What To Expect During A Commercial Building Inspection

Although the state of Massachusetts doesn’t mandate building and home inspections, it would be wise to seek out a professional commercial building inspection company in the Boston area. Many industrial and commercial buildings in the South Shore area are just as old as the residential homes and are just as susceptible to structural issues.

What Commercial Building Inspectors Assess

The goal of a commercial building inspection is to give potential buyers a better idea of what type of physical condition the property is in. Building inspections should always be made before the purchase of said building as it provides appropriate due diligence. This inspection can oftentimes make or break a purchasing deal and our commercial Realtors always recommend an inspection.

After contacting a reputable commercial building inspector (Quinn & Associates can provide you with a list of resources to call), they will arrive on site at the scheduled time and will assess the following:

• Roof. Inspectors will look for any damaged, misplaced, or poorly installed roof coverings, flashings, or parapets. They will also check for water penetrations and proper drainage.
• Exterior. No matter what type of material the exterior of the building is made of, the inspector will check for any weaknesses. Cladding, flashings, doors, windows, stairs, decks, vinyl or brick siding and balconies will all be assessed.
• Structure. As the majority of eastern Massachusetts was built up on low-lying mashlands, it can be quite common to find crumbling or sinking foundations. Commercial building inspectors will be sure to check the carrying beams, load-bearing columns, framing and more.
• Electrical. Outdated electrical systems can cause power outages, shorted circuits, and even fires. As a result, all disconnects, electrical panels and switch plates, fuses, breakers, outlets and conductors will be thoroughly checked.
• Plumbing. The last thing you want is to have purchased a building with poor plumbing. Although many commercial buildings have upgraded from lead plumbing to copper or PVC piping, this doesn’t mean they were installed correctly. Rest assured that you can expect the water supply, hot water, bathrooms, fixtures and drainage to be checked.
• HVAC. Commercial and industrial buildings require HVAC units to work double time to ensure you are meeting your production needs and the needs of your staff. All rooftop units, central plants, boilers, furnaces, vents and air conditioning will be tested.
• Interior. All may seem fine on the exterior of a building, but if there are bold and mildew issues, poor ventilation, water stains and other issues then you should look to either get these fixed or look for other options. Property inspectors will check windows, insulation, stairs, walls, ceilings and doors.
• Life & Safety. The state of Massachusetts requires accessible life and safety systems throughout commercial and industrial buildings. As a result, the commercial building inspections will always include an assessment of fire suppression systems, fire alarms, extinguishers, and sprinklers.
• ADA. They Americans with Disability Act requires commercial buildings to have a disabilities-friendly building and grounds. Details such as parking, sidewalks, entry, signage and restrooms will all be inspected.
• Site Work. Finally, an overall site work assessment must be made. During this time, commercial building inspectors will check the surrounding drainage, vegetation, roads and driveways, ponds, retaining walls and topography of the land.

When all is said and done, the commercial building inspector will present to you an official report of their findings, conclusions and suggestions for improving any issues. It is at this time you can talk to our commercial Realtors to discuss whether or not you would like to move forward with the purchase of the particular property and whether or not you should bid lower than the asking price.

Remember that Quinn & Associates is here to help you with the buying process and want to make sure you are comfortable and excited about the property you are about to purchase. Check out our list of available properties online or contact us to inquire about a specific listing.