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Topic:   What's involved in a Commerical Insp - 2426 visits (1 today, 2 this week)

Bill Wieczorek
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From:Ingleside,Il
Registered: Aug 2004

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posted January 27, 2006 11:52 AM            

I was asked about doing an inspection on a commerical building. Since I haven't done one I turned it down. Can one of you commerical guys tell me what's involved. Is there additional education required, how much ect. Even if I never do one I'd like to know about the components inspected and where I can find information concerning them.

Craig Martin
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From:East Dundee, IL
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posted January 27, 2006 02:26 PM            

Hi Bill. It depends what type of building it is. For instance, I know an inspector who is inspecting a 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse on Monday. It also has a fairly large freezer (over 1000 sq. ft.). His client is concerned about the freezer (ammonia), yet this HI knows nothing about it (but he still took the job). I advised him to find a commercial refrigeration technician to go with him (I don't think he's taking my advice). That's just one thing. There's a lot more that could be out of his ball park. I would not have taken a job like that unless I had qualified help.

Now, on the other hand, there are smaller commercial buildings I would inspect, that aren't much different than a house - some that were houses. I did inspect a couple town homes last winter that were converted from an old bubble gum factory.

I guess I'd say find out as much as you can about a building, and if you feel comfortable take the job. If you are apprehensive, either turn it down, or get some qualified help and take the help on the inspection. You'll make less money, but you will be learning from someone who is familiar with what you are inspecting - and in the future, you may not need that expert help.

You probabaly know this already, but in Illinois, you don't need a license to inspect commercial. So don't be afraid to take someone along who knows about systems you don't have training for. Commercial work can be very profitable.

Craig Martin
East Dundee, IL

Jeffrey Mathis
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From:Grimesland, N.C
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posted January 27, 2006 03:36 PM            

I'll do commercial from time to time. There is no licensing in NC for commercial though.
But I always take an HVAC tech. Period.
JLMathis

Craig Martin
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From:East Dundee, IL
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posted January 27, 2006 04:39 PM            

I have a top-notch HVAC man also, as well as a Licensed Plumber that has done quality work for me on numerous ocassions. I'd take them both on a large commercial job.

The HI I'm talking about in my earlier post is getting $1200 to inspect a 30,000 sq. ft. commercial building. Rather than pay a qualified refrigeration professional a couple hundred bucks to inspect a freezer, he'd rather go in blind, fake it and steal the money. Doesn't make sense to me.

Craig Martin
East Dundee, IL

Bill Wieczorek
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From:Ingleside,Il
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posted January 27, 2006 05:03 PM            

Not knowing anything like your friend would scaree the life out of me. I hope he has E&O insurance just in case.

I asked the question because I was recently approached to do some work for a lender that does a good deal of commerical property. Thanks for the replys.

Al Roden
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From:Victoria, Texas
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posted January 27, 2006 05:08 PM            

It's more like being a project manager than an inspector - I always schedule a plumber, HVAC contractor, an electrician and a roofer to start with...and provide their findings, along with cost estimates, in a single report with photos. And of course, their fees are factored into the price of the inspection.

While these guys are doing their thing, I'm walking around checking everything else.

I wish residential inspections could be done this way - but then they would cost too much.

Bill Wieczorek
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posted January 27, 2006 05:16 PM            

Here's another question. If your asked to quote a price how do you know what the subs are going to charge ? Is there a formula or guidline you use for something like this. I suppose you can tell the client you'll have to get back to them within a day or so. I'd be at a loss when it comes to quoting a price.

Greg Bell
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From:Titusville Florida
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posted January 28, 2006 05:05 AM            

The link will take you to the standards that you should be using for commercial inspections.

http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/STORE/filtrexx40.cgi?U+mystore+omcm6894+-L+PCA+/usr6/htdocs/astm.org/DATABASE.CART/REDLINE_PAGES/E2018.htm

[This message has been edited by Greg Bell (edited January 28, 2006).]

Craig Martin
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From:East Dundee, IL
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posted February 02, 2006 10:19 AM            

To all the Illinois guys who still need CEU's before November:

I got a flier in the mail today from Quality Education Group. I don't know anything about them, but they offer a course called "Commercial Lite". They are offering it throughout the year in different locations: Glen Ellyn, Rockford, Collisville, and Tinley Park.

Another class soumds interesting: "Old House Inspections"

Has anyone out there taken classes from them?

Anyone interested can go to www.qegi.com
for more info.

Craig Martin
East Dundee, IL