What Role Does a Commercial Building Inspector Play in the Success of Your Montreal Business?
With the help of the expertise of a Genispec commercial building inspector, you can protect yourself from condition-related problems that may present in the building housing your business. Left unchecked, these problems can become a heavy financial burden for your company, and even paralyze your commercial activities. If you’re planning to buy a commercial property, rent office space, or acquire a residential complex in Montreal, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) says it is essential to exercise due diligence by obtaining a commercial building inspection report in order to minimize your risks.
A good report will provide a clear assessment of the condition of the building, giving you a true picture of any renovations to undertake and maintenance to be scheduled. In our blog post What Does a Building Inspection Report Look Like?, we cover the essential elements of a good report.
What is the role of a commercial building inspector?
When you invest in a commercial building, it’s because you want to ensure the future of your business by finding the perfect location for your needs. Because such an acquisition represents a major investment in terms of time, energy, and money, you’ll want to avoid unpleasant surprises. That’s where the Genispec commercial building inspector comes in. A pre-purchase inspection of the building will help you make the right decision.
Essentially, a commercial building inspection is useful for a range of business interests, including real estate investors, real estate agents, companies, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions. In short, whoever wishes to refinance or buy a commercial building. Throughout the Montreal area, the term “commercial building” includes structures such as:
- Multipurpose, semi-commercial buildings
- Warehouses
- Shopping centers or retail boutiques
- Multi-unit residential buildings (apartments, condominiums)
- Hotels, inns, and motels
- Office buildings
- Industrial buildings
Is there a difference between a commercial building inspection and an industrial inspection?
There is a slight difference in how your Genispec commercial building inspector approaches a commercial building inspection depending on your business activities.
- Industrial buildings. A commercial building inspection involving an industrial property such as a factory will make sure to assess the condition of building components essential to industrial operations, including any and all specialized machinery, large aeration systems, and powerful electrical installations.
- Other commercial buildings. Commercial building inspection can involve a variety of structures and installations. Take brick and mortar retail locations, for example. Restaurants, dry cleaners, and shoe stores will all require different equipment related to their business activities.
Genispec commercial building inspectors have the knowledge, experience, and expertise to tailor their commercial building inspections to the needs of your business.
Why engage the services of a commercial building inspector?
No matter where your business is situated in Montreal, a commercial building inspection will provide useful information on the condition of the building, any improvements that need to be made, and all maintenance required – all of which can have a direct impact on your business. Knowing this information will enable you to plan your costs and better evaluate the value of the commercial property.
For a detailed explanation on how a commercial building inspector’s report can have a significant positive influence on your business operations, see our blog post on Buying a Commercial Building: Inspection Tips.
The expertise of Genispec commercial building inspectors
Our commercial building inspection services consist of a thorough visual and tactile inspection by an engineer to determine the general condition of the building elements and identify deficiencies, with recommendations, timelines, and estimated costs included in the report.
At Genispec a commercial building inspection includes all of the following elements:
- Structure
- Electrical systems
- Mechanical equipment
- Plumbing
- Heating system
- Interior finishes
- Windows and openings
- Roof
- Parking garage
- Common areas
- Building envelope (facades)
- Foundations
- Insulation and ventilation
If you’re planning to buy a commercial property, rent office space, or acquire a residential complex in Montreal, contact Genispec and we can arrange a full commercial building inspection. All our engineers are members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ).
To learn more about the importance of hiring a professional commercial building inspector, read our blog post on How to Find the Best Building Consultant.