Having a professional commercial building inspection is essential to ensure that you are getting off to a great start with your business. After all, this is a huge investment with ranges between $16 to $20 for the most basic commercial building.
But what exactly will they be inspecting? Here are the 5 big things that will be on your building inspection checklist!
1. Five Major Systems
Five significant systems will be checked during your building inspection. The goal of the assessment is to determine ROI (return on investment) and value. Checking these five systems will reveal their life span and give you a better idea of what costs you may be looking at in the future.
- Structural integrity
- Roofing
- Electrical
- HVAC
- Plumbing
Included in their report will likely be an estimate of repairs needed. They may also recommend what needs to be replaced entirely.
2. Interior
Your inspector will check the interior of the building to make sure that it meets all building codes. A few of the particular areas of interest include floors, walls, kitchens, offices, bathrooms, and more.
They will make a note of any safety risks or hazards. This is incredibly important when it comes to workplace safety.
3. Exterior
Inspections will reveal any issues with the exterior and area surrounding your building. This includes parking lots, landscaping, walkways, exterior walls, commercial doors, structures, and roofing.
A roofing expert may be needed to evaluate the quality of the roof fully. Other experts may be called in as well to get the most accurate review. If there are any repairs required, they will be recommended and estimated.
Roofing can be an expensive area to repair and replace. There are lots of areas that can cost a pretty penny that you’ll want to know about upfront before committing. That’s why you must get a building inspection.
4. Documentation
An inspector will review several documents associated with the property. These documents allow them to get even more insight into the building and its integrity. They will also use these to highlight any additional costs that may apply to the maintenance of the property.
These documents might include:
- Building plans
- Certificates of occupancy
- Permits
- Environmental studies
- Appraisals
- Citations
- Fire safety records
- Evacuation plans
- Maintenance records
- Floor plans
5. Additional Services
Beyond the most basic services, there are additional options to ensure that you are getting the most out of your inspection opportunities. These options may be helpful for certain buildings if there are specific concerns or features:
- Fire safety inspections
- Mold sampling
- Energy star rating
- Termite inspection
- Alarm inspection
- Random gas testing
- Elevator inspections
- Engineering specialist or certification
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) assessment
Starting Right With a Building Inspection Checklist
No matter what size or type of commercial property you are acquiring, a building inspection is necessary. With the help of these professionals, you are getting off to the best start with no hidden surprises.
This building inspection checklist will help you understand what they are looking for from the start!
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