Structure and envelope
Look for cracks, uneven floors, signs of water entry and condition of windows and doors. Poor envelope performance affects comfort and energy costs for years.
If you plan heavy equipment or storage, ask about floor loading.
Ask when the roof was last repaired and whether any leaks have been reported. Water damage is slow to appear and expensive to fix.
Electrical room and panels
Check the main service size, the age of equipment, the labelling and the spare breaker space. Outdated or overloaded panels may need replacing before your work can proceed.
Our electricians can inspect and report on the condition so the cost of any upgrade is known early.
Mechanical systems
Review rooftop units, boilers, ductwork and controls. Ask for maintenance records and the age of major equipment. Systems near the end of their life are a future cost, and a negotiating point.
Check whether the system can be zoned to suit your layout.
Where equipment is old, a short inspection by a qualified technician before the lease is signed may save a large unplanned replacement later.
Plumbing and fire protection
Locate washrooms, floor drains, water entry and the sprinkler riser. Moving these is possible but costly.
Confirm that the sprinkler coverage will suit a new layout.
Check floor drains in food or health uses, since older buildings may not have drains where you need them.
Record what you find
Take photos, request drawings and ask the landlord to confirm in writing any items they will correct. This forms the baseline for later claims and for the end-of-lease condition.
- Main electrical service size
- Age of heating and cooling units
- Roof condition
- Washroom and drain locations
- Sprinkler coverage
Questions we hear
Who pays to fix base building problems?
It depends on the lease. Raise defects before signing and get the landlord's commitments in writing.
Can you inspect a building for us?
Yes. Our electrical and mechanical leads can review panels, units and piping and report in plain terms.