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What to Expect from a Commercial Building Inspection


When looking to sell or invest in a commercial property, the first step in ensuring your transaction goes smoothly is to dismiss any possible faults and damages that can cause you troubles in the foreseeable future. The most efficient way to do this is to hire a San Diego commercial inspection service.

A commercial property inspection is beneficial for many reasons, including providing you with the proper set of tools to negotiate its price. It’s a standardized evaluation procedure in which an inspector examines the property’s components for any visible signs of trouble. Read on to learn more about what your inspector will be looking for.

What do commercial building inspectors look for?

The exact scope of a building inspection is determined by the type of property being sold or purchased. You can opt for either a standard commercial inspection, or you can ask for a customized one that is designed to tend to any particular issues on the property in question. As part of a standard examination, your building inspector will investigate:

  • Site characteristics (paving, landscaping, utilities)
  • Structural frame and building envelope (exterior, basement, foundation, attic, etc.)
  • Roof surface areas
  • Type and condition of HVAC equipment
  • Plumbing and electrical systems
  • Vertical transportation
  • Life safety/fire protection
  • Interior elements

A professional inspector is also able to provide you with estimates of probable costs of repairs and give you recommendations on how to address them. 

What will fail a building inspection?

The state of a property may vary depending on factors such as age and regularity of maintenance. While it’s unrealistic to expect a perfect report (even in brand new buildings) there are things that are cause for major concern and may lead up to a failing grade. Some of the things that might fail a building inspection are:

  • Roof damage: Inspectors look for signs of sagging rooflines, water damage, cracked tiles, and general deterioration. If the roof of a property is in a state of such disrepair that it is rated unsafe, it could fail a building inspection. 
  • Deterioration of the building’s structure: If a building hasn’t been properly maintained, deterioration of its structure is bound to happen over the course of time. This type of damage is repairable to an extent, but the problem becomes alarming when the decay has spread to such proportions that the building is left with little support. A building that’s structurally compromised is likely to fail an inspection.
  • Major water penetration in brickwork: When water penetrates a building’s masonry and the problem is not fixed promptly, the longevity of a property’s structure is in question. Apart from that, moisture can provide a breeding ground for mold or termites, which add up to an overall unsatisfactory inspection result.
  • Structural movement: Some amount of movement in houses and buildings occurs on a regular basis due to natural changes in the environment, movements in the soil, or even the ingrowth of tree roots into the supporting elements of the property. An inspector will look for indicators of damage and, if they determine the safety of the structure is at risk, a building is expected to fail the inspection.

Where in San Diego can I get a reliable commercial inspection service?

If you are looking to purchase or sell a property in Point Loma or anywhere else in the vicinity, and you’re committed to making an informed decision, look no further than The Inspectors Company.

Our InterNACHI certified inspectors can provide you with detail-oriented pre-listing buyers and sellers inspections as well as a personalised approach that guarantees to meet all your needs.

Give us a call today!

Commercial Building Inspections: What Makes Them Essential


Commercial-type buildings are investments of such magnitude that they require to be handled with special attention. So, understandably, whether you are buying or selling a commercial property, having the proper knowledge about the state of the building is key to a successful transaction. 

A building inspection usually involves a visual evaluation of the property, aiming to uncover any potential faults that can cause safety concerns or future costly repairs on the property.

Scheduling a professional commercial inspection in San Diego is the safest way to protect your interests in these situations and avoid unpleasant surprises in the days to come. If you’re wondering whether this procedure is absolutely necessary and you wish to fully understand the importance of it, read on for more details.

Is a building inspection necessary?

There are many ways an initially attractive deal can turn out to be the exact opposite. To the untrained eye, many structural flaws and defects of a building can go unnoticed. 

This can have major consequences in terms of finance, as the structure may require extensive alterations and repairs that will cost you both money and time. Even more importantly, overlooked flaws can pose serious safety hazards that are not to be taken lightly.

This is where an expert inspection becomes absolutely imperative. A qualified inspector will know exactly what to look for and will submit the property to a standardized step-by-step inspection process that will ensure you get a full picture of what you’re dealing with before sealing the deal.

Read on to learn more about the advantages of building inspections. 

Why are building inspections important?

Commercial real estate inspections can help both owners and buyers get a good grasp of work and maintenance a building requires. Some of the benefits of an expert building inspection include:

  • Getting all the vital information: A thorough inspection can give you a full insight into the overall shape of the property, including whether the property has been correctly inspected during the construction process itself. It can also reveal underlying issues such as abandoned live wire, poor plumbing, hidden electrical boxes, and so on. All this information is crucial in determining the price of the object, as well as its general safety.
  • Facilitating the negotiation process: The aftermath of an inspection will equip you with the information needed to negotiate the property’s price. As previously mentioned, being aware of any underlying issues within the building can help you predict the extent of future investments into reparation and maintenance, as well as give you a better understanding of the property’s worth at the time of the inspection.
  • Saving you from troubles in the long run: Not detecting the issues on time can affect your budget in more than one way. Whether it is engaging in costly repairs or dealing with repeated functioning obstructions to your business operations, it goes without saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Where can I schedule a trustworthy commercial inspection in San Diego?

If you’re looking to get a thorough specialist report by an InterNACHI certified building inspector, you’re in the right place. At The Inspectors Company, we provide our customers with expert risk and cost assessments that guarantee to arm commercial building buyers and sellers with the right knowledge they need to make informed decisions. 

We offer inspection services to a range of commercial objects, such as apartment complexes, mixed-use buildings, strip malls, restaurants, storage facilities, motels, office buildings, retail stores and more.

So, if you’ve set your eyes on a property in Mira Mesa or anywhere else in the city, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!