Why is it Important to Have a Commercial Building Inspected?

October 26th, 2020

Commercial building inspections, also referred to as Property Condition Assessments (PCA) are an important step for all parties involved in buying, selling, or refinancing a commercial or industrial building such as, but not limited to:

  • Apartment Buildings
  • Multi-family Buildings
  • Office Buildings
  • Warehouses
  • Multi-use Buildings
  • Strip Malls and Retail Space
  • Motels
  • Industrial Buildings

By choosing to complete a commercial building inspection, financial institutions, commercial realtors and private business individuals have a lot to gain in terms of knowledge and specialized insight to help mitigate risks and make informed decisions about the viability of commercial, industrial or professional building. In this article, the professional building evaluation specialists at QualiTAM made up of Building Engineers, Building Inspectors, Hygienists and Microbiologists offer their insights into the importance of having a building inspection performed on a commercial building.

What Does a Commercial Building Inspection Uncover?

In a nutshell, a commercial building study identifies problems with the building and/or commercial property. A commercial building inspector points out the presence of conspicuous defects and materials, components and equipment that are substandard due to damage or wear-and-tear due to improper use, neglectful maintenance, or any myriad of reasons that are most easily recognized by a professional commercial building inspector. The inspection includes a walk-through survey, interviews and discussions with key personnel associated with the building, and a review of relevant and available documents associated with the building such as the history of repairs, upgrades, and maintenance.

Commercial building inspections by QualiTAM are performed by professional engineers who know just what to look for and how to evaluate the viability of any assets of a commercial property. While each building will present its own evaluation needs, some of the common areas of any commercial building that are thoroughly inspected by a commercial building inspector include:

  • Structure
  • Exterior and interior finish
  • Site components
  • Roof
  • Electrical
  • Heating systems
  • Cooling systems
  • Plumbing

Opting not to have a commercial building inspected prior to investing in it (whether you’re the buyer, a partner, or financier) could result in unexpected repair or replacement costs after you have sealed the deal. It could not be more true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Or in this case, a small investment up front could save you a big expense in the long run.
What is Included in a Commercial Building Inspection Report?
The detailed report provided upon the completion of a commercial building study will provide information along with photographic documentation about the state of the areas listed above, as well as any problems that are unique to the specific building. The inspection report goes further than simply identifying problems, the report also provides a road-map, per se, of necessary repairs and upgrades.

One of the major benefits of having a commercial building inspected prior to buying is the list of recommendations that is provided in the report from the building inspector. This list gives the details of recommended repairs and/or replacements to be done immediately, or in the short, medium or long term along with a cost estimate evaluation so that buyers and lenders can make informed choices about the true value of a commercial property.

Another important feature of a commercial building inspection executed by a professional team like QualiTAM is the fact that all practices and procedures are performed in accordance with ASTM E2018 – 15 Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments and that the end product written is in a format accepted by conventional lenders (banks, insurance companies, etc.).

If you want to learn more about the importance of a commercial building inspection, or if you’re ready to take the next steps in requesting a free quote, reach out to the team at QualiTAM. We are a group of building engineers and certified inspectors who provide expert residential and commercial building inspections in the greater Montreal area.

Also find us on the network of Outremont's home inspectors