Keeping your commercial property in top shape is crucial for any business owner. You, as an entrepreneur, should maintain a safe environment for your employees and customers. This will help you avoid disruptions to your business operations. And protect your investment. 

A thorough commercial building inspection by a qualified professional is a must at least once a year. This will provide an objective assessment of your commercial property’s overall condition. So you can identify any lurking issues early on – before they become costly repairs. 

A commercial building inspection checklist includes checking your workplace for cracks, leaks, settling issues, faulty systems, and whatnot. Whether you own or manage retail stores, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, or other commercial real estate, understanding commercial inspections will help you take care of your property more proactively.

AJF Engineering guides you through the ins and outs of commercial building inspections. Let us take you through the elements covered in a commercial building inspection. And also find out how much does a commercial building inspection cost.

So, let’s get started with the

The Ultimate Commercial Building Inspection Checklist

When it’s time for your annual commercial building inspection, you want to make sure the inspector is thoroughly evaluating all aspects of your property. There are several major systems, exterior and interior components, and documents that a comprehensive inspection will assess. 

You would definitely want to make sure what an inspector is up to when it’s time for your annual commercial building inspection. For this purpose, business owners or managers prefer to go through a commercial building inspection checklist first. 

Let’s take a look at the key elements the inspector will be checking off their list. 

5 Major Systems

The inspector will start off by examining the five major systems of a commercial building. These systems include mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning or ventilation systems. Your hired professional commercial inspectors will ensure these systems are running efficiently and are in intact condition.  

They will check the electrical systems for adequate capacity, damaged wiring, or faulty outlets. For plumbing systems, the inspectors look for leaks, clogs, or signs of corrosion. Your commercial building inspectors will also evaluate your HVAC systems for energy efficiency, temperature regulation, and ventilation. 

During a commercial building inspection, the professionals also look for any repair needs. In case any wear and tear are identified in boilers, furnaces, chillers, ductwork, or vents. They will also assess the functioning of elevators, generators, and fire sprinkler systems in your workplace.

Building’s Exterior

On the exterior, the inspectors will look at the exterior elements, including the roof, facades, loading docks, parking lots, landscaping, and any structural elements. They will identify any visible signs of damage, such as loose shingles, damaged membranes, leaks, cracks, or deterioration. 

Besides the roof, the commercial inspectors will also examine other exterior elements. It includes siding, paint, entrances, windows, and seals for wear and tear. The commercial inspection may also include outside walkways, stairs, handrails, and grounds.

Building’s Interior

Moving inside, the commercial building inspector will examine the doors, windows, and interior finishes. They verify if these interior elements are properly working or are in undamaged condition. They will also evaluate the room sizes, functionality, and compliance with codes. 

Besides that, a commercial building inspection also covers the proper operations of fire alarms, lighting, security, and IT systems. The commercial inspector will also look for evidence of pest infestation, water intrusion, or excess moisture. They’ll also verify proper ventilation, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.

Building’s Documentation

Lastly, your commercial building inspector will review all relevant building documents and plans. This includes certificates of occupancy, fire system records, maintenance logs, insurance policies, evacuation plans, and any past inspection reports. Having all the paperwork in order will ensure that your building remains code-compliant. 

When the inspectors have a commercial building inspection checklist in hand, they can provide you with in-depth insights. This means you will get an all-inclusive commercial inspection report.

How Much Does a Commercial Building Inspection Cost 

The structural integrity and proper operations of your workplace are no joke. That’s where commercial building inspections help you. A commercial building inspection can never cost more than your commercial property. 

Are you ignoring this must-have just because you don’t know how much a commercial building inspection costs? 

Well, the cost can vary quite a bit. Depending on the unique characteristics of your workplace property. So, let’s go through these factors that can affect your commercial building inspection. 

Size and Complexity of the Building

The size and layout complexity of your building will impact the time and materials needed for the inspection. If your commercial building has larger space, multiple floors or rooms, and many systems, inspecting it will take more time. Moreover, if your building has a complex design, it can also add to the costs.  

Accessibility of the Components

Accessibility of the components being inspected is a major factor that can affect your inspection costs. For instance, the difficult-to-reach areas covered under inspection like roof, basement, crawl spaces, mechanical rooms, or equipment. To inspect these areas, the inspectors will have to bring in ladders, lifts, or cameras attached to poles to examine hard-to-access spots visually. This is why accessibility can affect your inspection costs.

Age and Condition of the Building

The age and condition of your building will also determine how much needs to be examined. If your property is older or in disrepair, it will need extensive commercial building inspections. Only a thorough inspection will identify existing or potential issues. On the other hand, comparatively newer buildings that are in good condition need a simple inspection. That’s why age and condition really matter in commercial building inspection costs.

Number of Systems and Components

Your commercial building inspection costs can also depend on the number of systems and components being inspected. This may include HVAC, electrical, plumbing, elevators, security, and fire prevention, adding to your inspection scope. The more elements included, the greater the cost. Some inspections focus only on certain aspects, like the roof or exterior.

To Sum Up

Regular commercial building inspections are very important to proactively maintain your property. And avoid costly repairs or hassles down the road. This blog thoroughly guided you on the elements covered during the commercial building inspection checklist. And what kind of common issues your workplace could be liable to. Apart from this, we expect you may now infer how much does a commercial building inspection cost based on the factors we discussed. Scroll through our blog section to learn more about any inspection.