Category: Commercial Inspection

How Much Does a Commercial Property Inspection Cost?

Commercial properties require frequent inspections for many different reasons. From new acquisitions, to lease renewals, to recurring maintenance checks, commercial inspections are a standard part of every business’ annual expenses. From a property inspector’s perspective, these jobs are great due to the more professional, less emotionally charged approach in comparison to residential inspections. Plus, commercial properties offer an opportunity to examine bigger, more complex systems in pretty much every category. Investors and property owners may find themselves wondering just how the costs for commercial inspections are determined. Even if you’re newer to the commercial inspection process, you’ve likely seen firsthand that pricing is rarely just a flat rate and that it differs significantly from residential inspection costs. Just as commercial properties serve a wide variety of purposes and come in all shapes and sizes, commercial inspectors know that they have an equally wide variety of inspection needs. While this might make the cost of a commercial inspection tougher to predict in advance, a commercial inspector who factors in all of the unique qualities of the property in their proposal is more likely to deliver a product worth the cost! So, if you’d like more insight on how pricing is determined

Read More »

EIFS Stucco Systems: A Cause for Concern?

For every house, condominium, industrial complex, hotel, and convenience store, the number one source of concern is the same: water intrusion. Water has a terrible knack for worming its way indoors, finding or causing even the most miniscule cracks that grow and compromise a building’s integrity. Though it may sound surprising, architects and engineers have spent countless hours over the years designing ways to keep water where it belongs and protect occupants from health hazards like mold. Of all the features of water management that buildings have, none face the same relentless assault as exterior siding. EIFS synthetic stucco is one type of siding that has become increasingly common for commercial properties, but property owners who have investigated this exterior wall system may have encountered some alarming stories. So, what’s the deal? Should property owners with EIFS exterior walls be worried? Should investors looking to expand their portfolios steer clear of properties with EIFS? Let’s discuss! What is EIFS Stucco?EIFS stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish System and refers to a type of exterior siding that gained prominence throughout North America after World War II. Similar to traditional stucco, EIFS is composed of multiple layers and offers similar aesthetic and

Read More »

The Four D’s of Water Management: Battling The Number One Threat for Every Building

Commercial properties pose a unique challenge for inspectors due to their increased scale and the expanded complexity of many of their internal systems. However, the top concerns for commercial buildings and the everyday family home remains the same: water. Water and moisture have the potential to absolutely wreak havoc on a building’s structural stability, causing wood rot, corrosion, unsightly staining, and even fostering mold growth. While these ever-present dangers are certainly on the minds of property inspectors, builders, and engineers, the “Four D’s” principle has been developed to help ensure safety for tenants. To get a better idea of what property inspectors look for in a well-maintained commercial building, let’s discuss how the “Four D’s” combat rain, snow, and all forms of moisture intrusion. Walls and Roofing Strive to Deflect The first D, and every building’s first defense against water damage refers to its ability to deflect water away from the structure. Roofs and roof overhangs are incredibly important for this process, as is the building’s cladding, a weather-resistant exterior wall layer that is commonly made of metal and provides additional insulation. Common points of water intrusion have been identified over the years, including wall and roof intersections, windows, doors,

Read More »

Why Commercial Property Inspectors Perform the Best Luxury Home Inspections

Moving into a new home is an exciting moment, but handling the logistics of each step can be a handful. When moving into a luxury home, it’s important to order a comprehensive home inspection for every purchase, but finding a professional equipped to do the job isn’t always so simple. If you’re struggling to find the right professional to perform a luxury home inspection, opting for someone with a background in commercial property inspections should be a top requirement. Luxury home inspections may have more in common with a commercial inspection than a standard home inspection due to a number of factors, including the property’s size, unique systems, and amenities, which are often modeled after commercial locations. To dive more into why commercial inspectors should be your go-to contact, let’s discuss a bit more about the process of a luxury home inspection. Why is it Important to Get a Luxury Home Inspection?Every homebuyer, whether they are purchasing a new or historic home, should always order a home inspection before closing. Homes experience a natural wear and tear over time that owners tend to ignore or overlook until these problems lead to major expenses or even safety hazards. On top of

Read More »

Landscaping and Exterior Maintenance Red Flags for Commercial Properties

Every property manager is well aware of the importance of landscaping when it comes to presenting a business in a positive light. With that said, good landscaping extends far beyond curb appeal. Some landscaping features can pose serious hazards, and with increased liability concerns, exterior maintenance on commercial properties should never be overlooked. Our expert property inspectors at NPI have had the benefit of walking the grounds of countless commercial properties over the years. In doing so, we have identified a few trends in landscaping or exterior maintenance that are too commonly neglected by property managers or building owners. Make note of these landscaping red flags to ensure that your commercial properties are safe and secure. Commercial Landscaping Starts with Water ManagementOne of the biggest issues that property inspectors will be sure to point out surrounds water drainage management. From the roof, to the siding, to walkways, and to turf and grass, nearly every aspect of a commercial property can be adversely affected by poor water run-off and drainage. So many commercial buildings opt for flat roofs, which can easily allow rain to pool and persist, leading to unneeded water weight strain and leaking to interior spaces. Even if scuppers

Read More »

How Much Does a Commercial Property Inspection Cost?

Commercial properties require frequent inspections for many different reasons. From new acquisitions, to lease renewals, to recurring maintenance checks, commercial inspections are a standard part of every business’ annual expenses. From a property inspector’s perspective, these jobs are great due to the more professional, less emotionally charged approach in comparison to residential inspections. Plus, commercial properties offer an opportunity to examine bigger, more complex systems in pretty much every category. Investors and property owners may find themselves wondering just how the costs for commercial inspections are determined. Even if you’re newer to the commercial inspection process, you’ve likely seen firsthand that pricing is rarely just a flat rate and that it differs significantly from residential inspection costs. Just as commercial properties serve a wide variety of purposes and come in all shapes and sizes, commercial inspectors know that they have an equally wide variety of inspection needs. While this might make the cost of a commercial inspection tougher to predict in advance, a commercial inspector who factors in all of the unique qualities of the property in their proposal is more likely to deliver a product worth the cost! So, if you’d like more insight on how pricing is determined

Read More »

EIFS Stucco Systems: A Cause for Concern?

For every house, condominium, industrial complex, hotel, and convenience store, the number one source of concern is the same: water intrusion. Water has a terrible knack for worming its way indoors, finding or causing even the most miniscule cracks that grow and compromise a building’s integrity. Though it may sound surprising, architects and engineers have spent countless hours over the years designing ways to keep water where it belongs and protect occupants from health hazards like mold. Of all the features of water management that buildings have, none face the same relentless assault as exterior siding. EIFS synthetic stucco is one type of siding that has become increasingly common for commercial properties, but property owners who have investigated this exterior wall system may have encountered some alarming stories. So, what’s the deal? Should property owners with EIFS exterior walls be worried? Should investors looking to expand their portfolios steer clear of properties with EIFS? Let’s discuss! What is EIFS Stucco?EIFS stands for Exterior Insulation and Finish System and refers to a type of exterior siding that gained prominence throughout North America after World War II. Similar to traditional stucco, EIFS is composed of multiple layers and offers similar aesthetic and

Read More »

The Four D’s of Water Management: Battling The Number One Threat for Every Building

Commercial properties pose a unique challenge for inspectors due to their increased scale and the expanded complexity of many of their internal systems. However, the top concerns for commercial buildings and the everyday family home remains the same: water. Water and moisture have the potential to absolutely wreak havoc on a building’s structural stability, causing wood rot, corrosion, unsightly staining, and even fostering mold growth. While these ever-present dangers are certainly on the minds of property inspectors, builders, and engineers, the “Four D’s” principle has been developed to help ensure safety for tenants. To get a better idea of what property inspectors look for in a well-maintained commercial building, let’s discuss how the “Four D’s” combat rain, snow, and all forms of moisture intrusion. Walls and Roofing Strive to Deflect The first D, and every building’s first defense against water damage refers to its ability to deflect water away from the structure. Roofs and roof overhangs are incredibly important for this process, as is the building’s cladding, a weather-resistant exterior wall layer that is commonly made of metal and provides additional insulation. Common points of water intrusion have been identified over the years, including wall and roof intersections, windows, doors,

Read More »

Why Commercial Property Inspectors Perform the Best Luxury Home Inspections

Moving into a new home is an exciting moment, but handling the logistics of each step can be a handful. When moving into a luxury home, it’s important to order a comprehensive home inspection for every purchase, but finding a professional equipped to do the job isn’t always so simple. If you’re struggling to find the right professional to perform a luxury home inspection, opting for someone with a background in commercial property inspections should be a top requirement. Luxury home inspections may have more in common with a commercial inspection than a standard home inspection due to a number of factors, including the property’s size, unique systems, and amenities, which are often modeled after commercial locations. To dive more into why commercial inspectors should be your go-to contact, let’s discuss a bit more about the process of a luxury home inspection. Why is it Important to Get a Luxury Home Inspection?Every homebuyer, whether they are purchasing a new or historic home, should always order a home inspection before closing. Homes experience a natural wear and tear over time that owners tend to ignore or overlook until these problems lead to major expenses or even safety hazards. On top of

Read More »

Landscaping and Exterior Maintenance Red Flags for Commercial Properties

Every property manager is well aware of the importance of landscaping when it comes to presenting a business in a positive light. With that said, good landscaping extends far beyond curb appeal. Some landscaping features can pose serious hazards, and with increased liability concerns, exterior maintenance on commercial properties should never be overlooked. Our expert property inspectors at NPI have had the benefit of walking the grounds of countless commercial properties over the years. In doing so, we have identified a few trends in landscaping or exterior maintenance that are too commonly neglected by property managers or building owners. Make note of these landscaping red flags to ensure that your commercial properties are safe and secure. Commercial Landscaping Starts with Water ManagementOne of the biggest issues that property inspectors will be sure to point out surrounds water drainage management. From the roof, to the siding, to walkways, and to turf and grass, nearly every aspect of a commercial property can be adversely affected by poor water run-off and drainage. So many commercial buildings opt for flat roofs, which can easily allow rain to pool and persist, leading to unneeded water weight strain and leaking to interior spaces. Even if scuppers

Read More »