24 August Demand for Commercial Inspectors Growing Rapidly August 24, 2021 By sma Franchise, Inspection Tips entrepreneur, inspection industry, news, small business 0 DEMAND FOR COMMERCIAL INSPECTORS GROWING RAPIDLY August 24, 2021 | Franchise, Inspection Tips | entrepreneur, inspection industry, news, small business By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.'s Recruitment Coordinator Following the partial collapse of the Surfside condo in Florida, more attention than before has been on the safety of commercial buildings. Coastal states especially are keeping a close eye on miles of waterfront property, most of which is almost half a century old. Some of the newer buildings were built before the Great Recession and tend to have more errors due to being rushed. With the increase in commercial inspections and new inspection laws, the demand for commercial inspectors has grown as well. More buildings are exchanging hands. Covid-19 forced the commercial real estate sector to shift drastically. Many offices moved remotely, shopping centers downsized, and restaurants had to relocate in an effort to recoup financial losses. As restrictions have eased back and places open back up, many are trying to get back to life before. Similar to the housing market, commercial buildings are exchanging hands quickly. All of those buildings being bought and sold going unchecked has raised concerns about how protected the people living in them will be. Coastal hotspots reexamining inspection laws. The state of Florida requires buildings to be recertified every 40 years, but there’s been a push for that timeframe to be moved up with environmental changes potentially affecting their structural integrity. Following Florida’s lead, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has introduced requirements for facade inspections every five years on six story or taller properties, or four story masonry facade buildings. In early July, legislators from Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Nassau County proposed a law requiring commercial property owners to have periodic inspections. Managing companies are being held responsible for conducting required inspections and abiding by all regulations outlined. Inspecting organizations are working with building owners to help them figure out a way to both protect tenants and keep repair costs low, a plan that benefits everyone. Building tenants want peace of mind. Every city and state is different in regards to what they require for commercial building inspections. With some being more comprehensive than others, there’s a general feeling among renters that they want their buildings to be inspected regularly regardless. Being left in the dark can make them feel uneasy about if at any moment something could go wrong. Having proof that a building is up to code and safe will put them at ease and make them feel confident in their choice. Inspection industry is constantly changing. Property inspections, like other parts of the construction industry, have undergone a variety of changes over time. New technology like drones and crawlbots have shaped how inspections are conducted. Plus, new building techniques and materials in commercial properties are meaning inspectors are having to keep ahead of the curve. There’s also been the challenge of new inspectors entering the field to replace those that have aged out. These factors have created a shortage of qualified inspectors and with the outlook seeming that more will be needed, the demand has jumped up. It’s not uncommon for a property owner to call in multiple inspectors for different components, but this can create gaps in information and also be costly. The future appears bright for inspectors. As more cities react to the events of Surfside, it’s likely we’ll see other legislation introduced. Because of the variance between states, it’s hard to say what each will do. Some places already have strict guidelines property owners have to follow, but getting them to follow through on a report is oftentimes difficult. With new laws and the general public wanting to be kept safe, the demand is growing for qualified inspectors. If you’re interested in what it takes to begin your own inspection franchise, request your free info packet here! About the Author Sammi Marcellus, Recruitment Coordinator A member of the Nebraska Army National Guard since 2017, Sammi assists the NPI recruitment team through building relationships with military veterans who are interested in franchising. Sammi has a background in customer service and is an asset to the NPI corporate team with her ability to relate with active and former military, guiding them through our recruitment process. Comments are closed.