Commercial Property Inspections: What To Expect

Posted on: Jul 10, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Commercial Property Inspections: What To Expect

Real estate investigation is incomplete in India without proper commercial property inspection. The reports of these investigations hold the key for further real estate evaluation and investment in the commercial property in question in the future. These inspections highlight the problems in the building concerned and identify potential risks, ensuring safe investments in the future. They eventually optimise the returns and minimise the risks in commercial property investments.

Benefits of commercial property inspections

Commercial building inspections are essential from time to time. This aids in identifying the problems in the concerned commercial property and helps them address them quickly and properly. Some of the most significant benefits of commercial property inspections are:

1. Investment protection:

Proper inspection of any commercial building aids in the early detection of damages which can save a fortune in timely repairing, when the damage levels are still low. Regular inspection keeps the building in good shape and even enhances its overall value in the market with time.

2. Safety and compliance:

Commercial building inspection ensures that the property in question has followed all the legal norms. If there are any risks involved, these inspections help in early detection which can eventually lead to taking necessary precautions and actions to ensure proper safety and security, minimising or negating the associated risks.

3. Prevents unnecessary expenses:

If you regularly manage to inspect any particular commercial building, it will highlight all the necessary damages and repairs. These damages cannot be repaired themselves. On the contrary, they increase over time. Once they increase, your repair costs also increase. So, based on commercial property inspection reports, you can undertake the necessary repair work on time and prevent unnecessary financial damage that may occur in the future.

Types of Commercial Property Inspections

A typical commercial property inspection follows a specifically structured checklist to meet the requirements in the Indian case scenario. The key factors of this guide include the following:

1. Building exterior :

Evaluation of the structural integrity of the concerned building, wall, foundation, and roof examination; inspecting exterior components like entryways, windows, and doors, ensuring proper security and effective functionality; proper assessment of the outdoor areas including sideways, parking areas, etc. to ensure proper safety and easy accessibility.

2. Building interior :

It includes reviewing the current condition of the walls, ceilings, and floors, highlighting any cracks, damages, or mould growth; checking all the doors and window locks to ensure smooth functionality and proper security; and identifying any pest infestation signs or other potential issues.

3. Structural components :

This includes detecting any cracks, damages, or moisture intrusion; assessing all the load-bearing components like the beams, columns, and walls to ensure proper functionality; and verifying the stability and security of the guardrails and handrails.

4. Mechanical systems :

This includes critical inspection of HVAC systems, crucial inspection of the entire plumbing systems, ensuring no pressure problems, leaks, or corrosion, and inspecting proper functionality and effectiveness of the entire fire system.

5. Electrical systems :

This involves checking all the electrical panels, wiring systems, outlets, switches, and fixtures and verifying the ground fault circuit.

6. Safety and compliance :

It involves reviewing all the necessary permits, inspection records, and certificates and whether they meet all the necessary legal standards.

7. Environmental factors :

This involves assessing and testing the indoor air quality, detecting any contaminants, identifying all the potential environmental hazards and risks related to natural disasters like floods, and ensuring proper security measures are present.

Key components of commercial property inspections

The essential components of commercial property inspection include:

1. Building systems :

Commercial property inspection includes an extensive examination of all the significant systems present in the building, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.

2. Exterior and interior inspection :

This involves a comprehensive evaluation of all the components used in making the interiors and exteriors of the building concerned for signs of any damage or wear and tear, requiring attention.

3. Documentation review :

This involves critically examining all the permits, certificates, and documents required for safely and legally running a commercial property.

4. Environmental considerations :

Since eco-friendliness is a major concern in the current scenario, commercial property inspection ensures that the concerned building maintains a sustainable approach.

Preparing for commercial property inspections

The primary step in preparing for a commercial property inspection is to visit the building at variable times of the day and night (if possible) before the survey date. You must possess a clear outline of the objectives for the survey. You have to acquire all the necessary documents and other details regarding the property from the individual with the most knowledge. You have to schedule interviews with multiple individuals related to the property and ensure to remain prepared with pre-inspection questionnaires.

Common issues found in commercial property inspections

Some of the common issues that are usually found during commercial building inspection include:

1. Environmental issues

2. Electrical issues

3. Structural issues

4. HVAC system.

Why are regular inspections necessary?

Regular inspection allows you to review the current condition of the building. It highlights all the potential risks, damages, and hazards that require attention. If you take proper action now, the damage costs will be comparatively cheaper. However, keeping them unattended for long will result in greater damage resulting in much higher repair costs.

FAQs

1. Why is it necessary to inspect commercial properties?

Regular monitoring and inspection of commercial properties are essential to identify any sort of structural problems, potential risks, safety hazards, etc. It even ensures well-informed investment ideas and decisions too.

2. What is included in a commercial property inspection?

A typical commercial property inspection includes a critical structural evaluation of the building concerned, an inspection of important systems like HVAC, electrical, etc., and review documentation for a critical assessment of potential liabilities involved.

3. Who conducts a commercial property inspection?

Commercial property is essentially assessed by a licensed commercial building expert inspector with proper knowledge and experience in the type of property being assessed.

4. How long does it take to inspect a commercial property?

The size, structure, and complexity of the building determine the time needed for commercial building inspections. It usually takes a few hours. However, if the structure is too big and complex, it may even consume an entire day.

5. What are the advantages of digital commercial property inspections?

Digital commercial property inspections are comparatively more efficient, and accurate, and the inspection reports are easy to access. It facilitates and ensures a comparatively smoother and faster process.

6. What is the average cost of a commercial property inspection?

The size, structure, location, inspection scope, etc., of the building in question, are some of the significant determinants in deciding the fees of commercial building inspection. It usually ranges from a few thousand to several thousand rupees, depending on the circumstances.

Conclusion

Considering the country's contemporary real estate market scenario, it is crucial to exercise commercial building inspection at regular intervals. This will highlight setbacks and ensure safety and security by addressing the issues punctually. It will aid in well-informed decision-making and ensure stronger risk and more effective risk management.

We must mention in this context that if you own any commercial property or any real asset, it is best to maintain an insurance policy for home. In the case of commercial property, a befitting commercial property insurance is essential. Property insurance safeguards your precious property against any unforeseen damages and hazards.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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