Green Solutions







Commercial Inspections

Whether you are a building owner, investor, manager, lender, family office investor, or tenant, Bickham Consulting provides accurate assessments of commercial buildings to maximize our clients decision process and objectives. We deliver prompt, easy-to-understand assessment reports outlining our findings and recommendations and include digital photos, as appropriate, to document deficiencies.

As a trusted advisor to over 24,000 DFW building owners, investors and families, we have earned professional and personal trust. To wit, Bickham Consulting has completed inspections for total transaction value of greater than $5 billion.

This trust has been earned over time by delivering quality information and excellent service. We know that information is NOT a commodity when it comes to evaluating a commercial property. Quality of information matters.

We inspect many different types of commercial buildings including:

  • Office buildings
  • Warehouses
  • Industrial properties
  • Apartment buildings
  • Strip malls
  • Stand-alone buildings
  • Churches
  • Combination retail / Residential buildings
  • Banks / Restaurants / Bars / Hotels
  • Sports / Recreational buildings

Assessments and Reports

Our commercial inspection process begins with a Property Condition assessment (or PCA, as outlined in ASTM E 2018) as a starting or reference point. However, we have observed that most of our clients have chosen to deviate from the standard PCA and are better served by an end product that is more customized to their needs. We call these Bickham Commercial Assessments, or BICCA.

These variances may reduce the scope of the BICCA, for reasons including, but not limited to, time or monetary constraints. Alternatively, the BICCA may exceed the scope of the ASTM baseline and may include costs to remedy defects (with no minimum cost thresholds) or also include the cost of dismantling systems.

Note: The ASTM standards state the following regarding deviations from the standard in Section 3.1:

This guide also recognizes that there are varying levels of property condition assessment and due diligence that can be exercised that are both more and less comprehensive than this guide, and that may be appropriate to meet the objective of the user. Users should consider their requirements, the purpose that the PCA is to serve, as well as their risk tolerance level before selecting the level of due diligence to be exercised by the consultant.

The PCA is to observe and report, to the extent feasible, the physical condition of the subject property. Therefore, the PCA consists of:

  • Document review, interview of maintenance staff, vendors, and local building departments
  • Walk through survey of subject property
  • Preparation of opinions and probable costs to remedy physical deficiencies ($3,000 or greater per incident or an aggregate of $10,000 or more per building)
  • The property condition report (or "PCR per ASTM standards) incorporates all of the information obtained during the walk-through survey, the document review, interviews, and opinions of probable cost.

The assessment includes physical deficiencies defined as the presence of conspicuous defects or material deferred maintenance of a subject propertys material system, components, or equipment observed during the field observe walk-though assessment.

The standard specifically excludes deficiencies that may be remedied with routine maintenance, miscellaneous minor repairs, normal operating maintenance, etc. and excludes minimal conditions that generally do not present material physical deficiencies.

A baseline PCA includes:

  • Site characteristics (paving, topography, landscape, utilities)
  • Structural frame and building envelope
  • Roof surface areas
  • Electrical systems
  • Plumbing systems
  • Heating systems
  • Air conditioning and ventilation systems
  • Vertical transportation
  • Life safety / fire protection
  • Interior systems and elements
  • Document review
  • Opinions of probable costs
  • Recommendations

Additional services available include:

  • Elevator inspections
  • Fire safety inspections
  • Lead-based paint inspections
  • Wood destroying organism inspections
  • American with Disabilities Act (ADA) assessments
  • Phase I Environmental site assessment
  • Asbestos inspections
  • Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments
  • Radon inspections
  • Pre-lease or exit inspections for tenants
  • Partial inspections, such as roof or plumbing
  • Lender-required inspections
  • Walk through assessments for potential buyers or tenants
  • Acquisition due diligence
  • Triple net lease inspections
  • Loan origination inspections
  • Loan servicing site inspections
  • Deferred maintenance inspections
  • Capital improvement confirmation
  • Building maintenance inspections

Types of Commercial Inspections

Bickham Consulting utilizes a team approach, designed to meet all the needs of our clients. We believe and have observed over time that excellent investing is a team sport. Depending on the client's needs, we bring to the property a team of experts that will enhance the overall quality of the inspection and provide the expertise needed for our clients to make the right business decision.

In the end, the scope of the inspection and specific areas to be inspected are based upon a variety of factors: The buildings age, type of use, type of construction, cost, timeframes, and client needs are all considered when determining how the property will be evaluated.

A BICCA can range from brief visual examinations, to a comprehensive inspection of all the building's components. Of course, the specifics of the inspection will be discussed with the client and then documented in the engagement documents and final report assessments.

Our strategic team consists of specialists and / or consultants that assist BIC in the commercial process by providing expertise, insight, and professional and personal trust earned over time.

These strategic alliances include:

  • Structural engineers
  • Environmental specialists
  • HVAC specialists
  • Electrical specialists
  • Fire protection specialists
  • Elevator specialists
  • Roofing specialists
  • Paving specialists
  • Wood destroying organism specialists

The Process

Below are the steps we follow to initiate and complete the commercial assessment process:

  • Determine scope of work with brief onsite assessment and client interview
  • Work with client to determine scope of work that best meets client objectives
  • Perform scope of work
  • Generate report for client and answer any related questions or comments related to the subject property

Given the various options available for commercial buildings, we have observed over 38 years that ultimately, most clients choose the flexibility of the BIC Commercial Assessment. BICCA provides a unique scope, an extensive menu of specialized assessments, and the team that best serves each clients specific need.

We look forward to meeting your commercial inspection needs.

To schedule an appointment, click here or call us at 972.774.9242 today.

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972.774.9242 | info@bicconsulting.com