Types of Buildings We’ve Inspected Over The Years
When we first began inspecting commercial buildings, we assumed most would be residential-style structures. Looking back, we’re amazed by the wide variety of properties we’ve evaluated. Commercial building inspections differ significantly from home inspections—starting with the size. They’re not just bigger—they’re much bigger.
Restaurants
The property featured a massive pizza oven in the front-of-house area, an enclosed garden patio, and staff accommodations on the second floor.
Downtown Bar
A busy bar located in an older building that experiences heavy daily foot traffic; the structure has undergone numerous updates since it was originally built.
Pharmacy
A triple net lease inspection for an out-of-state investor, featuring a detailed report with photos of all equipment for annual comparison.
Motel
A small, single-level building with a manager’s suite, bathrooms in every room, solar panels, and centralized utilities.
Bank
The bank was relocating, and we inspected the entire building, including the vault, which was empty at the time.
Fast Food Restaurant
Previously a Kentucky Fried Chicken location, we inspected this property between two different owners.
Theater
The front of the building was modernized in the 1960s, while the rear retained its original structure with a massive vaulted ceiling. A fascinating property, though our client ultimately decided not to purchase it.
Auto Repair
A small building with four bays and a small office. The landlord requested a report detailing the condition of the building and a list of necessary repairs.
Church
You might not think of churches needing inspections, but in many cases, they reach out for a list of maintenance tasks that need attention.
Drive Thru
A truly American invention! A building with heavy electrical demands for refrigeration and winter heating.
Bed & Breakfast
Completely remodeled, this property added bathrooms and A/C to all bedrooms, spanning three floors with utilities located in the basement.
School
This one-room schoolhouse, built in 1900, is the smallest school we’ve inspected. The others were from the 1950s and 1960s.
You Never Know:
Arriving at a 15-floor office building in downtown Cincinnati, we were struck by its ornate design. Each office suite had its own electric panel—something you don’t typically see in many commercial building types. This unique feature stems from the building’s history: when it was completed in the late 1950s, the residential market softened, and the owner decided to repurpose it as an office building. He removed the kitchens, transforming each “apartment” into a private office suite, each with its own bathroom and French doors leading to a spacious private balcony.
At Buyer’s Inspection Service, we know commercial building types inside and out. We understand exactly what you need to know when it comes to your property investment.
