inspection. These types of inspections look at the major components of the roof of a commercial building like the roof covering (such as tiles, shingles, sheathing, sheath, or felt), the chimney, the attic, the visible insulation, the water heater, the flue, leaks, cracks, & seepage. These types of inspections may also look for areas of the building that may be leaking, including plumbing & sewage system, gas supply lines, & ceiling panels & roof overhead systems. A commercial building inspection of these types of buildings aims to discover any conditions that present a safety risk to the general public or tenants of the building.
Another type of commercial property inspection that most people are more familiar with is a Home Inspection. This type of inspection typically involves inspecting homes that are for sale or rent. Typically, these inspections will be pre-foreclosed and do not involve a lender. If you purchase or sell a home, you must get this type of inspection to determine any defects that may exist before you close on a deal. It is also critical to make repairs or replacements if needed before closing.
A Commercial Property Inspector (CPI) will review and document any defects in a commercial property inspection. In addition to looking for visible defects, the inspector will look for systems, such as air conditioning systems, heating systems, electrical systems, plumbing, drainage, & structural integrity. A certified inspector will inspect all systems but will only focus on those that are visible. Before purchasing a commercial property, it is critical to do background research to determine how experienced the inspector is. Ask for references & certificates, and/or licenses to see how much experience the inspector has in this field.
As a seller, you have the right to request a free written report of your commercial property inspection. However, it is important to understand that the inspector’s report is just a preliminary overview of what was found. The actual report is an objective summary of what was found and the current condition (which may have changed since the initial inspection). So it is important that the information requested can be confirmed by contacting the inspectors directly, by requesting a walk-through Surveyor’s report.
To obtain an accurate Commercial Property Inspection, you must contact several inspectors before selecting one to perform the building inspection. During the process, you should ask each inspector for their cost estimates for repairs & replacements. If you require further assistance, you may wish to enlist the services of a Commercial Property Inspector who has already been professionally trained. With additional information, the inspectors can provide an objective and complete assessment of your property.
For the public to understand the details of a commercial property inspection report, a copy of the report must be filed with the appropriate agencies (such as the Office of the Realtor and Attorney General’s Office). The reason for this requirement is to provide the general public with the complete picture of a problem so that they can make informed decisions about their own investments and/or retain a Realtor. This is also to assist the Attorney General in providing legal advice and preparing a lawsuit loan in the event of a problem.
When requesting a Commercial Property Inspection, the primary goal is to ensure the highest level of building safety. By performing the walk-through inspection, the inspector can ascertain whether or not any material defects may impact the operation of the building. A significant finding could lead to costly changes in the structure of your business. When performed properly, a commercial inspector has the potential to save your business thousands of dollars and countless hours of headache!
