Augusta offers you a lot in terms of history, culture, and growing economy. If you’re thinking of buying a commercial property there, then it’s one of the decisions you most likely won’t regret. The city brings a wide range of commercial properties to the list. These range from historic buildings to modern developments. You can choose whatever meets your requirements, needs, and your expectations. Whether you want to secure an office space in the downtown area or a warehouse in the outskirts, each property will come with its fair share of pros and cons.
Now that we have spoken about cons, to clear it out for you, we mean challenges. Of course, buying a commercial property in the thriving state of Georgia is not a child’s play. So, when you’re planning to buy a commercial property in Augusta, you need to play smarter. One crucial step for this is ensuring the commercial property is in sound condition. This can be done by scheduling a commercial building inspection.
In Augusta, GA, the building inspections are a very thorough process. It starts with examining the building’s exterior and interior components. During the process, the inspectors evaluate the building’s structural integrity, major systems, and building safety measures. This helps in ensuring compliance with local regulations and industry standards. This blog will further talk about the inspection process in detail, highlighting what really goes on during the process.
WHAT DOES A COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTION COVER?
The building inspections in Augusta cover four major factors. You can say the process is divided into four parts, which are as follows:
UTILITIES
First off, the inspection includes examining the property’s major systems, which are:
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Fire Systems/sprinklers/alarms
Checking for utilities during the inspection helps ensure that everything is in its good shape. If, by any chance, a system is not in its correct working order, it can cause major issues. If not major, then there could be various minor issues that will end up being headaches anyway. You won’t like your commercial space’s lights not turning on, toilets not flushing, or rooms not maintaining the correct temperature. All of these might seem like minor issues, but they’re big-time trouble if not fixed immediately. So inspecting these systems during inspection helps ensure that everything stays safe and comforting and is working just right.
PROPERTY EXTERIOR
The commercial property exterior includes different areas like:
- Outside walls
- Foundation
- Roofs
- Parking lots
Since the exterior is really how your building appears, it is considered as one of the most vital aspects of the inspection. Thus, during the process, inspectors consult with construction and roofing experts. This helps them ensure that your property is structurally sound, and if there is any underlying issue, they can give you a heads-up on the potential hazards.
PROPERTY INTERIOR
The inspection ensures that the building is not only intact from the outside but from the inside, too. This is why the inspectors look for potential safety hazards just like they do with the exterior. During the process, the inspector also ensures the property meets the safety codes as per the law in Augusta, GA. This is how your business can operate without a hitch.
In this step, the inspector assesses the following:
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Residential/office spaces
They search for every potential issue that could be fixed and not turn out as a significant expense. If, by any chance, it’s a major expense, you can always look out to make informed decisions, “choosing” whether you want to buy the property.
DOCUMENT AND REPORTING
Lastly, the inspectors verify the building’s documentation to have the green signal that everything is in order. The documents the inspector will be assessing are:
- Appraisals
- Building plans
- Citations
- Certifications
- Construction permits
- Emergency evacuation plans
Note that these are not all, and the documents vary from property to property. This was just an idea.
After completing the inspection, the inspector will compile their findings in a final property condition report (PCR). The report will feature all the relevant findings and associated evidence that will give more clarity and proof. The report serves as an integral part of the complete inspection. You get the vital data that gives you a head start in the further proceedings of the property-buying process.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Let’s break down every factor that is assessed during the inspection process in this checklist:
ROOF
When assessing the roof, the inspector will check for the signs of damage. This includes missing or damaged shingles, flashing, or membranes. They look out for evidence of leaks, ponding water, or sagging areas. The inspector also inspects for roof penetrations that include vents, chimneys, and skylights. They ensure that all of this is properly sealed.
A strong and intact roof is important for protecting the property from water damage. Once the water damage occurs, it could cause problems like mold, leaks, etc.; in fact, it can also damage things like furniture or equipment within your building.
EXTERIOR WALLS
The exterior walls protect a building from things outside, like wind, rain, and worse weather conditions etc. During the commercial inspection, inspectors look at these walls to ensure they’re strong and in their finest condition. They check the walls for any cracks, holes, or damage. If there are any major issues with the walls, they are documented in the report. In fact, the poor condition of exterior walls can also lead to bugs or other critters getting inside the building easily. Thus, by inspecting the exterior walls, inspectors make sure the building is safe, secure, and well-protected.
FOUNDATION AND STRUCTURE
The foundation and structure of your commercial building need to be strong and sturdy. After all, they’re supposed to hold everything up. During a commercial inspection, inspectors take a closer look at these parts to make sure they’re solid and not wobbly. If the inspector finds any cracks or issues with the structure or foundation, it’s a sign that the building is unsafe. In worse cases, the building might also lean or even collapse.
During the process, the inspector looks for signs of water intrusion or moisture damage in the basement or crawlspaces. They also evaluate the condition of structural components, including load-bearing walls, beams, and columns.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
This is one of the major building systems. During the inspection, the inspector looks at the system to ensure they’re working safely and properly. They make sure the electrical wires are not messed up or damaged. If there are issues with the electrical systems, then it might result in issues like flickering lights, non-working electrical outlets, and even electrical fires (in the worst scenario, of course). So, with a commercial building inspection, inspectors ensure that everything works smoothly and doesn’t impose any safety hazards.
Following are some of the things that inspectors check when inspecting the electrical system:
- Electrical outlets
- Switches
- Fixtures
- Exposed wiring
- Damaged conduits
- Outdated electrical components
PLUMBING SYSTEMS
During the inspection process, the inspector inspects visible pipes, fittings, and fixtures for leaks or corrosion. The main point of the inspection is to test faucets, toilets, sinks, and drains for proper operation. The inspector also evaluates the water pressure and temperature regulation. If the inspector finds any problems with the plumbing systems, it could result in different issues like toilets not flushing, sinks not draining, or even water flooding. So, with the plumbing system’s inspection, we make sure everything stays clean, dry, and working properly.
HVAC SYSTEMS
The commercial building needs to be cozy and comfortable for your business operations to run smoothly. This is why you need to have an HVAC system that is working just fine. During the inspection, the inspector looks for any issues with the HVAC systems. As an issue, your room would rather be very cold or very hot. In fact, this can also result in poor air quality, leading to discomfort. When assessing the HVAC system, inspectors check the following:
- Wear
- Damage
- Rust
- Functionality
- Efficiency
- Leaks
- Blockages
- Inadequate insulation
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
You rely on fire protection systems in case of emergency. This is enough of a reason to ensure the proper functionality of the system. During the process, inspectors ensure that the system’s alarms, sprinklers, and extinguishers are in the correct working order and will act when there is a fire. If there are problems with the system, like broken alarms or blocked sprinklers, it could be credited as a red flag. As these systems might not work when you need them the most. Besides checking the systems, the inspector also checks the emergency exits and pathways for obstructions.
On the whole, to get a thorough commercial inspection in Augusta, GA, you surely need a reliable inspection company. And Hargrove Inspections could always be your number one choice. With proven inspection services and satisfied clients, we ensure that your property gets the best.