A Commercial Inspection is an inspection of the whole building on its interior and its exterior, from the roof to the foundation, and includes inspections of all surfaces, structures, and equipment within a commercial property.

This includes

The walkthrough or site visits:

The walkthrough portion identifies needed maintenance items, physical deficiencies, and long term maintenance requirements. It involves the visual examination of many elements including mechanical, air handling, plumbing and electrical systems, building shell and structural members, and exterior site improvements and systems.

Heating equipment is inspected by running the system through a normal cycle. Carbon monoxide testing of the heating equipment is included inspection with every inspection. The air distribution ducts are also inspected where accessible in the ceiling voids.

The electrical distribution panels are inspected by the removal of the covers to inspect the wiring and the breakers. The main entry cables and transformers are inspected for visual signs of problems. The wiring feeds are inspected where visible in the ceiling plenums and in unfinished basements and or utility areas.

The plumbing systems are inspected for general function and leaks. The supply and waste lines are inspected visually where accessible. Water heaters are inspected for present leaks and probable life expectancy. Where there are fire suppression systems they are normally visually reviewed and the main water supply for them is visibly inspected looking for the most recent municipal inspection tags.

The overall structure is inspected including but not limited to the roof, exterior walls, windows and doors, paved surfaces, interior ceilings, walls, floors, ceiling plenum (void above the drop ceilings where so equipped) and or the attic are inspected.

Interviews with key site personnel:

Interviews with key personnel (when permissible) can provide crucial information regarding the age, condition, and maintenance history of significant building and property components such as roofs, exterior, and mechanical systems.

Examination of documents:

Document reviews can help identify the age of the building and site improvements, repairs or upgrades to the improvements, building or fire code violations, physical deficiencies, and any efforts to improve, investigate or re-mediate deficiencies.  Document reviews are important to validate information gathered from interviews and confirm observations made during the site visit.

While all three components are important to provide clients with objective and critical information about the subject property, interviews and document reviews are often omitted for various reasons including time constraints, limited cooperation from key personnel, and poor record keeping practices.  As such, the site visit becomes the prime component for accurate and detailed observations.  The inspector’s experience, observation, and reporting skills become key to discovering important issues that may be present.

Property Condition Report:

We will gather a significant amount of data during the inspection, then analyze and transcribe that data into a Property Condition Report or “PCR”. The PCR features immediate repair and deferred maintenance items, along with recommendations for action. The PCR highlights items requiring immediate action to correct existing or potential unsafe conditions, building code or fire code violations, or conditions that may result in critical failure or significant costs if left uncorrected.

Approved Home Inspections, Inc. is knowledgeable and skilled in commercial property inspections. On the occasion we may find that our particular knowledge or skill level is just not enough for the subject property or requested services, we maintain relationships with a network of expert specialists in every building system to assure our clients achieve their goals in gathering the information required. When specialists are utilized, the specialist reports are added into the Property Condition Report.