Commercial Building InspectionsCommercial building inspections are done after construction is completed to obtain occupancy permits. While standard building codes must be followed nationwide, there may be variances in the requirements from state to state. Thorough inspections also are done when a building is being sold. A professional building inspector can provide estimates on work that will need to be done soon and probable energy and maintenance costs.

Check with your state building code department to find out what inspections are required to receive a certificate of occupancy following construction of a new building.

Make sure that the contractor you hire is a licensed inspector and follows the standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

When buying a commercial building, a potential buyer can benefit from working with a real estate professional. Yet, it is important to find a real estate professional that specializes in commercial properties, as there is a significant difference between residential and commercial real estate. If you decide to work with a real estate professional, choose one familiar with the area you are shopping, and who is experienced in commercial sales. If you are shopping on your own, or working with a commercial agent, there are steps to consider.

Define the type of commercial property you are seeking. There is a big difference between buying a restaurant building and gas station. You may be purchasing the commercial building as a location for your business, or purchasing the property for an investment. If you are purchasing for investment property, consult with a real estate professional to find out which types of buildings are in demand. If you plan to buy an office building in an area where there is a high vacancy rate for similar properties, then you may be making a poor investment.

Explore your financing options. Before you begin shopping, it’s important to know how you are going to finance your purchase. If you intend to borrow money for the purchase, you will need a commercial loan, which typically requires a much higher down payment and interest rate.

Every aspect of the construction industry can be broken down into residential work (building homes) and commercial work (building schools, stores, offices medical facilities, etc.). As commercial construction becomes more advanced, the need for properly prepared building plans becomes more important. Prepared by architects and engineers, these plans create a picture of a finished project and provide a blueprint for the building process from start to finish.

Building plans start when developers or investors decide they’d like to build new projects. They approach an architect, who works with the developer to understand the basic type of building that will be required. The plans are then sent to mechanical, electrical and structural engineers, who work as a team to design a safe and functional building. The architect acts as coordinator among these consultants, and also as a liason between the owner and the various design team members. Once the plans are complete, they are presented to the developer or owner for review and approval.

Commercial building plans can vary from a single sketch to hundreds of pages of detail depending on the size of the job. Generally, they contain a title page and index, which lists all the documents involved in the project. Next there will be a section of architectural drawings, which include floor plans, partition schedules, door and window locations and finish selections. The next section will contain the mechanical and electrical plans, which include HVAC, plumbing, lighting and wiring diagrams. Most sets of drawings are accompanied by a book of specifications, which details materials and methods to be used when building the project.

For more information on Commercial Buildings and Contractors, contact Wentworth Building Corp in Thomasville Georgia.  Greg Wentworth will be glad to answer any of your questions regarding their commercial building services.

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