You built your business over the years, and you finally accumulated enough capital to build your own commercial property. You expect that, once the construction finishes, you can use it to run your business. What you do not expect is construct defects that make the property unusable, which then leads to commercial real estate litigation. Luckily, there is a way to mitigate this possibility through periodic inspections.
Construction defects
Construction defects can lead to the collapse of a new building or cause it to deteriorate quickly. In most states, construction defects exist in four broad categories: design, subsurface, material and construction.
Design defects
Inspections should occur at the very beginning of the construction process. In most areas, inspectors do not inspect construction designs from architects or engineers. However, Arizona businesses can get a second opinion to ensure that the design plans are adequate, structurally sounds and meet building codes.
Subsurface defects
After verifying the planning phase, the next issue to inspect is the subsurface preparations. This refers to the grading and subsurface preparations to ensure proper drainage and a solid foundation. Even if your new property is not on a cliff, improper subsurface preparations can cause foundation collapse and flooding. If this is done before and after construction, make sure the inspections are done in both phases.
Material deficiencies
Talk with your contractors about the materials and include your inspector in these conversations, unless you are a construction expert as well. Even something as minor as substandard roof flashing could cause your roof to leak, leading to a myriad of water-related issues. This is why you should have conversations about which materials to use, including wood quality and specific fixtures.
Even if your engineer designed a warehouse with perfect ventilation, insulation rating and fan selection could affect that ventilation and your ability to cool your brand-new warehouse. If you have ever worked in a warehouse, you know how important this can be. If the warehouse is too hot during the summer or too cold during the winter, your staff cannot perform optimally.
Construction defects
Workmanship is another key area of concern. Make sure your inspector inspects the worksite throughout the construction period to ensure your building is built the right way and up to code.