If inspecting commercial real estate is a career you are considering entering into, it’s important to know what type of education and training you have to have before applying for a license to be able to complete commercial real estate inspections. Each state has different training requirements and these requirements depend on the types of commercial real estate in the area (high rises or single story buildings), and environmental factors such as whether or not you reside in an earthquake zone.

Before beginning your commercial real estate inspection services education and training, look into what types of classes you need and other opportunities for continuing education. Consider these ideas:

1. Research your state’s requirements for obtaining a license to perform commercial property inspections.

2. Become a part of trade associations and utilize their continuing education classes and seminars.

3. Get the proper education to get your license to perform commercial real estate site inspections.

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Find out what you need to do in order to get a commercial property inspection license

State governments grant commercial property inspection licenses, so each state has its own requirements. Some require you to take specific courses by only approved schools and others will accept a certain number of education hours and you can take them as you see fit. It is important to check with your particular state, as you want to make sure that you don't waste time or money by not knowing ahead of time what you need in order to get a commercial real estate inspector license.

I recommend: Oregon Construction Contractor Board is a great resource if you are looking into what you need to do in order to become a commercial real estate inspector in the State of Oregon. Living in Wisconsin and looking to get your commercial real estate inspector’s license? Look around the website of Wisconsin Department of Commerce Safety and Buildings Division to get the pertinent information to set you on the right path.

Join associations for commercial property inspectors and benefit from their continuing education

Network with commercial real estate inspection companies at association events and classes and take advantage of having access to experienced inspectors. In addition to being a great networking resource, these associations offer a number of seminars, classes and meetings throughout the year, giving you access to numerous continuing education possibilities.

I recommend: National Association of Real Estate Inspection and Evaluation Services has a number of continuing education opportunities to take advantage of in many different areas of commercial real estate inspection. Consider enrolling in some of the commercial real estate seminars and classes offered by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors and learn from professionals in the field with many years of experience.

Take the applicable courses to offer commercial real estate inspection services

When you are ready to begin your commercial real estate inspection services education and training, it's time to find the right training program for you. There are online courses you can take, in-person seminars as well as at-home study options. Be sure to check with your state licensing board to make sure that whichever method of study you choose to pursue will meet their licensing standards.

I recommend: Trainingforinspectors.com has a number of seminars to take, including an Introduction to Commercial Inspections for those just starting out. Check out A Better School of Building Inspection. They have a study-at-home program that will get you up to speed on becoming a commercial real estate inspector -- on your own time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with current commercial real estate inspectors to see if there are any particular classes that they recommend you take which aren't required by the state in order to get your license.

Commercial property inspection is key to the commercial buying and selling process. Finding an honest and efficient commercial real estate inspector you can trust to get the job done makes any commercial property inspection run smoothly.

The commercial real estate inspections industry is surprisingly under regulated, and as a result, the way in which you go about choosing commercial real estate inspection services is crucial.

1. Research and review the company before you choose one and interview the potential candidates. Commercial real estate inspection companies abound, and stake a lot on their reputation.

2. Pay attention to credentials that would directly benefit the property to be inspected. A commercial real estate site inspection company with industrial properties expertise might be better equipped to check out an industrial site and catch problems that others inspectors would miss.

3. Get the full facts on what specific areas the inspector is going to check and what type of report they are going to generate.

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Pick the best commercial real estate inspectors for the job

Interview the inspector before you hire them for their services. The inspector's job is to examine a piece of commercial piece of property and then write a report about the condition of that property and its major systems. You are hiring them for their experience and expertise, so make sure you ask plenty of questions before you agree to hire them.

I recommend: Find major commercial property inspectors through a directory like BestRealEstateDirectory.com. Then go to a major commercial property inspection company website, or even a commercial property inspection professional organization like the American Society of Home Inspectors' website and look for the page detailing the code of ethics for their inspectors. Print a copy of the code of ethics and turn these key points into the basis for your interview questions.

Learn more about the inspector's commercial property inspections experience

Ask for a portfolio detailing their years of experience in the field, the number, types, and locations of the commercial properties that they have inspected in the past. Also ask to see copies of professional licensing certificates, references and membership in professional associations, and any other qualifications that might lend to their inspection expertise.

I recommend: Check out what major commercial inspection service companies provide and the stand-out qualifications and lists of services to get a feel for the market and what you can expect for the money like at the McDargh Real Estate Services, Inc. website. Find state by state professional licensing regulations at Kaplan.

Get the whole story on the commercial property inspection report

Find out the manner in which the commercial property inspection report is to be written, and ask to see a sample report as well as a copy of the inspection company's current standards of practice. Some commercial property inspectors use a template or prefilled forms, while others write a sentence style report.

I recommend: View sample reports of different styles to compare to the sample report given to you by the commercial property inspector. Cleveland Commercial Property Inspection Pros offers a view of two different report styles at their website, as does Accuracy Assured Home Inspections, LLC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for commercial property inspectors with knowledge of city and state commercial building codes and regulations. As a potential buyer, their knowledge definitely gives you an edge in the decision making process.

A commercial real estate inspection services company provides building inspection services to office buildings, shopping malls and other commercial establishments. This inspection includes surveying exterior walls, heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems, attics and balconies. The property inspector provides a written report of the general condition of the site or building, its components and systems and issues recommendations if applicable.

While interacting with commercial real estate inspection service companies, you will come across various technical terms. This guide aims at acquainting you with certain commercial real estate inspection key terms, such as real estate inspector, property condition report and ASTM E2018-08.

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Real estate inspector

A real estate inspector has the license to inspect commercial and/ or residential real estate properties and issue a certificate regarding the condition of the property. Standards and code of ethics bind these real estate inspectors. If you intend to buy a commercial property, you must get the inspection done through a qualified real estate inspector.

I recommend: You can read through the definition of a real estate inspector at the glossary at Homes-and-real-estate.com.

ASTM E2018-08

ASTM E2018-08 refers to a set of standards that provide guidelines for property condition assessment. The purpose of the standard is to define good practices for conducting a baseline assessment and to issue recommendations wherever necessary.

I recommend: You can learn about ASTM E2018 standards at ASTM International, the organization that develops standards for a wide range of materials.

Property condition report

After a property condition assessment, the inspector needs to document the observations and recommendations in a formal report. This report acts as a guide to a prospective property buyer and can help in negotiating the price.

I recommend: You can get a brief idea of a property condition report at Know-Fault Ltd., an inspection and consulting firm.

CIA (Commercial Inspectors of America)

This organization develops certified and licensed building inspectors for the commercial inspection industry. It designs policies, procedures and standards for personnel working in the commercial real estate inspection services field.

I recommend: You can learn more about this association at Commercial Inspectors of America.

Building insulation

Inspection services include checking for proper insulation of the building. Insulation includes thermal insulation as well as insulation against fire, and acoustic insulation.

I recommend: Learn more about building insulation at Open Hearth Home Inspection, LLC., a provider of home inspection services.

Radon testing

Radon is a radioactive gas that is injurious to health. Commercial real estate inspection services include testing for radon levels, to make sure that the real estate property is suitable for use.

I recommend: You can learn more about real estate radon testing at Radon Testing Corporation of America, a provider of radon testing services.

Inspecting commercial real estate is a subjective practice required in order to adhere to various commercial real estate inspection services laws and regulations regarding code of conduct and ethics. Because the results included in a commercial property inspection report can greatly affect the sale and purchase of commercial property, both state and federal laws regulate the actions of a commercial real estate inspector.

To help you identify commercial real estate inspection services laws and regulation with which inspectors are required to comply, you need to:

1. Learn how to qualify for a real estate inspector license.

2. Research commercial real estate inspector code of ethics.

3. Seek advice on state insurance laws for commercial real estate inspection services.

Action Steps
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Gain knowledge on commercial real estate inspection regulation

State law regulates the qualifications individuals must meet to become authorized to provide commercial real estate inspection services. In many states the requirements for residential and commercial real estate inspectors are the same or very similar. Some states require ethics testing while others require financial assurance and a relatively clean criminal history. You can contact your state's building commission or similar state agency to obtain information about specific requirements you will have to meet.

I recommend: Read more about state commercial real estate inspector licensing laws by visiting the American Society of Home Inspectors. You may also check out state commercial real estate inspection regulations by checking out the Foundation of Real Estate Appraisers (FREA).

Identify commercial real estate inspector code of conduct regulations

Commercial real estate inspectors are required to adhere to code of ethics regulations. These regulations are in place to ensure that their actions aren't harmful to the public or the real estate inspection industry. Ethics standards require that individuals providing commercial property inspection services do so in a fair, honest and impartial manner. These standards also require that inspectors not have any undisclosed conflicts of interest with clients for whom they are conducting inspections.

I recommend: Read more about ethics standards by visiting the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. You may also find out more about commercial real estate inspection code of conduct laws by visiting the National Association of Real Estate Inspection and Evaluation Services.

Understand insurance laws applicable to commercial real estate inspection services

State law requires commercial real estate inspection companies to carry errors and omissions insurance. The actual minimum amount required will vary by state and businesses can choose limits that fit their needs as long as all inspectors carry insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements.

I recommend: Check out Inspect-It 1st for more information about insurance regulations of commercial property inspectors. You may also find out more about commercial real estate inspection service insurance requirements by visiting Errorsinsurance.com.