What You Need to Know About Getting a Building Inspection

Whether it’s planning for a new home or starting a business, every piece of real estate must undergo a building inspection.

Before you sign a contract, it’s vital to understand how this process works, and what you should know to be prepared.

Read on for some helpful tips and information regarding building inspections so you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way.

Commercial Building Inspection: Who to Hire

If you’re acquiring a building for business purposes, you’ll need to have a commercial building inspection performed. You can do this by hiring an engineer or architect that can perform a thorough check-up of the building to ensure it’s safe and structurally sound.

Alternatively, you may hire a commercial building inspector who specializes in both residential and commercial structures. However, it’s important to select a company or inspector that specializes in commercial properties when doing a pre-purchase inspection.

If you’re looking at an old building or a large industrial structure, an engineer or architect may be a better option. Call around and ask for references and referrals to help you hire the right person for your specific inspection needs.

What to Look For

The building inspector will be looking at all of the major components of the structure, but there are five that every inspection should cover. This includes the roofing, electrical, structural integrity, plumbing, and HVAC system.

These five main components are crucial for any building to be deemed safe and inhabitable. The inspector will look at each of these systems and confirm that they’re in safe, proper working order.

If the inspector happens to notate any issues, you have a few different options in terms of what can be done next. First, you can ask the seller to make repairs as required as a contingency for the sale or transfer of the property.

Another option is to offer a lower asking price, which would give you the wiggle room to make the repairs yourself. Finally, you can always decide to look for another building if the repairs are too intense or the problems are just too much to handle.

The Report

Once the inspection is complete, your building inspector should give you a comprehensive report. Be sure to go over this report carefully and make note of any issues that the inspector found.

You can use this report to negotiate when buying a building. It’s also good to have it available for future reference just in case you run into any issues with the building later.

If you pay for any type of inspection, you should get a report once it’s complete. If you don’t, make sure you ask the inspector for a copy since this is a vital piece of information.

Inspections Done Right

No matter what type of building you’re looking for, a building inspection is a crucial part of the buying process. Remember to hire the right inspector and get a copy of the report so you can make a wise decision.

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