Commercial Real Estate Inspection Services

How to choose a commercial real estate inspector

Commercial property inspection is key to the commercial buying and selling process. Finding an honest and efficient commercial real estate inspector you can trust to get the job done makes any commercial property inspection run smoothly.

The commercial real estate inspections industry is surprisingly under regulated, and as a result, the way in which you go about choosing commercial real estate inspection services is crucial.

1. Research and review the company before you choose one and interview the potential candidates. Commercial real estate inspection companies abound, and stake a lot on their reputation.

2. Pay attention to credentials that would directly benefit the property to be inspected. A commercial real estate site inspection company with industrial properties expertise might be better equipped to check out an industrial site and catch problems that others inspectors would miss.

3. Get the full facts on what specific areas the inspector is going to check and what type of report they are going to generate.

 

Pick the best commercial real estate inspectors for the job

Interview the inspector before you hire them for their services. The inspector's job is to examine a piece of commercial piece of property and then write a report about the condition of that property and its major systems. You are hiring them for their experience and expertise, so make sure you ask plenty of questions before you agree to hire them.
Try: Find major commercial property inspectors through a directory like BestRealEstateDirectory.com. Then go to a major commercial property inspection company website, or even a commercial property inspection professional organization like the American Society of Home Inspectors' website and look for the page detailing the code of ethics for their inspectors. Print a copy of the code of ethics and turn these key points into the basis for your interview questions.

Learn more about the inspector's commercial property inspections experience

Ask for a portfolio detailing their years of experience in the field, the number, types, and locations of the commercial properties that they have inspected in the past. Also ask to see copies of professional licensing certificates, references and membership in professional associations, and any other qualifications that might lend to their inspection expertise.
Try: Check out what major commercial inspection service companies provide and the stand-out qualifications and lists of services to get a feel for the market and what you can expect for the money like at the McDargh Real Estate Services, Inc. website. Find state by state professional licensing regulations at Kaplan.

Get the whole story on the commercial property inspection report

Find out the manner in which the commercial property inspection report is to be written, and ask to see a sample report as well as a copy of the inspection company's current standards of practice. Some commercial property inspectors use a template or prefilled forms, while others write a sentence style report.
Try: View sample reports of different styles to compare to the sample report given to you by the commercial property inspector. Cleveland Commercial Property Inspection Pros offers a view of two different report styles at their website, as does Accuracy Assured Home Inspections, LLC.

 

• Look for commercial property inspectors with knowledge of city and state commercial building codes and regulations. As a potential buyer, their knowledge definitely gives you an edge in the decision making process.

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