Inspections are one of the most important aspects to pay attention to during building maintenance, especially for commercial buildings. No matter the age of the property, minor issues can come up at any time, and if not detected, can become major ones. Large issues can affect the functionality of a building, and can make selling a property into a hassle. An effective way to avoid these situations is to ensure that building inspections are completed regularly, and especially before a sale.
Maintain Awareness of Potential Issues
While commercial building inspections will often uncover issues, it’s good to keep an eye out for problems before an inspection. If you know an inspection is scheduled, do some extra building maintenance ahead of time. Taking care of small issues before a commercial inspection will keep them from becoming larger issues that will end up marked on your report. Some good things to check ahead of time include:
Building Areas
- Roof Surface Areas
- Interior Elements
- Elevators
- Paved Surfaces Areas
Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Heating / Cooling Systems
- Plumbing Systems
- Sewage Systems
In addition, ensure that all necessary documents are available, and double check that your building complies with applicable building codes, such as environmental and ADA requirements.
Meeting Your Inspector
Before settling on an inspector, consider conducting an informal interview with them ahead of time. The laws governing professional building inspectors differ from state to state. Because of this, there are several questions you should consider asking so that you know exactly what you will be getting during your building inspection. If possible, ask about the inspector’s certifications, how much experience they have working on similar projects, what services are included in the inspection, and what they charge for the cost of the inspection. Learning this information up front does’t necessarily mean you will end up looking for a new inspector. It just helps prepare you for what to expect during your inspection, preventing unwelcome surprises that can slow the process.
The Day of the Inspection
On the day of the inspection, there are a few things you can do to make the process move smoothly before the inspection begins. If you are aware of issues that will come up during the inspection, such as issues that you have not had a chance to repair ahead of time, make sure to provide the inspector with a list of these issues. They will still inspect the problem areas or systems, but they will know some specific things to look for. In addition, make sure that areas to be inspected are cleared of equipment and vehicles that might be blocking access. Having these tasks completed ahead of time can make the building inspection process go by faster.
For more information on preparing for a commercial building inspection, or to speak to a professional about building maintenance, contact T.F. Harper & Associates LP, located in Austin, TX.
