Buying a commercial property is expensive in itself. But other than the sale, you also need to pay for additional services, including building inspection. The data gathered from this report is crucial to help you make an informed decision before buying the property.

A good commercial building inspection reveals the actual condition of a property and the repairs it needs. The inspector generally checks the building from top to bottom to cover all ground and area. Their primary goal is to create a detailed report on the building’s condition and report it to the buyer or the seller. 

Here are four elements that commercial building inspectors check for:

1. The Exterior

The building exterior refers not only to the outer walls but everything else within the property. That includes structures, roofing, parking lots, and landscaping. The inspector generally determines whether the building is structurally sound and will report any repair needed, as well as the costs. 

For the roof’s condition, the inspector may refer to an expert roofing inspector, and for the structure, they may refer to building code inspectors or construction contractors. Overall, the inspector will gather the full report on the building’s exterior health.

2. The Interior

The inspector checks the building’s interior for two primary purposes: to guarantee that the interior spaces meet local building codes and to note any safety-related issues and hazards. The inspector also checks the building’s walls, bathrooms, floors, offices, kitchen spaces, and everything else in the building interior.

The inspection of this area allows the inspector to note any needs for renovations. That is especially true if anything within the building isn’t up to code or if the building itself is old.

3. The Building’s Major Systems

A commercial building typically has five significant systems: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning or ventilation. Inspectors need to make sure that all five systems are in good working order.

If the inspector finds just one system’s condition isn’t up to standard, they detail the need and the cost of repair or replacement on the report. Besides the five primary systems, the inspector also checks for the building’s fire safety systems, alarms, and sprinklers. 

4. The Building’s Documentation

Commercial building inspectors generally review numerous documents during the inspection process. They review building plans, construction permits, appraisals, floor plans, citations, environmental studies, occupancy certificates, maintenance records, fire safety system records, and surveys. 

All records about the building help the inspector determine the actual cost of purchasing the building and the property’s actual value. The overall findings will be compiled into a final report called the property condition report (PCR), featuring recommendations on the best corrective action or a request for follow-up testing by a specialist. Most reports also include a cost estimate for repairs and future replacements.

Conclusion

Overall, the inspector checks the building from roof to foundation, ensuring its health in its entirety. The inspector’s main job is to provide the buyer or the seller with detailed and accurate information about the building’s condition to create an informed decision and go through with the sale without any regrets or surprises.

Ally Property Inspections conducts thorough home inspections in Birmingham, AL. Our trained inspectors are dedicated to providing excellent services so buyers and sellers can proceed with the sale confidently. If you are buying or selling a commercial property in Birmingham, let us be your ally in the process. Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help!