Commercial real estate inspectors and home inspectors do not hold the same qualifications or technical experience.

Whereas you’ll want a residential property inspector for a home, you’ll need a more qualified inspector when it comes to commercial real estate properties. Commercial inspectors asses the property and provide valuable information on its condition, empowering clients to make an educated decision regarding the property being considered for purchase, sell, rent, or renovation. The objective of a commercial inspection is to provide a higher degree of technical knowledge during the real estate inspection process that will help to protect one’s investment venture.

Always choose a commercial inspector for these 3 building types:

• Industrial and manufacturing buildings require a commercial inspector.

These specialized structures are typically large facilities spanning up to hundreds of thousands of square feet with ceiling heights up to 60 feet. These buildings will have a combination of warehouse space and office spaces. Depending on the business operating within the building there may be specialized equipment and systems that require a specialized understanding. For example, “three-phase electric power, heavy ductwork, pressurized air or water lines, high capacity ventilation and exhaust systems, floor drains, storage tanks and cranes, refrigeration, clarifiers, boilers, sloped floors for drainage, and other specialized facility equipment.” Due to the technical nature, size, and complexity of these building types and their systems, it’s recommended to always employ a commercial building inspector when purchasing industrial commercial real estate. (Source)

• Flex buildings require the knowledge and skill of a commercial inspector.

Flex buildings include a diversity of building types. Two key elements of flex buildings are that they have the capacity to gather hundreds of people at a time and/or have multiple uses at one time. These buildings are coined flex buildings because they are flexible in terms of how they can quickly transition for a multitude of industries. Their flexibility comes in the way of drop ceilings and temporary walls. Examples include large church buildings, movie theatres, museums, grocery and retail stores, car lots, strip malls, and large office suites. Flex buildings will have more complicated HVAC and electrical systems that call for more in-depth, technical knowledge. Having a commercial real estate inspector help navigate the inspection process is vital to determining the health of any type of flex building. (Source)

• Commercial restaurants fall within the expertise of a commercial inspector.

  Although commercial restaurants can vary in size and complexity of systems, the crutch of business falls on whether these buildings can pass certain health codes and operate kitchens without interruption. These buildings can be susceptible to mold growth throughout ductwork which can require special lab testing. Commercial kitchens house commercial-grade food refrigeration, commercial dishwashing systems, commercial ovens systems, as well as complex ventilation systems. Because these buildings are designed with safety in mind it’s vital to have the building and all the systems within the building assessed for failures and defects by a commercial building inspector. (Source)

How to find a certified commercial building inspector.

True commercial inspectors will have education and training beyond that of a general home inspector. If an inspection company is advertising their inspectors as commercial building inspectors we recommend requesting proof of their said qualifications. Requirements for commercial inspectors can vary state to state, but always ask to see the inspector’s commercial credentials. It’s vital to protect your commercial real estate venture from the very beginning. Discovering down the road that defects and failures within the property were missed can cost an owner thousands of dollars in repairs.

CCPIA (Commercial Property Inspectors Association) is the most reputable commercial inspection training program in the United States. You can do an address or city-based search for CCPIA inspectors directly from their website.

Focus Building Inspections is one of only three CCPIA Certified Commercial Inspectors in all of Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas. To find out more about how to get a quote for your commercial property inspection navigate to our Request and Inspection Form.