Preparing Your Building for RTO
January 1, 2025
To get ready for RTO mandates, here are a few maintenance tasks and upgrades to implement today.
To get ready for RTO mandates, here are a few maintenance tasks and upgrades to implement today.
Many people do wild things to accommodate their pets at home, but in recent years, office workers have been asking for this leeway to expand into the workplace as well.
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,
Across commercial real estate sectors, various amenities rise and fall in prominence each year as investors track what attracts top-tier tenants and drives business. In the face of increasing urbanization where city center locations are in high demand, one property trait that’s been steadily gaining attention is walkability. But what does it look like when a property has good walkability, and is there anything that owners and investors can do to improve this feature? Let’s delve deeper into this subject to provide some clarity. What is Walkability?Walkability is an overarching term referring to a property’s proximity to other businesses that serve its tenants and visitors, and to the number and quality of pedestrian-friendly characteristics present. For apartment buildings, this might include benches or bike racks around the exterior, and parks or grocery stores nearby. For office buildings, a coffee shop opening on the ground floor could be a prime example. The benefits of investing in walkability are numerous. It reinforces healthy habits, has positive environmental effects, and revitalizes communities. However, the real reason why walkability is becoming a bigger focus today is the trackable evidence it has on investors’ pocketbooks. How Does it Impact Commercial Real Estate (CRE)?The importance of
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
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
Everyone is familiar with the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” While this is a valuable principle in life, clients and customers generally don’t apply this sentiment when deciding where they spend their money. Very often, businesses are selected solely based on their location and look of their exterior. Especially in highly-trafficked areas, property owners that have taken good care of their buildings and developed eye-catching landscapes see much more attention than property owners that have been neglectful. A building’s landscape is often one of the first opportunities to make an inviting impression with potential clients. Well-maintained grass and carefully-selected greenery reflect businesses and property owners who care about their work. Clients and customers will expect this attention to detail to cross over into all facets of their business. So, to set your commercial businesses up for success (and to attract quality tenants or clients), here are a few ways that you can upgrade your property’s landscaping. Landscape To Stand OutMore than just keeping your property looking clean and looked after, strategic landscaping can be used to attract clients. Whether you take advantage of a professional landscaping company or plan out your designs yourself, landscaping is a
Within the coming weeks, you might be shifting into your winter maintenance routine. It can be a busy time dealing with frozen pipes, drafty rooms, and keeping everything running smoothly through the freezing months.
Hiring a commercial landscaper could be the solution you need! As you go through the hiring process, here are a few questions to keep in mind.
Trying to control water runoff for your commercial property is not an easy task. Even for smaller buildings, it’s difficult to prevent your drainage system from becoming overwhelmed.
To get ready for RTO mandates, here are a few maintenance tasks and upgrades to implement today.
Many people do wild things to accommodate their pets at home, but in recent years, office workers have been asking for this leeway to expand into the workplace as well.
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,
Across commercial real estate sectors, various amenities rise and fall in prominence each year as investors track what attracts top-tier tenants and drives business. In the face of increasing urbanization where city center locations are in high demand, one property trait that’s been steadily gaining attention is walkability. But what does it look like when a property has good walkability, and is there anything that owners and investors can do to improve this feature? Let’s delve deeper into this subject to provide some clarity. What is Walkability?Walkability is an overarching term referring to a property’s proximity to other businesses that serve its tenants and visitors, and to the number and quality of pedestrian-friendly characteristics present. For apartment buildings, this might include benches or bike racks around the exterior, and parks or grocery stores nearby. For office buildings, a coffee shop opening on the ground floor could be a prime example. The benefits of investing in walkability are numerous. It reinforces healthy habits, has positive environmental effects, and revitalizes communities. However, the real reason why walkability is becoming a bigger focus today is the trackable evidence it has on investors’ pocketbooks. How Does it Impact Commercial Real Estate (CRE)?The importance of
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
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
Everyone is familiar with the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” While this is a valuable principle in life, clients and customers generally don’t apply this sentiment when deciding where they spend their money. Very often, businesses are selected solely based on their location and look of their exterior. Especially in highly-trafficked areas, property owners that have taken good care of their buildings and developed eye-catching landscapes see much more attention than property owners that have been neglectful. A building’s landscape is often one of the first opportunities to make an inviting impression with potential clients. Well-maintained grass and carefully-selected greenery reflect businesses and property owners who care about their work. Clients and customers will expect this attention to detail to cross over into all facets of their business. So, to set your commercial businesses up for success (and to attract quality tenants or clients), here are a few ways that you can upgrade your property’s landscaping. Landscape To Stand OutMore than just keeping your property looking clean and looked after, strategic landscaping can be used to attract clients. Whether you take advantage of a professional landscaping company or plan out your designs yourself, landscaping is a
Within the coming weeks, you might be shifting into your winter maintenance routine. It can be a busy time dealing with frozen pipes, drafty rooms, and keeping everything running smoothly through the freezing months.
Hiring a commercial landscaper could be the solution you need! As you go through the hiring process, here are a few questions to keep in mind.
Trying to control water runoff for your commercial property is not an easy task. Even for smaller buildings, it’s difficult to prevent your drainage system from becoming overwhelmed.