Commercial Services

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Commercial Property Inspection

City of Oaks can tailor the scope and objective of a Commercial  Property Inspection to meet each client’s need. The scope of the commercial building inspection is most commonly a comprehensive visual inspection to determine the property’s condition, documented in a written report. The objective of the inspection is normally to obtain a third-party and unbiased property inspection to identify deferred maintenance issues, such as roof and water intrusion, as well as deficiencies with structural and basic operational components of the building, such as structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and roofing. The scope of inspection can be designed to meet ASTM E2018 professional standards.  You will receive a comprehensive electronic report that is complete with pictures of the properties conditions with narrative technical descriptions.  Note this is not a PCA (Property Conditions Assessment) which will conclude with more detail and investigation of the properties current condition. 

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Condition Assessment Inspection

A wise buyer will conduct a Property Condition Assessment (PCA) by planning a property inspection before closing on any commercial property.  There is a lot that can go wrong with a commercial property, and the costs to repair and maintain buildings can be significant.  You need to get the facts about your potential investment while you still have options.  These assessments very often save our clients money by identify building deficiencies well in excess of our fee in addition to the many other benefits of conducting your PCA.   Our Property Condition Assessments are conducted in accordance with ASTM E2018 – 15 Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments as well as our industry leading inspection standards. 

It will include all of the following:

  • Inspection of the Plumbing, Electrical System, HVAC Systems, Roof, Structural Frame, Building Envelope and Site Improvements.  We typically have licensed electricians, plumbers, and mechanical on site at the time of site visit.
  • Search and review of public records and building permits for the property 
  • Opinions of Probable Cost to remedy any defects identified
  • Environmental Risk Review:  Before spending money on a Phase I Environmental Assessment let us assess the level environment risk associated with the property.
  • Flood Hazard Assessment:  Review of  the level of flood risk associated with the property.
  • ADA Accessibility Survey
  • Property Condition Report (or PCR) which will be compiled and delivered within an acceptable time frame. It will summarize the entire assessment as well as list material defects, concerns observed, recommendations for repairs, and opinions of costs to make repairs.

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Customized Inspections and Property Condition Assessments

Will conduct a Property Condition Assessment (PCA) by planning a property inspection before closing on any commercial property.  There is a lot that can go wrong with a commercial property, and the costs to repair and maintain buildings can be significant.  You need to get the facts about your potential investment while you still have options.  These assessments very often save our clients money by identify building deficiencies well in excess of our fee in addition to the many other benefits of conducting your PCA.   Our Property Condition Assessments are conducted in accordance with ASTM E2018 – 15 Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments as well as our industry leading inspection standards. 

It will include all of the following:

  • Inspection of the Plumbing, Electrical System, HVAC Systems, Roof, Structural Frame, Building Envelope and Site Improvements.  We typically have licensed electricians, plumbers, and mechanical on site at the time of site visit.
  • Search and review of public records and building permits for the property 
  • Opinions of Probable Cost to remedy any defects identified
  • Environmental Risk Review:  Before spending money on a Phase I Environmental Assessment let us assess the level environment risk associated with the property.
  • Flood Hazard Assessment:  Review of  the level of flood risk associated with the property.
  • ADA Accessibility Survey
  • Property Condition Report (or PCR) which will be compiled and delivered within an acceptable time frame. It will summarize the entire assessment as well as list m

Capital Needs Assessments

A Plan for Maintaining the Future of Multi-Family Properties

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Assessment for HUD Affordable Housing Properties and other Multifamily Projects

A Capital Needs Assessment (also known as a Physical Needs Assessment) is a plan for a multifamily property—a plan to address existing deferred maintenance, a plan to modernize and rehabilitate, and a plan to ensure that all the needs of the property are addressed well into the future. We listen to the needs of our clients and work with them to develop a plan that ensures the long-term success of each multifamily property.

City of Oaks Home Inspections has worked with developers, managers, and owners of affordable housing properties throughout the country on Capital Needs Assessments that are used for regular budgets, applications for funding, planning for rehabs, corrections for handicapped accessibility, and the development of plans for refreshing property interiors. For HUD, Tax Credit, and USDA RD properties, we can put together reports for you and for the necessary state agencies with a fast turn around and at a price that fits within your budget.


What exactly is a Capital Needs Assessment?

Simply put, a Capital Needs Assessment is a road map to understanding the life expectancy and cost of major items needed to maintain a property. Our inspectors are focused on providing a detailed estimation of how much it will cost to maintain your property in the coming years. In this way, we are able to create a budget for the future, assess what needs to be addressed immediately, and outline the expenses for urgent fixes.

After our inspectors assess a property, we give detailed reports on the building’s structure and major items in both the interior and exterior. We note specific improvement requirements and the costs associated with these changes. We also estimate the life of various building systems and give a year-by-year assessment of when each component may need replacing or fixing.


Needs Assessments are a Critical Function of Property Ownership

Capital Needs Assessments are critical to staying compliant with HUD regulations. Our assessments report on all deficiencies that put you in danger of noncompliance in a practical and easy-to-understand format. Since requirements are always changing, it can be difficult for property owners to know which items are considered violations. That is why our experts are trained not only to be thorough but to also receive the information necessary to remain up-to-date on these rules. 


We are here to help with your Capital Planning needs

Our capital needs assessments are beneficial for HUD properties and other multifamily projects. As with everything else US Housing Consultants does, we attempt to make this process as simple as possible. We work regularly with owners and managers of HUD Projects, particularly HUD 202 PRACs, which need Capital Needs Assessments to ensure that their Rents are properly calculated. At HUD properties with Budget Based Rents, it is particularly vital to ensure that a complete assessment is performed which can determine how to fund your replacement reserve account.


We are licensed General Contractors as well as trusted inspectors.  

Call City of Oaks Home Inspections for your investment property needs.