Commercial Inspection And Commercial Inspection Checklist 101

Commercial inspection is basically a home inspection, just bigger, right? No. It is not.

Commercial inspection is very different as compared to a home inspection. Yes, there are many things in common with both inspections including HVAC system, air ducts, plumbing so on and so forth. High level of expertise and experience is required to handle such a time consuming, demanding and physically taxing task.

Approaching commercial property inspection in Oklahoma OK in the same way as the residential inspection is suicide.

Commercial Client

Commercial clients are different from residential clients. For a single commercial project, the clients could consist of businessmen and women who have defined procedures and understanding of the process. The task for inspection also needs to be detailed and documented heavily.

The inspection is going to serve as a bargaining standpoint for both parties and thus an inspection is considered of extreme importance.

Commercial Inspection

A commercial inspector does not and cannot work alone. Just like a general contractor a commercial contractor hires a variety of subcontractors to inspect and evaluate different parts and aspects of the building. 

The subcontractors provide specialized inspections and reporting on a system such as the HVAC, electrical wiring and boards, roofing, physical structure and so no.

All this information is needed before both parties sit on the negotiation table. In every negotiation "Knowledge is power" and in case of negotiations for a commercial building, knowledge and documentation both are power.

Before the process of commercial inspection starts, a preliminary inspection can also be made by the inspector, contractor, sub-contractors, and sometimes even by the maintenance personnel.

Commercial Inspection Checklist

The inspection checklist for a commercial building is extensive. In this blog, I will try to keep it as simple as possible.

The general inspection checklist includes

• Site Characteristics (This includes the paving, utilities and also landscaping)

• Building Envelope And Framing Of The Structure

• Roof Surface Area

• Plumbing

• Heating

• Electrical Systems

• Mechanical Systems

• Ventilation System

• Air Conditioning System

• Vertical Transportation System

• Interior Elements

• Life Safety Elements

• Fire Protection Elements

• Document Review

• Probable Costs 

• And Finally Recommendations

This actually doesn’t conclude the list of general inspection checklist but these are the major factor to check in the list.

Now, let us move on to the additional services checklist.

Additional Services Checklist

The additional services checklist includes

• Americans With Disabilities Act Assessment (ADA)

• Wood destroying organisms

• Lead-Based Paint

• Fire Safety

• Fenestration

• Phase One Of Environmental Site Assessment

• Sewage And Treatment System Inspection

• Asbestos Inspection

• IAQ Assessment

• Radon Inspection

Once again there are a few more inspections in addition to these but we will skip them for now and focus only on the major ones. 

Special Consultation - TEAM Approach

Depending on the property factors and the needs of the clients a special inspection might also be needed. The special inspection is called the TEAM approach. It requires an inspection from a number of specialists from their specific areas and industries.

For example when it comes to heating and air inspection, Oklahoma City OK an HVAC specialist would be called in for just that.

 These professionals include:

• Structural Engineers 

• HVAC Specialists

• Environmental Specialists

• Electrical Specialist

• Elevator Specialists

• Roofing Experts 

• Paving Experts 

• Fire Protection Specialists

• Wood-Destroying Organisms’ Experts

One thing which is a fact is that a special consultation might be a little costly but considering the amount which is at stake the price paid for the TEAM approach is nothing. The price is like a drop of water in a bathtub.

Well, with this our 101 lecture on commercial inspection has come to an end. Now you know the basics of commercial inspection, checklists, and its aspects.