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Commercial Inspections in Massachusetts
Inspections for buyers, tenants, owners and managers
Commercial buildings carry bigger risks and higher repair costs than houses. I inspect the building and its systems and tell you what I found before you buy, lease or take over management.
I also do property condition assessments (PCAs) on single buildings and on sites with several buildings.
Unrestricted MA Construction Supervisor #118964
MA Registered Home Inspector #739
RI Home Inspector #44255
ASHI Certified Inspector #253088
Why Commercial Inspections Matter
A commercial property that looks fine on the surface may hide serious issues behind the walls, above the ceiling tiles, or beneath the foundation. Skipping a professional inspection could mean:
Unexpected repairs costing tens of thousands of dollars.
Compliance issues that may expose you to fines.
Unsafe conditions for employees, tenants, or customers.
A property that doesn't suit your operational needs in the long run.
A commercial inspection isn't just due diligence—it's a vital component of risk management.
What's included in a commercial building inspection?
Inspections Plus reviews all readily accessible areas and major systems of your building, including:
Structural Systems
foundations, framing, masonry, roofing structures.
Roofing
surface condition, flashing, drainage, evidence of ponding or leaks.
Exterior
siding, windows, doors, parking lots, walkways, drainage patterns.
Interior
walls, ceilings, floors, stairways, and emergency exits.
Electrical Systems
service panels, wiring, outlets and visible safety concerns.
Plumbing Systems
visible piping, fixtures, water pressure, and drainage.
HVAC Systems
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, ductwork, and distribution.
Life-Safety Systems
fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, emergency lighting and exit signs, noted where visible. They are tested by the companies that service them.
Accessibility
entryways, walkways, common areas, restrooms and parking, as observed. Not an accessibility compliance review.
You will receive a comprehensive written report within 24 hours of your completed inspection, with photos and clear explanations of the findings. We categorize issues into three areas:
01
Immediate concerns
02
Maintenance items
03
Long-term considerations
Property condition assessments (PCA)
A property condition assessment covers the same systems as the inspection above, across a whole property, from a single building to a multi-tenant retail center. It takes in the site, every building, the roofs, and each tenant space I can get access to.
It is visual and non-invasive. I do not take equipment apart or open up walls.
The report is organized by building. It includes:
the site: grading, drainage, paving and walkways
each building's envelope, roofs, structure, heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing and interiors, with photos
recommendations grouped by timing: now (0 to 6 months), 6 to 24 months, and 2 to 5 years
a deficiency list for each building: the item, the system, the timing, and whether it looks like an owner item, a tenant item, or one to check against the lease
an executive summary
Condensing units on a steel platform.
Each item in the deficiency list carries a general cost level (low, moderate or major), not a dollar figure.
Where something needs a closer look, the report says who should do it. That may be a roofing consultant for moisture scanning, a structural engineer or masonry contractor, a licensed electrician, plumber or HVAC contractor, a fuel oil service company, or an environmental professional.
On a large property the work can be done in phases, for example the site, drainage and roofs on one visit and the buildings and their systems on another.
A PCA report takes longer than the 24-hour inspection report. I set the delivery date when we agree on the scope.
A PCA does not confirm or certify code compliance, permit history or system design. It does not check how utilities are metered and billed between tenants, or test fire suppression, alarm and other life-safety systems.
My commercial background also includes inspection and project management on bridge rehabilitation, highway rehabilitation and waterproofing of public infrastructure, under state and MassDOT contracts.
Commercial buildings I inspect
Each kind of business adds its own equipment to a building. Below is what I look at in each, and where a specialist takes over.
Restaurants
I look at kitchen hoods and exhaust ducts, grease where the exhaust leaves the roof, walk-in coolers and freezers, bar and dining areas, liquor and alcohol storage, floor drains and hot water. I pay specific attention to signs of mice and insects. The hood fire suppression system is tested by the company that services it.
Churches
I look at steeples and belfries, high roofs, stained and decorative glass, older stone foundations, basement halls and kitchens, and outside basement stairwells, which tend to collect water. High ceilings often hide the roof framing, and the report says what I could not see. If you plan a new use for the building, code, zoning and licensing questions go to the town and to whoever licenses that use.
Office space
I look at the heating and cooling equipment (often on the roof), stained ceiling tiles, electrical panels and the clear space in front of them, restrooms, and exit signs and emergency lights. Fire alarm and sprinkler systems are tested by the fire protection company that services them.
Music studios
I look at added wiring and circuits for the equipment, and heating equipment closed into finished rooms. Sound treatment covers walls and ceilings, and the report says what it hides. A licensed electrician verifies whether the service can carry new equipment.
Spas
I look at showers and plumbing added in the build-out, wet floors and tile, ventilation, and water heaters. Piping inside finished walls is not visible, and where added work looks amateur I recommend a plumber review it.
Nail and hair salons
I look at sinks and pedicure stations, hot water, ventilation and humidity, outlet protection near water, and backflow protection at the sinks. Where hot water is shared with another unit or the piping is hidden, a plumber traces it.
Jewelry stores
I look at lighting inside and out, the storefront glass and doors, the rear door and its hardware, and whether the exits are clear. At a repair bench I look at the gas torches and cylinders, the ventilation, and the sink and drain. Alarm and camera systems are noted, not tested.
Laundromats and dry cleaners
In a laundromat I look at the water heaters, the supply and drain lines to the washers, floor drains, and dryer venting and lint. I also look at the gas supply to the dryers and for signs that the drains back up when the washers empty. Lint that builds up behind the dryers and in the vents is a fire risk. In a dry cleaner I look at the steam and chemical lines and the machine venting I can see, but the cleaning machines themselves are specialized equipment outside the inspection. Dry cleaning solvents can stay in the floor and soil long after a spill with nothing showing on the surface, so I note what I see and refer you to an environmental professional.
Neither the inspection nor a PCA includes environmental testing, a review of past contamination, or identification of hazardous materials.
Common issues found in Massachusetts commercial properties
Massachusetts has a wide range of commercial buildings, from historic mills converted into office space to new construction retail centers. Some issues we frequently uncover include:
Flat roofs leak and pond water on older buildings.
Outdated electrical systems are not designed to meet today's energy demands.
HVAC systems are operating past their expected lifespan.
Foundation settlement or cracked masonry walls in older brick structures.
Insufficient insulation and drafty windows result in high energy bills.
Accessibility barriers, particularly in older properties.
Fire safety systems with overdue inspection tags.
Standing water on a flat roof.
Who benefits from commercial building inspections?
Buyers & Investors
Get a clear picture of your property's condition before committing.
Sellers
Identify and resolve issues in advance to make your property more marketable.
Tenants
Ensure the building meets your operational and safety requirements before signing a lease.
Property Managers
Plan maintenance budgets more effectively and extend the life of major systems.
Why choose Inspections Plus for commercial inspections?
I have inspected offices, retail spaces, restaurants, churches, special-purpose buildings, garages, warehouses and multi-unit buildings across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I am licensed and insured. Reports are written in plain English with photos and a clear list of what needs attention. Radon testing is available. Asbestos, mold and other environmental testing goes to an environmental professional.
Schedule your Massachusetts commercial inspection today
Call or book online to set up a commercial inspection, or to talk through the scope of a property condition assessment.
Call 508-293-1770 today to schedule your Massachusetts commercial building inspection with Inspections Plus, or complete our online booking form.