Inspected by a CCPIA Certified Inspector
Buying or leasing a commercial building is a bigger commitment than buying a house, and the repair bills are bigger too. Joel Hagans is a CCPIA Certified Commercial Property Inspector. He evaluates properties under the guidance of nationally accepted Standards of Practice for Commercial Buildings, so you know what you are taking on before the due diligence period ends.
A commercial inspection has many of the same parts as a residential home inspection, applied to a building that works harder. Where a property has larger or uncommon systems, ACL can manage third-party contractors to inspect the larger electrical, HVAC and roof systems, so you get complete information in one place.
What Your Commercial Inspection Covers
We look for visible deficiencies as well as safety issues that can also be liabilities.
Site, Access and Structure
Access areas checked for hazards, the concrete flatwork, the foundation and structure, and the exterior finish of the building.
Roof
The roof covering and its visible condition. On larger or specialty roofs we can bring in a roofing contractor for a closer evaluation.
HVAC and Plumbing
Heating and cooling equipment is operated, and the plumbing system is checked, including the restroom facilities.
Electrical
Light fixtures, smaller panels and the system as a whole are checked for general safety, with sample outlets tested and GFCIs tripped where possible. We do not disassemble 3-phase or larger panels.
Windows, Doors and Major Systems
We inspect and operate all major systems, windows and doors, and note anything that needs repair, further evaluation or routine maintenance.
Property Types We Inspect
ACL focuses on light commercial buildings, the kind that make up most of the commercial stock around Tallahassee: small offices, retail strips, restaurants and service businesses along the main corridors, and the warehouses and flex buildings on the edges of town.
- Warehouses
- Low rise offices
- Retail spaces
- Hotels and motels
- Restaurants and breweries
What North Florida Weather Does to Commercial Buildings
Our climate shows up in commercial inspections in predictable ways. Heavy summer rain tests low-slope roofs, gutters and the drainage around parking areas and entrances. Rooftop and split HVAC units run for much of the year in the heat and humidity, so their age and condition matter to your budget. Older buildings near downtown and in the smaller towns around Tallahassee have often been renovated several times for different tenants, and it pays to know what was changed and how well.
Havana, Quincy and Gadsden County
We also inspect commercial property north and west of Tallahassee, including the storefronts and older downtown buildings of Havana and Quincy, as well as Crawfordville, Monticello and Perry. Older main-street buildings often share walls, have roofs that have been recovered more than once, and carry electrical and plumbing from several eras, so a careful look before you buy or sign a lease is worth it.
Your Report
The report includes color photos and recommendations as needed for the conditions found, and follows the guidelines of accepted Standards of Practice. If conditions call for it, we may refer additional critical services to an expert. The report is available within 24 hours of the inspection, usually the same day. For questions about a specific property, contact Joel at joel@acltally.com or 850-312-8919.