Commercial Property Inspections

▼ Why should I have a commercial property inspected before purchasing?

A commercial inspection provides an objective evaluation of the property's condition before you make a large investment. Identifying deferred maintenance, aging building systems, and potential repair concerns can help you better understand future obligations, plan for anticipated expenses, and make informed real estate decisions.​

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▼ Do you follow an inspection standard?

Yes. Commercial property inspections are performed in accordance with the CCPIA Standards of Practice unless a different scope or standard is agreed upon in advance. Every inspection is customized to the property's characteristics and the client's objectives while remaining within the agreed scope of work.

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▼ What does a commercial property inspection include?

Every inspection is tailored to the agreed-upon scope of work. Depending on the property and your objectives, inspections may include structural components, roofing, exterior systems, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, interior spaces, parking areas, site conditions, and other accessible building systems. Based on our initial conversation, we can also recommend additional services or specialized evaluations when appropriate.

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▼ Will the inspection include an in-depth evaluation of every system?

No. A commercial inspection is performed in accordance with the CCPIA Standards of Practice and is a comprehensive visual evaluation of the property's readily accessible systems and components. While it provides valuable information about the building's overall condition, it is not intended to be an engineering study or destructive examination. If the inspection identifies conditions that warrant additional evaluation, we can recommend qualified specialists to further assess specific systems.

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▼ Can an inspection help with purchase negotiations?

Yes. Inspection findings often identify significant deficiencies, deferred maintenance, or aging building systems that may influence the property's value. While we do not provide real estate or legal advice, the information gathered during the inspection can support discussions regarding repairs, purchase price adjustments, credits, or other transaction terms. We often refer to the inspection as your second opportunity to negotiate before closing.

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▼ Do you inspect occupied buildings?

Yes. We routinely inspect both occupied and vacant commercial properties while working to minimize disruption to tenants and business operations.

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▼ What types of commercial properties do you inspect?

We inspect a wide variety of commercial and institutional properties, including office buildings, retail centers, restaurants, warehouses, industrial facilities, apartment and multi-family buildings, mixed-use properties, churches, schools, nonprofit facilities, and more.

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▼ Do you use thermal imaging?

Yes. When appropriate for the inspection scope, thermal imaging is used to help identify conditions that may not be visible during a standard visual inspection. It can assist in evaluating building assemblies, identifying moisture intrusion, detecting abnormal thermal patterns within electrical systems, and evaluating heating and cooling performance.

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▼ Are there limits to thermal imaging?

Yes. Thermal imaging requires an adequate temperature difference between the interior and exterior of a building to produce meaningful results. In many situations, a temperature difference of approximately 15°F or greater is desirable. Buildings without active utilities or those with doors and windows left open may not provide conditions suitable for effective thermal imaging.

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▼ Do you use a drone?

Yes. As an FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot, I use drones when appropriate to safely evaluate roofs, building exteriors, and other areas that may be difficult, unsafe, or impractical to access by conventional means. Every inspection is performed using the method best suited to the property and conditions. Drone use may be limited by weather conditions, including rain, high winds, or other factors that affect safe flight operations. When a drone cannot be used, we'll discuss alternative inspection methods whenever feasible.

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▼ How long does a commercial inspection take?

Inspection times vary depending on the property's size, complexity, occupancy, age, condition, and agreed-upon scope of work. We'll discuss these factors during the proposal process so the inspection scope, schedule, and expectations are clear before the inspection begins.

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▼ How quickly can inspections be scheduled?

We maintain flexibility in our schedule to accommodate most inspection requests.

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▼ How fast can I get the inspection report?

Report delivery timelines are discussed during the proposal process. Our goal is to provide a thorough, accurate, and well-documented report without unnecessary delays.

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▼ What happens if significant concerns are found during the inspection?

Inspection findings don't necessarily mean you should avoid buying the property. Instead, they provide information to help you make informed decisions. Depending on the findings, clients may choose to negotiate repairs, request additional evaluations by specialists, adjust future maintenance budgets, or simply proceed with a clear understanding of the property's condition. That's why we often refer to the inspection as your second opportunity to negotiate before closing.