The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation.
Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t sufficient to do the job.
The roof is usually the single most expensive component. It may be a built-up roof (BUR) aka the hot tar and gravel system, a metal panel roof system, a two-ply modified bitumen torch down rubber roof system, a single ply membrane (TPO, EPDM, or PVC system), or a spray polyurethane foam-based system. Inspectors do not learn how to properly inspect these systems by inspecting residential roofs. The only professional training and certification for commercial roofing that I am aware of is the HAAG Engineering certification. A to Z Inspections has this certification.
Chillers, fire suppression systems, structural steel/I-beams, huge electrical panels, cranes, walk-in freezers, well and septic, large swimming pools, elevators—these areas are not part of the standard experience or training for home inspectors. There is a vast difference in knowledge, experience, and education needed to properly perform a commercial property inspection. All inspectors hired by A to Z have the four-hour on-line “Commercial Inspector Certification” from InterNACHI, but that is wholly insufficient for serious commercial inspections.
A to Z Inspections as a serious, competent commercial property inspection company brings to the job:
Property Condition Assessment (ASTM-E2018) certification
HAAG Engineering certification for commercial roofing
Construction Degree from OSU
EPA Certification in Waste Water Treatment Systems
Thermography Certification
Experience
A to Z has inspected office buildings, shopping centers, apartment
complexes, refrigerated warehouses, mini-storage facilities, build-outs, car dealerships, metal bus barns, manufacturing plants, distributions centers, and multi-story hotels.
Look for these three things when securing a commercial inspection:
Credentials – Certifications, training, degrees
Experience with commercial inspections
Ability and willingness to bring in experts – elevator company, commercial electrician, large generator technician, commercial roofer, fire suppression systems company, plumber
Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional?
Here are my personal commitments to become more professional:
Secure a degree or certification every year
Write one article that educates about our industry each month
Support industry educational activities
Serve as an officer in our professional association
Teach to the highest industry standards
What can you look for to quickly determine professionalism. Like the lotto: Pick 3!
A degree in their chosen field. Are you aware that under the direction of Dr. David Chapman, the University of Central Oklahoma offers a bachelor degree in real estate, one of only a few in the nation?
Additional certifications, designations beyond their initial degree or license
Published articles or books
Officer in their professional association
Over 5 years experience
Rave referrals from at least two customers
Recognized trainer or teacher
The commercial property or home that you buy is one of the largest financial investments, financial risks that you undertake in your life. Shouldn’t you expect, demand, maybe even invest 10 or 15 minutes to research, your real estate agent’s and your home inspector’s professionalism?
If you want more information about one of the best real estate degree programs in the country, contact, J. David Chapman, PhD, UCO Real Estate Program, [email protected], 405-202-2676, https://www.facebook.com/groups/ucorealestateclub/.
If you want information about one of the best inspection schools, contact Fred Ayers, HITS (Home Inspection Training Specialists) at 405/323-9722.
If you want the most thorough, the most professional property inspection, contact A to Z Inspections at 405/412-7861, extension 2 for commercial, extension 1 for residential.
Yes, there is a reason A to Z has been picked up in a client’s private airplane and flown to New Mexico to perform an inspection. It is the same reason that we have been hired multiple times by law firms as expert witnesses, that the Oklahoma Department of Commerce hired us to inspect properties all over the state, and the National Association of Home Builders designated me as one of twelve Master Instructors in the nation: A continual commitment to providing the most thorough property (commercial or residential) inspection available by being a learning and teaching company.
WE HAVE SOME BAD REVIEWS—but not one from a customer. We probably have a hundred RAVE reviews, but there are five or six out there from disgruntled real estate agents or home sellers that say we are too picky, are deal busters, and take too long. There are two reviews from dishonest home owners who were intentionally trying to hide things.
Let me answer the question, “Where’s the beef?” Three answers:
Please, go on line to the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network (www.oscn.net) and look up A to Z Inspections or Jack Werner under civil lawsuits AND LOOK UP ANY OTHER COMPANY YOU ARE CONSIDERING. We are slower, we are more expensive—there is a reason we have never been sued. WE ARE THOROUGH. If we ever miss something or break something, we stand up. My biggest competitor is at least 25% cheaper. If you look up that company you will see six lawsuits have been filed over their inspections. THERE IS A REASON.
Always call your state home builders association (OSHBA) and ask, “What inspection company is the most professional, the most thorough?”
As Barry Stone, www.housedetective.com, syndicated columnist, has said dozens of times: You want the inspector with a reputation of being “too picky,” “deal buster,” “takes too long.” You want “the most thorough.”
THERE IS A REASON.
Inspectors are often feared as “deal-killers”. Very few sales fail as a result of inspections. A deal that failed because of negative inspection findings is probably a positive for the seller, buyer, and real estate agent. Finding problems before a lot of money changes hands most likely prevents losses, future lawsuits, and hits to an agent’s reputation.
“The best defense is a good offense.” A tough pre-listing (or seller’s) inspection will prevent the “surprise” negative inspection coming after all the parties have contracted. The seller can use the information to make repairs the seller wants to make and be prepared to discuss/negotiate the remaining.
Commercial property purchases are major commitments. Failure to secure the most thorough professional property inspection available is a failure to demand the due diligence we would normally exercise when purchasing a used car, selecting a physician, or considering an investment advisor.
A pre-listing/seller’s inspection by a tough inspector can make for smooth “sale-ing”!
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Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional? Here are my personal commitments to become...
What do home inspectors inspectA home inspection is a visible and accessible inspection of the property.Surprisingly, you may find the home inspector will not do crawlspaces or offer residential warranty one their inspection. Believe it our not, they may not be EPA...
The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation. Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t...
Before an inspection, Clean your outdoor condenser. Dirty A/C coils DO NOT USE A PRESSURE WASHER OR JET NOZZLE. You could damage the A/C coils. Recommend you turn the power off by pulling the disconnect. From there spray any debris on the outside of the coils down to the bottom of the unit. Then slowly work your way around the unit and spray coils till the water goes through the coils. This gets any dirt that built up between the fins out. Once you have gotten all sides (most people miss the side next to the house wall). Then you can dry off and reinsert/turn the disconnect back on.
The last thing is go to your inside coil box. This is attached to the furnace and where the copper lines from the outside A/C connect to the other half of your A/C. You are looking for condition air leaks. I.E. the air that you are paying to heat or cool. It is blowing out around the coil box in different spots. When it is
Coil box hot outside and the A/C is running it is very easy to identify. Just move your hands around the unit. Once you have identified all the spots that allow the conditioned air out you need to seal them. You can do this with HVAC Foil tape, silicone caulking. Seal all areas where the condition air leaks have been found.
A to Z Inspections is the choice when companies need the best home inspection. You need a team of home inspectors in OKC to make sure you have all the details and facts on the home you are considering to buy.
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Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional? Here are my personal commitments to become...
What do home inspectors inspectA home inspection is a visible and accessible inspection of the property.Surprisingly, you may find the home inspector will not do crawlspaces or offer residential warranty one their inspection. Believe it our not, they may not be EPA...
The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation. Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t...
While office buildings may be in the same neighborhood as residential houses, they need different types of inspections.
Is the commercial inspecction team you are interviewing certified for commerical properties?
Our team of InterNACHI certified commercial inspectors has: Inspected hundreds of commercial properties; The accreditation to inspect commercial grade systems including roofs, attics, parking lots, and kitchens, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems; Earned the prestigious HAAG Engineering commercial roof certification; Certifications in Property Condition Assessment (PCA) and in EPA waste water systems as well as lead-based paint inspections.
The average savings to the customer is 11.8% off the price that they agreed to. This figure is based on the items our commercial inspection in OKC found that needed to be repaired which could be negotiated to be repaired or negotiated to bring the price down. The advantages of using the Best in Oklahoma—A to Z Commercial Inspections is obvious but ask the home inspector you are considering hiring for your commercial inspection.
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Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional? Here are my personal commitments to become...
What do home inspectors inspectA home inspection is a visible and accessible inspection of the property.Surprisingly, you may find the home inspector will not do crawlspaces or offer residential warranty one their inspection. Believe it our not, they may not be EPA...
The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation. Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t...
There are some basic things you can do to improve your A/C performance. Extend the life of the A/C. Reduce your utility bills, and help when you have a home inspection. As a home inspector in OKC, here is an item.
Change the A/C filters on a regular basis. I have been at a home inspection when a HVAC Contractor was present. The A/C was only getting one to two degrees cooler. The contractor pulled the filter and it dropped three degrees in just a couple minutes. The A/C still did not work properly but the filter made a huge difference.
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Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional? Here are my personal commitments to become...
What do home inspectors inspectA home inspection is a visible and accessible inspection of the property.Surprisingly, you may find the home inspector will not do crawlspaces or offer residential warranty one their inspection. Believe it our not, they may not be EPA...
The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation. Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t...
Surprisingly, you may find the home inspector will not do crawlspaces or offer residential warranty one their inspection. Believe it our not, they may not be EPA Certified For Septic Systems or current on their Continuing Education.
A home inspection is a visible and accessible inspection of the property. This includes the components of the house and are reported if they do not meet these guidelines:
Are they in good working order?
Were they installed properly
Are they safe?
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Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional? Here are my personal commitments to become...
What do home inspectors inspectA home inspection is a visible and accessible inspection of the property.Surprisingly, you may find the home inspector will not do crawlspaces or offer residential warranty one their inspection. Believe it our not, they may not be EPA...
The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation. Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t...
You want an inspector that knows roofs and can tell if the roof was replaced correctly and within the normal standards and practices of the roofing industry.
Our A to Z master inspector, Cord Werner has completed the intensive HAAG Commercial Roof Inspector Certification course. In the roofing and inspection industries, the phrase “Haag Certified” carries a lot of weight since it means the inspector is highly proficient with all major types of roofs and damage assessment.
Hot
Actions, knowledge, experience, degrees, certifications, publications/articles, communications – all of these may indicate professionalism. Two questions: How do I become more professional? How do I identify a professional? Here are my personal commitments to become...
What do home inspectors inspectA home inspection is a visible and accessible inspection of the property.Surprisingly, you may find the home inspector will not do crawlspaces or offer residential warranty one their inspection. Believe it our not, they may not be EPA...
The basics are there, but you wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a house foundation. Sure, a few very small commercial jobs are basically home inspections. The condo office complex would be an example. As size and complexity change, home inspection training isn’t...