Frequently Asked Questions

A Commercial Property Inspection provides a detailed, on-site evaluation focused primarily on a building's present physical condition and core systems. The primary aim is to uncover existing safety hazards, system deficiencies, and immediate repair needs, ensuring the building is safe and functional at the time of the inspection. We adhere to established industry standards and document current defects or maintenance issues.

An ASTM E2018-24 Property Condition Assessment (PCA) takes a much broader and strategic approach while being transaction oriented. This process covers the entire property, including site features, documentation reviews, and interviews with facility personnel. Most notably, the delivered report (Property Condition Report or PCR) provides a comprehensive evaluation of the building's current condition, identifies deferred maintenance, and includes cost estimates for immediate repairs, short-term costs for repair or replacement, and forecast of long-term capital reserve needs. For investors and lenders, a PCA is an essential due diligence tool, offering actionable insights into capital expenditure planning and helping to quantify and mitigate risk before acquisition or loan origination. Insurers also leverage PCA's to better assess baseline risk and potential exposure.

A Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) is a vital, long-term planning tool for commercial property owners and managers. It delivers a thorough analysis of all building systems, projects life-cycle costs, and guides strategic capital expenditure planning. Ideal for large-scale and multi-location portfolios, it helps asset management teams maximize efficiency over 10-year horizons or more. Most organizations who utilize FCA's schedule these to reoccur every 1 to 4 years to ensure up-to-date insights. While essential for ongoing asset optimization, FCA's are not typically utilized for real estate transactions. This approach helps property stakeholders proactively plan and allocate capital, creating sustainable, cost-effective facility management strategies.

Determining whether to opt for a commercial property inspection, a Property Condition Assessment (PCA) or a Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) depends largely on your objectives, your lender or insurer's requirements., and whether your needs are transaction oriented or not.

If you need to understand a property's current condition for personal investment analysis or maintenance planning, a commercial property inspection is ideal. For lender or insurer required comprehensive evaluations meeting industry standards, a PCA is typically required. An FCA is best suited for internal teams managing large-scale or multi-location assets for long-term planning and capital forecasting. An FCA is generally not suitable for real estate transactions.

When in doubt, start by reviewing your lender or insurer's guidelines, as they often dictate which type of evaluation is required. Ultimately, each approach serves different purposes - so it's essential to clarify your goals before deciding.

The duration depends on the property's size, complexity, and accessibility. Other factors affecting the time frame include the scope of services - whether it's a basic inspection or additional ancillary services. For small to medium-sized properties, such as restaurants, certain warehouses, office, or retail spaces, a basic inspection typically takes between three and eight hours. Larger or more complex properties, such as hotels, multi-story buildings, or industrial facilities, may require several days. Contact us today for a customized plan tailored to your property and goals.

Various elements determine the cost of an inspection or assessment, including the property's size, age, and location, as well as the floor plan, which could encompass multiple floors, rooms, and systems. Factors such as accessibility, scope, and the type of inspection also play a crucial role. Please contact us directly to discuss your requirements in detail, enabling us to provide a comprehensive proposal tailored to your needs.

For prompt assistance, please call us at 1-833-207-1974. Alternatively, you can submit a proposal request form by clicking here. Following a phone consultation, we will provide you with our comprehensive proposal and agreement. At this stage, we will also schedule your inspection or assessment.

Each inspection is meticulously tailored to meet the unique requirements, priorities, and concerns of our clients. Some clients focus on specific building systems, such as the roof and electrical components, while others require comprehensive inspections encompassing the entire building. This may include:

• The Roof

• Exterior Elements

• Parking Areas

• Decks and Balconies

• Basement, Foundation, and Crawlspace

• Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling

• Plumbing

• Electrical

• Fireplaces

• Attic Ventilation and Insulation

• Doors

• Windows and Interior

• Life Safety Systems

• Cooking Areas

Additionally, we offer optional services such as thermal imaging & infrared inspections, sewer scoping, and mold & indoor air quality testing. Many clients also request cost-to-cure or capital reserve tables to aid in their negotiations or financial planning. Insurance providers may require limited-scope inspections targeting specific building systems. We provide flexible inspection options, ranging from single-system inspections to whole-building evaluations. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you.

Our evaluation involves a comprehensive visual inspection and assessment of a building's overall condition and safety. Each building and it's systems are expected to operate according to their intended design and functionality. We provide you with this critical data to support your decision-making and planning processes. It's important to recognize that the age of a building or it's systems doesn't determine their reliability, functionality, or safety. Similarly, newer installations must be assessed on their own merits and not just presumed to be in optimal condition.

For small to medium-sized properties that only require a basic inspection, the report is generally available within 72 hours following the on-site visit. For larger properties or projects that require additional services beyond a basic inspection, the report is typically completed 5 to 10 business days after the on-site visit.

Your report will be securely delivered as a PDF via our digital Dropbox platform, which serves as our standard delivery method to ensure the utmost client security. Should you prefer an alternative delivery method, such as a certified carrier or other, please reach out to us to discuss your preferences.