Does the building need to be vacant for the inspection?

Occupancy is an advantage

An occupied building tells you more than an empty one. HVAC runs under load, lighting and receptacle circuits are energized, restrooms and floor drains are in use, and staff can point to the leak that appears every winter. Vacant buildings hide problems: dry traps, de-energized panels, disconnected equipment and roof leaks with nothing below them to stain.

What we do need access to

• Electrical rooms, main switchgear and tenant panels, with panel faces clear of storage
• Mechanical rooms, boiler and water heater rooms, sprinkler riser and fire pump rooms
• Roof access via hatch, stair or ladder, or clearance for a drone flight
• A representative sample of tenant spaces, including at least one of each type
• Restrooms, janitor closets and common areas
• Elevator machine room where present

Vacant building cautions

If a building is vacant, ask whether utilities are on. Inspecting a building with the power or water shut off produces a report full of limitations, because we cannot operate equipment we cannot energize. Utilities should be active on inspection day. On long-vacant buildings we also look specifically for vandalism, copper theft at the roof units and panels, dry sprinkler systems and pest intrusion.

Partially occupied buildings

Mixed occupancy is the most common case and is handled routinely. We inspect the occupied suites with notice and the vacant suites without, and we note in the report exactly which spaces were entered and which were not, so a lender or a partner can see the sample size behind the conclusions.

Sensitive operations

Medical, laboratory, food production, cannabis and secured logistics tenants may require escorts, hairnets, badging or restricted photography. Tell us in advance and we will comply with the tenant's protocols rather than showing up and being turned away.