Trusted Commercial Inspections in Connecticut

Typically pricing is based on the number of building's, size, age, type usage, and the needs of the client. From there you can build the scope of the inspection and price it from that. This approach is regarded as being the simplest and the most common method used for commercial building inspections.

Costs for office space, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and retail, versus apartments, condominiums, and other multi family types of structures will vary. Sticking between 10 cents and 30 cents per square foot is a fair rule of thumb for commercial inspection rates depending on how involved you want the inspection to be and the needs for specialists. Then add for other needs you might have such as Environmental or WDI etc. Also note some pricing variation may occur between Massachusetts and Connecticut or Boston versus Hartford etc.

Yes, if the lender requires it - it should be treated as if it is a new construction. Inspectors must first examine all building-related paperwork, including the building permit that was received prior to the start of construction. Prior to the start of construction, this kind of permission is required, and it is frequently sought anytime building renovations and remodels take place.

It is always a good idea to have an inspection done on new construction to prevent as there are so many moving parts during construction that sometimes things get missed. Don’t rely on the town inspector to pick everything up, not that they are not good, only 60% of the construction is in their jurisdiction. What about the other 40%?

Purchasing a commercial building is a big investment. A portfolio manager or lending instatution often requires/requests a building inspection and report before making a purchase since it gives them crucial knowledge about the facility's condition that they need to make an informed choice. If you are changing the use of a building you may need to better understand what is there to know the magnitude of the work being done and costs associated with those changes and whether you can even make those changes or not.

Buildings do not always come as advertised. The job of the seller and the people they hire is to sell the building. That can look very different then someone who is buying a building. We always look at the building through rose colored glasses which helps us see that the building fits all your needs, wants and uses. So it's important to get that unbiased evaluation to paint a picture of what is truly there and what we are buying.

Yes! More and more companies are having professional inspections done on a space prior to leasing. Now, this depends on what the leasing terms are. If the lessee is responsible for any of the structural, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, or electric then the answer should be yes, do an inspection to inform the lessee what the current condition is for 2 reasons:

1. When the lease is up to prove you have kept the condition of the area or building in reasonable condition based on the terms of the lease.
2. To have repairs made, prior to initiating the lease, on any systems or components that are not in proper working order.

An inspection of a commercial building is intended to determine the property's existing state and sometimes the cost associated with any necessary repairs.

A commercial building inspection can include any of the following key accessible components:

• Site attributes including pavement, utilities, and landscaping drainage
• Exterior envelope
• Roofing system and related flashings and water drainage
• A structural frame's state
• Stairways, walkways, and safety glazing
• HVAC and related components
• Plumbing
• Main Electrical service

There are also some more components that some buildings require. For instance, certain establishments would need to have their sewage pipes scoped, a wood destroying insect inspection, water testing, mold and environmental testing, and elevators evaluated or inspected.

A cost analysis for the repair or replacement of the systems can be done and put into a list or spreadsheet format to help you understand the full impact of the repairs that need to be done.

A commercial inspection can be done in 2 ways:

1. First is what is called a Property Condition Assessment (PCA). There is a specific standard to follow with a PCA. You will know you need a PCA because the lender will identify that you need one.
2. The second is a commercial building inspection. The main difference between the two types is the PCA requires a cost spreadsheet and documents from the owner go to the inspector. This is more costly and usually is not necessary for buildings smaller than 100,000 square feet.

There are 3 categories of commercial inspectors:

1. Home inspectors that can do smaller commercial wood framed buildings in a pinch but may not be commercial inspectors
2. Certified Commercial building inspector team that is trained in all facets of commercial/industrial building inspections
3. Engineers

It has been believed that engineers are better, therefore, many people pay the higher costs for an engineering firm to inspect their building. Most engineers send non-engineer technicians out to do the field work as certified inspectors take the same classes as the engineers from a technical prospective.

To help you with choosing a qualified inspector make sure they are certified with CCPIA or ANSI. This helps to ensure that your inspector is qualified to handle your commercial building inspection.