In running a business with any physical structure, they’re a legally required standard. They’re a crucial step in ensuring the safety of your customers, employees, and property. They’re also a cost-effective way to ensure your property is ready for customers.
What Are Inspections?
Inspections are performed by licensed professionals who have years of experience in the field. They can identify problems with your building structure, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as pests that may be damaging your property and endangering your customers.
A building and pest inspection is a thorough visual inspection of the property, performed by a qualified professional. The inspection will include an assessment of each room’s condition and identify any issues that may affect the value or suitability of the home.
There are two kinds of inspections: building and pest. Building inspections focus primarily on the physical structure of the building itself — its walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and other features — while pest inspections focus on insects or rodents that might be living inside or around your property. Both are necessary if you own the property or are planning to acquire/invest in it.
Why Businesses Need Building and Pest Inspections
Inspections are essential for both residential and commercial real estate. They help buyers and sellers assess the condition of their property, determine its value and determine whether it’s worth buying or selling.
But inspections aren’t just for buyers and sellers. Commercial real estate investors need to have their properties inspected before they buy them outright or lease them out to tenants. This is especially true if you’re considering buying a property in a new area where you don’t know the market well.
There are two main reasons why building and pest inspections are important: they save money, and they keep people safe. Because these inspections can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, it may seem like an unnecessary expense at first—but they’re far less expensive than costly renovations due to serious issues. If there’s something wrong with your building, you’ll want to know about it before it becomes a problem for your employees or customers.
Safety is paramount — If there are fire hazards in the premises, there’s no way you can let people work there until they’ve been fixed. If there are electrical issues, they need to be addressed before someone gets hurt or even killed. The same goes for gas leaks and other potential dangers to people working in the building.
Regulations must be met — Most municipalities have strict rules when it comes to what kind of buildings can be constructed and used as commercial premises. Even if your building complies with all local regulations now, it may not in a few years’ time if it hasn’t been maintained properly over time.
Inspections help prevent problems from becoming bigger ones — If you notice something wrong during an inspection but don’t know what it is or how to fix it, the inspector can usually provide some guidance. The same goes if you have any questions about the inspection itself — they’ll be happy to answer them.
Having your own team of inspectors can save you money in two ways: They can identify problems with the building that may require expensive repairs, and they can help you negotiate better terms on rent or purchase price.
If you’re new to commercial real estate investing, an inspection might be your first step toward making smarter decisions about which buildings to buy or lease out to tenants.
When Should You Get Inspections?
The best time to get an inspection is before you buy the building, whether it’s new construction or an old home. An inspection will give you an idea of what you’re in for and help you negotiate with sellers.
If there are issues that need to be addressed before you move in, you can tell them you won’t buy unless they’re fixed. Inspections are important for commercial buildings because they can reveal hidden damage from water leaks or other issues that could affect your bottom line.
Building Inspections:
If you’re starting a new project, you’ll want to get a building inspection before the work begins. This is where we look at the structure of the building, including walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as any infrastructure like electricity or plumbing. A building inspection will help identify any issues that could cost you money down the road.
Pest Inspections:
You should also schedule regular pest inspections throughout the year. Pests can wreak havoc on your business if left unchecked, so it’s important to stay ahead of them at all times.
If you already own a building and don’t want to move, it may be worth getting an inspection done every few years. This can help determine if there are any problems that need attention and point out problems that may not have been obvious at first glance.
What to Expect From Inspection Reports
A good inspection report should include photos of any issues found during the inspection so you can see them for yourself. It should also include recommendations on how to fix those issues and what it would cost to do so.
A detailed summary of findings and recommendations – The report should include a summary of findings and recommendations. It should also include recommendations about how to deal with any issues identified during the inspection process.
An assessment of pest risk – In addition to identifying pests, the inspection will also assess their risk level, so that appropriate steps can be taken to minimise their impact on your business operations.
Recommendations for action – The inspector should provide clear instructions about what action needs to be taken after conducting an inspection so that you know exactly what needs doing next.
Inspections can reveal problems in the structure of the building and its foundation, like concrete spalling (when concrete begins to decay), structural cracks, or corrosion. Building and pest inspections will also point out potential issues with pests such as termites. They can also help you spot problems with electrical wiring and plumbing systems.
The report from an inspection will list any issues found during the inspection, along with recommendations for fixing them. It’s important that you read these reports carefully so you know what repairs are necessary before buying a property.
Home inspectors typically charge based on either the time required or the square footage of the property. The cost of an inspection can vary significantly depending on your location and the specifics of the property being inspected. It’s important to consult with local home inspection professionals to get an accurate estimate tailored to your needs.
What Can You Do After Receiving an Inspection Report
When you buy a new home or commercial space, you want to make sure that it’s in good shape and free of any major problems. A building inspection is your first line of defense against structural damage and other issues that could cause major problems down the road.
But what happens after you receive your inspection report? Here are some steps you can take to keep your property in tip-top shape:
Fix any problems immediately. If there are problems with your home, such as leaks or cracks in walls, get them fixed as soon as possible so they don’t get worse over time or lead to bigger issues down the road. You may want to hire a contractor or an architect to help determine the best way to repair these issues so they don’t come back again later on.
Check for pests in common areas of your building and take action if necessary. If there are pests such as termites or rodents in common areas of your building, they can spread quickly and wreak havoc on both your business and its clients’ needs (as well as their health).
Make sure that these pests are dealt with promptly so they don’t cause any damage while also protecting customers from exposure to harmful bacteria or viruses.
Creating the Best Experience with a New Home Builder
Inspections are a necessity for businesses, not a luxury. A pest inspection is the first step in protecting your business from costly damage and disruption, which can result in loss of productivity, revenue, and customer satisfaction. In fact, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reports that pests cause $8 billion in property damage and $7 billion in lost revenue each year.
The most common pests that affect commercial properties include termites, rodents, ants, and cockroaches. These pests can cause structural damage to buildings through chewing or burrowing into wood or other materials. They also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans through bites or contact with contaminated feces or urine.
Here are some things to keep in mind when working with an inspection company:
1) Ask for references from past customers. Also, ask about experience level with certain kinds of properties (e.g., older houses).
2) Ask about accreditation
3) Make sure the inspector is licensed by your state’s Department of Agriculture or equivalent agency
4) Ask questions before and after the inspection. Inspectors can’t predict every possible problem with a new construction home; they only spot what they see during their visit.
But they usually have plenty of experience in the industry and can point out common issues that should be addressed by the builder or developer before closing on your house. If an inspector sees something unusual during his or her visit, ask about it—he or she may be able to explain what happened and what steps need to be taken next.
5) Be sure that all necessary repairs are made before closing on a property
6) Get an estimate before agreeing on a price.
The cost of an inspection varies greatly from one company to another. Ask for an estimate before committing to an inspection, because you might find out that it’s not worth the money for your needs.
7) Know what kind of report you’ll get.
Inspection reports vary by company and location, but most include descriptions of major issues with the property as well as recommendations for repairs or replacements. Some reports also include photographs showing areas where the damage occurred or is likely to develop over time.
Inspections are Necessary But Not Necessarily Difficult
Building and pest inspections are a necessary part of any real estate purchase. Having a good relationship with your inspector can make all the difference when it comes to building or pest inspections.
They will be much more accommodating and thorough if they know you’re a thoughtful and respectful client that can be relied upon to follow through on work that needs to be done, and they’ll be more likely to give you advice when you need it.
Making the process go smoothly is not just in your best interest; it’s in theirs, too. Need a trusted inspector for your building? Contact us to discuss your inspection needs.