What to Expect From Commercial Property Inspections?

Before agreeing, whether you’re buying, selling, renting, or leasing a commercial space, having the building inspected by a licensed property inspector will assist you in identifying any significant issues with it. Without the skilled eye and informed assessment of a certified property inspector, many serious problems could quickly go unnoticed.

The article discusses commercial inspections in San Diego, CA, and what you can expect from them. The commercial building inspector will examine the property for damage or potential issues. You can anticipate them to look at the following during the inspection.

What is A Commercial Property Inspection?

Commercial property inspections provide a general examination of all significant systems and elements in the facility, including the HVAC, structural, plumbing, exterior, and interior, much like a complete home inspection does. Buildings, including apartment buildings, rental properties, restaurants, warehouses, low-rise office buildings, motels, churches, and resorts, are all eligible for light commercial inspections.

Who performs a commercial building inspection?

Asset managers can use a commercial building inspector in several ways. An architect or engineer is the first choice. These people have a range of experience in the building trades, facility management, maintenance, and related fields. However, engineers and architects may demand higher costs because of their expertise and specialized knowledge.

Employing a commercial building inspector is a second choice. Many have both home and commercial inspection specialties but use caution. A commercial inspection is not the same as one for a home. Employing a service that specializes in commercial inspections and is aware that commercial properties are a company asset, a cost of doing business, and a source of money is a good option.

Things a Commercial Building Inspector Will Check

A commercial property purchase is not only costly but also requires a great deal of research and consideration before a decision can be made. Investors, portfolio lenders, insurance lenders, and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) lenders regularly seek property condition assessments (PCAs) to learn about a property or prepare for a purchase agreement.
A commercial inspector will concentrate on the following four factors during the inspection.

The Building’s Five Major Systems

Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning/ventilation are the five essential systems that commercial buildings often include. Commercial inspectors examine the condition of these systems in San Diego. The inspector consists of a repair (or replacement) cost estimate in the report if a system is deficient. Sprinkler systems, fire safety systems, and building alarms are also examined.

The Building’s Interior

This section of the inspection checks for safety-related risks and hazards and ensures that interior areas adhere to local building codes. The inspector examines the building’s walls, floors, restrooms, offices, kitchen, and other comparable sections. This part of the inspection identifies any internal renovations that may be required.

The Building’s Exterior

The exterior of a building consists of more than just its outer walls; it may also have parking lots, other buildings, landscaping, and roofs. The physical soundness of the property is assessed, and the inspector highlights any potentially expensive repairs. To thoroughly examine the external condition of a structure, inspectors may rely on advice from building contractors, roofing specialists, building code inspectors, or other external professionals.

The Building’s Documentation

Commercial building inspectors in San Diego examine numerous papers throughout the inspection process. They might look into appraisals, building plans, citations, occupancy certificates, building permits, environmental studies, evacuation plans, fire safety system records, floor plans, maintenance logs, and surveys. These documents show the exact cost of building ownership and assist the investor in estimating the property’s value.

A final Property Condition Report (PCR) will include an inspector’s findings. It contains written documentation of observations along with pictures for explanation. It also consists of any advice the inspector may have on carrying out corrective measures or asking for professional follow-up testing. There will typically be an estimated cost of repairs and future replacements.

What is the commercial building inspection’s goal?

ROI and residual value are key factors in commercial real estate acquisitions. Two items are on the minds of portfolio managers: “How much will this cost?” and “What would my return on investment be?”
An inspection is necessary for this situation. It displays the remaining lives of the building’s five main systems: roofing, electrical, plumbing, structural integrity, Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC).
Real estate management companies want to know whether replacing the roof, the HVAC system, or the electrical components is necessary due to a change in the building’s usage shortly. A building audit or inspection assists these inquiries. The final report gives the portfolio firm recommendations regarding whether or not purchasing the property is worthwhile.

What Are The Proceedings of A Commercial Inspection?

The inspector requests and examines records and papers regarding the property (i.e., lease agreements, Certificates of Occupancy, repair invoices, and maintenance records). The inspector will also conduct interviews with those knowledgeable about the state of the building.
The walk-through survey, documents obtained, interview findings, and any other third-party reports ordered as part of the inspection are all briefly described in the inspection report. The central systems and components of the building are listed in this report, along with an assessment of their functionality and physical state. These conclusions highlight the property’s advantages and potential drawbacks, such as concerns with postponed upkeep.

Investing in a commercial facility is costly. A portfolio manager often orders a building inspection and report before purchasing since it gives them crucial knowledge about the facility’s condition that they need to make an informed choice.
A house buyer may rest easy knowing that there won’t be any costly surprises later on when they hire a property inspector to assess their home. When it comes to commercial properties, this is also true. Commercial buyers and sellers can relax by thoroughly inspecting the area and surroundings. A thorough commercial building inspection reveals a facility’s actual state and the associated repair expenses.