Commercial properties are diverse and range from small to large in square footage. They may feature complex industrial systems or simpler residential-style setups, but all are used for business purposes and accommodate various operations and industries. While commercial property inspections require expertise in new areas for residential inspectors, like life safety, accessibility, and new building systems, not every job will be daunting in terms of scale and complexity.

A great way to think of transitioning from residential to commercial inspections is starting small. For instance, as a residential inspector, you might be called to inspect a single-family home converted into an insurance brokerage firm, or a six-unit apartment complex — sounds less intimidating than a large commercial building, right? The key is that these properties technically fall under the commercial category and require additional knowledge to thoroughly inspect.

Here are five advantages of beginning with smaller commercial properties when transitioning from residential to commercial property inspections:

1. Streamlining Pricing. Many commercial property inspectors use a flat-fee structure for smaller projects or consistent types of jobs. The benefit of this method is that it allows the inspector to leverage their baseline understanding of how long it takes to inspect a property and write the report. While your commercial rates may differ from your residential rates, smaller projects often don’t require straying too far from familiar hourly or per-square-foot pricing calculations. There generally aren’t added variables that come up with larger-scale projects.

2. Building Confidence. Inspecting smaller properties helps inspectors gain the necessary confidence and expertise to tackle larger, more complex projects. Becoming familiar with new systems and the commercial standards of practice for smaller properties is more manageable and sets a solid foundation for future growth, much like learning residential systems lays the groundwork for understanding commercial systems.

3. Leveraging Referrals. Many residential inspectors get their first commercial jobs from their existing residential referral sources, such as agents or clients. Just as some agents handle both residential and commercial transactions, they may call on a residential inspector for these commercial projects by default. By demonstrating your expertise in commercial buildings, you can highlight the importance of hiring a commercial property inspector over a residential inspector. This naturally leads to reputation growth, as discussed next.

4. Growing Your Reputation. Your early commercial jobs naturally become a marketing tool and pathway to building a positive reputation in the commercial sector. The clear distinction between your residential and commercial services reinforces the fact that you’re becoming a go-to professional for commercial property inspections — all while paving the way for business growth.

5. Growing Your Business. As you leverage your referrals and grow your reputation as a commercial property inspector, your client base will naturally expand. Starting with smaller projects supports your long-term growth and enables your company to gradually expand your services to include larger projects.

There is a lot to learn to succeed as a commercial property inspector, but starting small makes it a manageable transition. Residential inspectors already carry many of the tools needed to get started, such as business practices, inspection procedures, knowledge of building systems, and connections in the real estate industry. These smaller jobs often spark interest in commercial inspections and provide opportunities. Use them to build confidence and your reputation as a commercial property inspector.

Critical Thinking Questions:

What skills and knowledge do I need to confidently inspect commercial properties, and how can I build on them with smaller projects?
Who in my network may be able to refer me to smaller commercial jobs?
How can I adapt my pricing model for smaller commercial properties while staying competitive and profitable?
How can I use early commercial jobs to stand out and build my reputation in this sector?
What resources or training should I pursue to succeed as a commercial property inspector?

Additional Resources for Commercial Property Inspectors:

Transitioning from Residential to Commercial Inspections: Starting Small