By Antoine Thompson · President and Commercial Inspector
Start with your contract deadline
Confirm your due diligence deadline with your broker or attorney. Arrange the building inspection early enough to review findings, obtain specialist evaluations, and discuss your options before that deadline. The inspection is one part of commercial real estate due diligence, not a substitute for legal, financial, or environmental review.
Request building records
- Roof installation records, warranties, leak history, and repair invoices
- HVAC equipment inventory, service records, and replacement history
- Parking lot paving, drainage, resurfacing, and repair records
- Prior inspection reports and records of completed repairs
- Available plans, permits, and maintenance contracts for your advisers to review
Arrange safe access
- Confirm access to tenant spaces, common areas, mechanical rooms, and electrical equipment
- Coordinate safe roof access with the owner or property manager
- Agree on unit or tenant-space sampling in writing
- Identify inaccessible areas and decide whether a return visit is needed
Review the big three
- Roof: visible covering, flashing, penetrations, drainage, and evidence of leaks
- Parking lot and paving: cracking, potholes, settlement, drainage, and walking surfaces
- HVAC: visible equipment condition, available age information, service history, and signs needing specialist evaluation
Turn findings into decisions
- Separate immediate concerns from near-term repairs and items to monitor
- Obtain written estimates from qualified contractors; an inspection is not a repair quote
- Ask your lender what report scope or standard it requires
- Discuss environmental due diligence with an environmental professional
- Review title, zoning, leases, insurance, and contract options with the appropriate advisers
Scope note: Our inspections are visual, non-invasive assessments of readily accessible systems and components. They do not replace the advice of licensed engineers, attorneys, environmental consultants, or other specialists where needed.