Commercial Building Inspection in the Garden State

Property owners and potential buyers in New Jersey often require a building inspection during commercial real estate transactions or property investment opportunities. The assessment will allow parties to gain technical knowledge about the building’s physical deficiencies, maintenance needs, and relative costs associated with ownership.

“Commercial buildings” refer to structures designed to generate profit and serve as hubs for business matters. These assets are profit-generating as people usually come here for business, commerce, or financial activities. As commercial buildings are intended for establishing businesses, many NJ investors are interested in owning these places.

Requesting a building inspection helps investors assess its real condition, especially if risks or hazards are associated with the property. This enables them to make informed decisions during the negotiation phase with the seller.

Detecting building defects and issues is hard without the right tools and understanding, so professional support is necessary. Investors or portfolio managers need a NJ engineer skilled in commercial building inspection NJ company to do the job.

Understanding Commercial Building Inspection

A commercial inspection is a process performed by an independent engineer or architect. Essentially, the hired professional will conduct a walk-through visual survey of the property while documenting the condition of the specific components of the building such as the building envelope, structure, and mechanical systems. At the end of the evaluation, they will generate a comprehensive findings report for the client which details the components of the building as well as their current condition.

Generally, these are the tasks performed during commercial inspections:

  • Check the Building’s Major Systems

The inspector surveys the general systems of a commercial building, namely: structural integrity, roofing, electrical, plumbing, as well as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), life safety, and fire protection. These systems undergo a visual inspection by a licensed professional engineer to determine the type of systems installed, their functionality, and their useful and remaining life. The engineer’s assessment will identify the anticipated repair, restoration, or replacement cost.

  • Evaluate the Building’s Exterior

The commercial inspection gives the buyer an idea of the current condition of the building envelope, which includes the façade, roof, windows, doors, loading docks, and other exterior components. In addition, the engineer will inspect the site conditions as well, including the parking areas, sidewalks, curbs, and streets. The engineer’s evaluation will let the buyer know the condition of these systems and how well they have been maintained so the buyer can plan for future fiduciary responsibilities and repair/replacement costs.   Depending on the findings, the engineer might advise the buyer to have further invasive investigative work performed by an industry expert to more definitively confirm a component’s condition.

  • Review the Building’s Interior

The interior inspection involves checking elements like the floors, bathrooms, offices, and kitchen spaces. It also includes life safety and fire protection elements of the building. Depending on the current and future use of the space, changes may be needed to comply with the current codes.

  • Document the Building’s Overall Assessment

Aside from assessing the building’s major systems, exterior and interior, the commercial building inspection engineer also reviews available property documents including appraisals, construction drawings, maintenance records, and recent capital improvements. The local township construction office is contacted to determine if there are any outstanding permits or violations. After the site inspection and document review, the client will receive a property condition assessment report (PCA ) from the engineer. The PCA report performed by the engineer is conducted in accordance with ASTM Standard E2018-15. The PCA details the engineer’s observations and findings which include photos, allowing the potential owner to know the property condition and the capital expenses required for short and long-term occupancy.

Importance of Commercial Building Inspection

Conducting a commercial building inspection is intended to uncover issues that might affect business operations and risks that can be detrimental to occupant safety. Faulty electrical wiring, leaking pipes, and building envelope water infiltration are some of the common commercial building issues. If they go undetected, they can mean unanticipated costs to the investor. Early discovery of these problems is important to consider maintenance and renovation necessary to keep the property in good condition.

A building inspection is helpful for investors, insurance underwriters, lenders, commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) lenders, and portfolio managers during commercial real estate acquisitions. The engineer’s findings help these parties discern if investment in a specific property or building is worthwhile or what the return on investment (ROI) could be.

Without a qualified commercial building inspection, buyers might miss critical information that could have influenced their investment decision. The buyer benefits from the professional engineer’s comprehensive report in deciding on whether to pursue the property or not. Hiring a qualified engineer might be expensive but buying a building not knowing its actual condition is more costly and stressful. Additionally, the prospective owner will have a potential negotiating position with the seller for needed improvements.

How to Choose the Best Commercial Building Inspector?

Many will claim they are industry experts in the area when a buyer looks for a commercial building inspector NJ. Choosing one will be challenging, but considering key factors might help make this decision easier.

Clients must verify if the prospective engineer is licensed by the state. Hiring a licensed engineer gives them a reliable, well-trained, and knowledgeable professional for the job.

Membership in national engineering organizations like NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers) is an indicator of the engineering dedication to the profession.  Membership in NABIE (National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers) or certification as a building inspection engineer shows a commitment specifically to building inspections.

Reading reviews about commercial building inspection companies is also helpful. Online platforms like Google Reviews and Yelp give insights into the inspector’s previous performances. Researching the candidates and their work backgrounds is key to sorting out qualified from unqualified.

How Can Lockatong Engineering Help?

Commercial building inspection requires professional assistance from a reputable company in the industry. Seeking an inspector allows investors to make informed decisions before buying commercial properties. A qualified inspector can give an objective diagnosis of the building for the clients to understand its real condition.

Lockatong Engineering can provide New Jersey clients with trusted building-related inspections. The company’s professionals are skilled, trained, and experienced when performing commercial building inspections. The company also invested in modern inspection tools and equipment to survey commercial buildings thoroughly. With industry knowledge and cutting-edge technologies, they can give investors reliable and objective property assessments for better decision-making during commercial real estate transactions.

For more information about the services and expertise that professional NJ commercial building inspectors provide, contact Lockatong Engineering today.