When you’re buying or leasing a commercial property, inspections matter. Checkmark Plus, Inc. offers commercial inspection services in New Jersey and New York that aim to give you the clarity you need before you sign on the dotted line. Their commercial inspection portfolio covers elements from structure and systems to compliance and safety. In this post, we’ll walk through how Checkmark Plus handles commercial inspections, what you can expect, and how to get the most from the process.
What Checkmark Plus Covers in Commercial Inspections
Checkmark Plus’s commercial inspection service is designed for offices, retail spaces, warehouses and other types of business‑use properties. Their offerings go beyond a basic walkthrough:
- Exterior envelope & roofing review (the building’s “shell”)
- Structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems overview
- A detailed, photo‑rich report with a prioritized summary of findings
- Advanced inspection tools such as drone roof surveys and thermal imaging (for hard‑to‑access areas)
By covering both visible and more subtle systems, Checkmark Plus seeks to expose issues you might not notice at first glance such as aging mechanical units, roof vulnerabilities, or hidden system inefficiencies.
Why a Commercial Inspection Matters Before You Buy or Lease
Opting for a commercial inspection with Checkmark Plus before committing to a property gives you several strategic advantages:
1. Risk reduction
Properties often have issues that may not be obvious during a quick tour. A thorough inspection brings those to light before they become costly surprises.
2. Negotiation leverage
With documented findings in hand (report + photos), you’ll be better placed to ask for repairs, price reductions or adjustments to lease terms.
3. Compliance and safety assurance
Commercial properties must meet many safety, fire, and building code standards. The inspection helps verify these aspects and inform you of any non‑compliance concerns.
4. Long‑term planning
The report allows you to see not just immediate issues but also items likely to require attention in the future (roof replacement, system upgrades, etc). That planning helps with budgeting and maintenance strategy.
The Inspection Process Step‑by‑Step
Here’s how Checkmark Plus typically works through a commercial inspection. Understanding each stage helps you prepare and engage effectively.
Step 1: Pre‑Inspection Coordination
Before the inspection date, they will coordinate with you (and possibly your real estate agent or seller) to arrange access, gather property history, and agree on the scope.
They may also provide a preliminary checklist or ask for documentation such as building plans, maintenance history, or equipment service records.
Step 2: Visual Walkthrough & System Reviews
On site, the inspector will conduct a visual examination of the property’s exterior and interior: the envelope, roof, foundation, walls, exterior finishes, windows, etc.
They will also inspect key systems: heating/ventilation/air‑conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, electrical panels/wiring, mechanical units, fire/safety features.
If needed, drone footage or thermal scanning may be used for roofs, mechanical rooms, or other hard‑to‑access zones.
Step 3: Documentation & Reporting
After inspection, you’ll receive a digital report (often same‑day) which includes:
- A summary of prioritized issues (those needing immediate attention)
- Detailed photos of defects or areas of concern
- Notes or recommendations for repair or further evaluation
- Possibly an estimate or relative urgency ranking of problems
Step 4: Review & Decision‑Making
With the results in hand, you (and your advisor/agent) can review:
- Which repairs must be made before purchase/lease
- Which items you can negotiate or schedule post‑closing
- Whether the property’s condition aligns with your expectations and budget
How to Prepare for the Inspection
To get the most from your commercial inspection with Checkmark Plus, you’ll want to do some prep work:
- Gather documents: Collect any available building drawings, mechanical service history, past inspection reports, and maintenance logs. These help the inspector understand the property’s past and current condition.
- Provide access to all areas: Ensure the inspector can reach critical systems—rooftops, mechanical rooms, basements, utility closets, storage areas, etc.
- Notify occupants/tenants: If the building is occupied, inform those using the space about inspection timing to avoid surprises and to ensure safety and access.
- Walk the site if possible: If you are able, take a quick walk‑through with the inspector at the start. It helps identify any immediate concerns you might want flagged and gives you context.
- Discuss expectations ahead of time: Clarify exactly what the inspection will cover (systems, envelope, code compliance, etc) and what level of detail you expect in the report. Ask about add‑on services (e.g., thermal scan or drone imaging) if the property has complex features.
What to Look Out for (and Ask)
Inspecting a commercial property is a high‑stakes decision. While Checkmark Plus provides the technical service, you as the buyer or lessee should pay attention to:
- Major structural components: Is the roof nearing its end‑of‑life? Are there cracks or settlement issues?
- Systems condition: Are HVAC units old or inefficient? Are plumbing and electrical systems up to capacity and code?
- Safety & code compliance: Are fire alarms, sprinklers, exits and lighting up to regulatory standards?
- Hidden costs: Deferred maintenance can translate into big spend‑downs post‑closing.
- Lease terms tied to condition: Are there elements of the lease that make you responsible for pre‑existing issues?
- Report clarity: Are problems clearly explained? Are photos easy to interpret? Does it identify the highest‑priority risks?
- Timeline for repairs: Which items must you fix immediately and which can wait? A good report will help you distinguish.
Why Choose Checkmark Plus for This Service
Checkmark Plus stands out for several reasons:
- They explicitly market “Commercial Inspections” as a service line for New Jersey & New York properties.
- They use modern inspection technology (drone roofs, thermal imaging) which can uncover hard‑to‑see issues.
- They aim to deliver same‑day digital reports with photos and summaries, which speeds up decision making.
- Their bilingual support (English & Spanish) may help broaden access for more stakeholders.
- Local expertise in the New Jersey/New York region means they are familiar with local code, building types, and market expectations.
Use Case: Buyer or Lessee Scenario
Imagine you’re looking at leasing a warehouse space or buying an office building in the New Jersey/New York region. Here is how you might engage with Checkmark Plus:
- You schedule the inspection once your offer is accepted but before closing/lease finalization.
- Checkmark Plus reviews the property’s relevant systems, structure, and safety compliance.
- You receive the digital report soon after inspection. Suppose it reveals that the HVAC system is 15 years old and approaching end of useful life, the roof shows signs of water infiltration, and the sprinkler system requires some components upgrade to meet current code.
- With these facts, you can negotiate: for example, ask that roof patching/repair be done before lease begins or request a rent reduction to account for the upcoming HVAC replacement.
- If the cost and risk appear too high relative to your budget or business plan, you might decide to walk away or renegotiate terms.
- If you proceed, you keep the report as part of your documentation to track maintenance needs and budget for system replacements over time.
Realistic Expectations and Limitations
While a professional inspection adds value, it’s important to understand what it cannot guarantee:
- Inspections typically cover what is visible and accessible. Hidden defects (behind walls, under slabs, inside closed conduits) may escape detection.
- An inspection is a snapshot in time. Systems that are functioning today may fail tomorrow.
- A commercial property may have unique usage or regulatory features (e.g., specialized manufacturing equipment, hazardous material storage) that go beyond a standard inspection scope; you might need specialized consultants.
- The report does not replace full architectural/engineering due diligence if required for large or complex properties.
Before you buy or lease a commercial property, having an inspection from a company like Checkmark Plus gives you more information, more control, and the ability to negotiate from a place of knowledge rather than uncertainty. You get a clear assessment of structure, systems and safety, and a report you can use as a decision‑making tool. The time and cost of an inspection are small compared with the potential risks of undiscovered defects, compliance failures, or unexpected maintenance burdens.
If you’re moving ahead with a commercial real‑estate transaction now is the moment to engage an inspector, ask the right questions, and enter your agreement with clarity.
