Inspection Works Commercial Inspection Standards of Practice
Based on the InterNACHI-CCPIA standards
1. SCOPE OF INSPECTION
1.1 Purpose
The inspection is intended to provide a reasonable, professional opinion regarding the visible and accessible condition of a commercial property at the time of inspection.
The inspection is not technically exhaustive, does not identify all conditions that may exist, and does not predict future performance.
1.2 General Scope
The Inspection Company shall:
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Conduct a visual inspection of readily accessible areas and systems
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Observe installed components under normal operating conditions where possible
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Identify and describe observed material defects
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Disclose inspection limitations
The Inspection Company is not required to identify every condition present, even if visible, unless it is deemed a material defect at the time of inspection.
1.3 Inspection Methodology
The inspection consists of a walk-through visual survey only.
The Inspection Company does not:
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Review drawings, permits, maintenance records, or prior reports
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Conduct interviews with owners, occupants, or maintenance personnel
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Verify representations made by others
1.4 General Exclusions and Limitations
The inspection does not include:
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Destructive or invasive testing
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Moving furniture, equipment, inventory, or stored materials
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Entry into unsafe, locked, or inaccessible areas
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Verification of compliance with codes, regulations, or standards
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Determination of remaining service life
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Prediction of future performance or failure
The inspection is not an engineering, architectural, environmental, or specialty consulting service.
1.5 Conditions Beyond Scope
The inspection does not address:
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Concealed or latent conditions
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Intermittent or seasonal issues
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Business operations or tenant activities
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Suitability for any specific use
1.6 Specialty Evaluations
Certain conditions may require evaluation by specialists, including but not limited to:
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Structural engineering
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Environmental assessment
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Fire system certification
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Accessibility compliance
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Energy or sustainability analysis
These services are outside the scope of this inspection.
1.7 Professional Judgment
Inspection findings reflect the professional judgment of the inspector at the time of inspection. Different inspectors may reasonably reach different conclusions regarding the same property or conditions.
1.8 Temporal Nature of Inspection
Inspection findings represent conditions present at the time of inspection only. Conditions may change due to weather, occupancy, maintenance, or modification.
1.9 Ethics
The Inspection Company shall act in good faith, maintain professional integrity, avoid conflicts of interest, and protect client confidentiality.
1.10 Relationship to Inspection Agreements
These Standards of Practice describe how inspections are performed. Inspection agreements govern contractual terms, responsibilities, and limitations of liability.
2. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
2.1 Site
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Surface drainage patterns
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Parking areas and walkways
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Vegetation or site features that may affect the building
Underground utilities, subsurface drainage, and soil conditions are excluded.
2.2 Structural Components
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Foundations where visible
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Structural framing where accessible
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Columns, beams, and load-bearing elements
No structural analysis or calculations are performed.
2.3 Exterior
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Exterior wall coverings
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Windows and exterior doors
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Flashings, penetrations, and trim
Inspections are limited to safe and accessible areas.
2.4 Roofing
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Roof coverings
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Visible flashings and penetrations
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Roof drainage components
Unsafe or inaccessible roofs are not walked. Roof age, remaining service life, and warranty status are excluded.
2.5 Plumbing
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Interior plumbing fixtures
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Visible supply and drain piping
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Water heating equipment
Underground piping, concealed components, flow testing, and water quality are excluded.
2.6 Electrical
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Electrical service equipment
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Main and subpanels
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Visible branch wiring
System capacity, load calculations, and code compliance are excluded.
2.7 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Heating and cooling equipment
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Distribution components
Systems are operated using normal user controls where accessible. Performance verification and balancing are excluded.
2.8 Interior Components
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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Interior walls, ceilings, and floors
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Stairways and handrails
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Common areas
Cosmetic conditions and concealed components are excluded.
2.9 Fire Protection Systems
The Inspection Company shall visually observe:
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The presence of fire alarm or suppression systems
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Readily visible components
No opinion is offered regarding system effectiveness, adequacy, certification status, or compliance with any authority having jurisdiction.
2.10 Safety and Accessibility
The Inspection Company will not enter areas that present safety hazards or unacceptable risk.
Accessibility or barrier-free features are not evaluated or verified. Any observations related to accessibility are incidental only and carry no opinion or verification.
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1 Commercial Property
Real property improvements used for commercial purposes, including but not limited to offices, retail buildings, strip malls, warehouses, industrial facilities, mixed-use buildings, hospitality properties, and similar occupancies.
3.2 Inspection
A non-invasive, visual walk-through survey of a commercial property performed to identify and report on observable conditions and material defects.
The inspection is limited to visible and accessible conditions present at the time of inspection and does not include research, document review, interviews, testing beyond normal operation, or engineering analysis unless specifically agreed to in writing.
3.3 Material Defect
A condition that, in the professional judgment of The Inspection Company, has a significant adverse impact on the value, use, or safety of the property.
A component being near, at, or beyond the end of its expected service life does not, by itself, constitute a material defect. Statements regarding age or typical service life are informational only and not predictions of failure.
3.4 Readily Accessible
Components that can be visually inspected without moving stored items, dismantling equipment, removing finishes, or using special tools or access equipment.
Documents, records, plans, and files are not considered readily accessible.
3.5 Inspection Company
“The Inspection Company” refers to the firm retained to perform the inspection in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
3.6 Report
A written document prepared by The Inspection Company summarizing observed conditions, material defects, and inspection limitations.