The Essential Checklist for Every Commercial Property Inspector – Backlinkget.com

Purchasing or leasing commercial property is a major investment that requires careful due diligence. A thorough inspection by a qualified Commercial Property Inspector provides essential information to help buyers and tenants make informed decisions.

As a commercial real estate investor, you want assurance that you are acquiring or renting a building that meets your needs and is free of issues that could lead to unexpected repairs or renovations down the road. A professional property inspection serves as your advocate, identifying defects and maintenance needs before you commit to the property.

This article provides an overview of key items a comprehensive commercial property inspection should cover. We’ll walk through the essential checklist commercial property inspectors use to evaluate the condition of commercial buildings and protect the interests of their clients.

Structural Soundness

The structural stability and integrity of the building frame and foundation is paramount. A commercial property inspector will conduct a careful visual examination of the following:

Foundation – Inspect for cracks, bowing, water intrusion or other signs of settling. Pay particular attention to slab edges and basements. Probe any questionable cracks.
Floors – Check for levelness, sagging, holes or deterioration. Bounce floors to check for soft spots that could indicate structural issues.
Walls – Look for cracks, bowing, moisture damage or other defects. Use a level to check for plumb. Push on walls to check for looseness that could signal problems.
Ceilings – Examine for water stains or bowing that could indicate roof leaks or other damage.
Roof structure – Inspect from inside if safe access is available. Look for sagging, cracks or other issues. Evaluate connections of beams, joists and rafters.
Load bearing columns – Check for proper installation and any signs of damage or instability.
Stairs and railings – Confirm steps and landings are secure with railings adequately installed.

Documenting any structural defects with diagrams and photos is essential for the inspection report. Further evaluation by a professional structural engineer may be recommended if significant issues are found.

Building Envelope

The building envelope includes all exterior components such as the roof, walls, doors, windows and sealants. A thorough inspection will examine the following areas:

Roof

Type – Identify material such as asphalt, metal, tile, EPDM membrane. Check for manufacturers labels.
Age – Estimate age based on maintenance records if available or general condition.
Condition – Look for curling, cracks, bubbles, holes, pooling water, debris accumulation and other signs of wear. Watch for sections near the end of life.
Flashing – Check flashing around protrusions, edges, valleys and access points for proper installation and defects.
Penetrations – Examine sealant around vents, skylights and other openings. Look for gaps, wear and leaks.
Parapets and edges – Check for proper sealing and signs of deterioration.
Gutters and downspouts – Confirm proper slope, no pooling water, secure connections and joints.
Chimneys – Check exterior for cracks, missing mortar, leaks.
Signs of leaks – Look for water stains on interior ceilings and walls below the roof.

Exterior walls

Materials – Identify primary materials such as brick, siding, stucco, stone. Note any deficiencies.
Condition – Check for cracks, deterioration, looseness. Tap surface to identify hollow areas.
Joints – Examine caulking for proper sealant. Look for gaps, wear, holes or cracks.
Porches, railings, balconies – Check stability, installation, deterioration.

Windows and doors

Frames – Check for level, plumb and square installation, security, decay or damage.
Joints – Confirm proper caulking. Look for gaps or wear.
Glass – Note any cracked panes. Check insulated glass seal integrity.
Operation – Confirm smooth operation, locking, fit within openings.
Weather-stripping – Check condition and snug fit. Look for gaps, tears or missing sections.
Safety items – Confirm tempered glass as needed. Test window opening size limits and security grates.

Loading docks, garages and gates

Doors and levelers – Test operation and examine condition. Check safety reversing mechanisms.
Seals – Examine seal along top and sides when closed.
Bumpers – Confirm proper installation. Check for damage.
Garage doors and openers – Test operation and safety auto-reverse. Check condition.
Gates – Test operation and inspect for damage. Lubricate as needed.

Utilities

Commercial buildings contain extensive utility systems that require thorough inspection including:

Electrical

Main service and meter – Note size, type and condition. Check grounding.
Subpanels – Check number, location and labeling. Look for corrosion or damage.
Wiring – Spot check visible wiring for proper installation. Look for loose wires, exposed splices or other hazards.
Conduit – Check for proper connections and support. Look for damage.
Outlets – Spot test with outlet tester. Verify grounding, polarity and GFCI protection as required.
Lights – Confirm proper operation. Replace bulbs as needed for testing.
Emergency lighting/exit signs – Verify illumination and operation.

HVAC

Equipment – Identify type, age, capacity and condition. Check for excessive noise, vibration or corrosion.
Thermostats – Confirm proper operation and control of zones.
Distribution – Follow ductwork and pipes to diffusers and returns. Check insulation and leakage.
Filters – Replace filters and indicate type and frequency needed.
Pumps – Check operation. Note leakage, vibration or noise.
Heat exchangers – Examine conditions. Recommend inspection if inaccessible.
Venting – Check proper connections and slope. Look for blockage or leaks.

Plumbing

Main water line and meter – Check material and location of shut-off. Note signs of corrosion or leaks.
Supply pipes – Follow routes through building. Spot check support and insulation. Look for leakage.
Drain, waste and vent pipes – Spot check connections, flow and venting.
Fixtures – Run water, flush toilets and inspect for leaks, flow and operation.
Water heater – Check installation, venting, leaks, corrosion and strap condition.
Fuel piping – Follow gas lines. Recommend pressure test if concerned. Check all connections.
Fire suppression – Identify type, lines, heads and inspection tag currency.

Sewer

Main line – Check access location. Recommend camera scoping if concerned.
Drains – Pour water to check flow. Listen for gurgles that could signal blockage.
Ejector pump – Confirm operation and condition if present.

Appliances

Water heaters – Check operation, venting, leakage, corrosion.
Furnaces – Test heating modes and examine condition. Replace filters.
AC condensers – Check exterior unit operation in cooling modes. Look for damage.
Elevators – Observe operation. Check last inspection date. Recommend qualified inspection.

Interiors

A Commercial Property Inspector will perform a limited review of interior finishes and features, looking for any visible deficiencies including:

Walls and ceilings – Check for water stains, cracks, holes or other damage.
Floors – Examine for levelness, wear and tears or trip hazards.
Doors and windows – Confirm operation and fit within openings.
Cabinets and counters – Check for damage or water stains. Confirm doors and drawers operate properly.
Sinks and faucets – Run water and check for leaks, flow and pressure.
Lighting – Spot check operation of lights and switches.
Outlets – Spot test with outlet tester. Check grounding and GFCI protection.
Vent fans – Confirm operation and ventilation.
Odors – Be alert for any smells indicating mold, pests, or other issues.

Fire and Life Safety

A standard commercial inspection will check basic fire and life safety systems including:

Fire alarms – Look for presence of alarm panels and notification devices. Confirm monitoring company.
Smoke/heat detectors – Check for proper distribution and operation.
Sprinklers – Look for exposed piping and sprinkler heads. Check maintenance tags.
Fire extinguishers – Verify proper locations, types, charges and inspection tags.
Exit signs – Confirm illumination and visibility.
Emergency lighting – Spot check operation.
Egress – Check clear pathways to exits. Confirm proper exit hardware and function.

A qualified fire protection engineer should perform a comprehensive evaluation of all active fire suppression systems. A security expert can assess specialized access control and surveillance systems.

Finding the Right Inspector

Choosing the right inspector is key to getting maximum value from the inspection. Look for:

Experienced commercial inspectors – Residential training alone is insufficient. Commercial systems are far more complex. Verify substantial commercial inspection experience.
Focused expertise – Some firms focus solely on commercial inspections. Others perform them as an add-on service. Specialization is better.
Proper certifications – At minimum, inspectors should carry certifications from InterNACHI or other reputable organizations. Additional engineering certifications are preferable.
Strong references – Thorough reference checks help validate expertise. Ask about specific experience with your building type.

A few hundred dollars spent on inspection could potentially save tens of thousands in unanticipated repairs down the road. An experienced commercial property inspector acts as your advocate to identify issues and maintenance needs proactively. Protect your investment by making a comprehensive inspection an essential part of any commercial property acquisition or lease diligence process.