Commercial Property Inspections Built Around the Property and the Transaction

A commercial property inspection is an evaluation of the visible and accessible condition of a commercial building and its major systems. Depending on the property and scope, Dunsing may evaluate structural components, roofing, exterior systems, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and mechanical equipment, interiors, site conditions, drainage, and other significant property components. 

A Property Condition Assessment, commonly referred to as a PCA, evaluates the physical condition of a commercial property to help buyers, investors, owners, lenders, and property managers understand major systems, visible deficiencies, and conditions that may require additional attention. The scope of a PCA can vary based on the property, transaction, and client’s due diligence needs. 

The terms Property Condition Assessment (PCA) and commercial property inspection are general industry terms and are often used interchangeably. Neither term, by itself, establishes a single standardized scope of work, so the services provided can vary significantly from one inspection company to another.

Differences may include which building systems are evaluated, how extensively components are inspected, whether documents or records are reviewed, how units or equipment are sampled, whether specialists are involved, and the level of detail provided in the final report.

Before hiring a commercial inspection company, buyers should review the proposed scope carefully and make sure it reflects the property, transaction, and information they need. At Dunsing, we define the scope and pricing for each commercial project individually so clients understand what will be evaluated before the inspection begins.

A PCA performed in general accordance with ASTM E2018-24 is different because it follows a specifically defined industry framework.

ASTM E2018-24 is a recognized framework for conducting a baseline Property Condition Assessment. A PCA performed in general accordance with ASTM E2018-24 follows a more specifically defined process that can include physical assessment, document review, interviews, government-record research, and opinions of costs for identified physical deficiencies. 

No. Many small and mid-sized commercial transactions can be well served by a detailed standard Property Condition Assessment focused on the physical condition of the building. An ASTM E2018-24 PCA may be more appropriate when required by a lender or investor, when multiple stakeholders will rely on the report, or when the size, value, or complexity of the transaction calls for a more formal due diligence process. 

A Property Condition Assessment is the general industry term for evaluating the physical condition of a commercial property. An ASTM E2018-24 PCA follows a more specifically defined framework and may include additional document review, interviews, government-record research, and opinions of costs for identified physical deficiencies. 

Dunsing inspects a wide range of commercial properties, including office buildings, retail properties, mixed-use buildings, multifamily and apartment buildings, warehouses, light industrial facilities, self-storage properties, condominium and HOA properties, restaurants, and other specialty commercial buildings. 

Commercial property inspection and PCA costs can vary widely based on the building type, square footage, age, number and complexity of building systems, requested scope, and whether the project involves a standard PCA or a broader ASTM E2018-24 assessment. Commercial inspection projects may range from several thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the property and scope. Dunsing prices each commercial project individually after reviewing the property and due diligence requirements. 

Timing depends heavily on the size and complexity of the property and the type of assessment being performed. Some commercial inspections and PCAs can be completed and reported within days, while larger or more complex projects, including broader ASTM E2018-24 scopes, may require several weeks. Dunsing establishes the anticipated timeline when the project is scoped. 

Dunsing provides commercial property inspections and PCAs throughout Chicagoland and across a broader regional service area that includes portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. Contact us with the property address and project details to confirm availability.