Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

3 Keys to Successful Property Inspections

  • By Western Specialty Contractors
  • 03/01/19

If you want to reduce maintenance costs, there are advantages to doing property inspections. To begin with, they give you valuable information that makes the stressful maintenance decision-making process easier and straightforward. We all know that effective inspections involve more than just walking around a property looking for potential issues. Here’s how to succeed at property inspections.

1. Start with standardized methods. Successful inspection programs, built on a foundation of standardized methods, help improve consistency over time. That way, you can reliably compare results from a current inspection to past ones. Take several pictures of each component’s condition—don’t try to rely on notes from inspectors exclusively; use a condition rating scale—keep ratings as simple as possible. Don’t be tempted to start doing inspections first, then record the data later. That’s a recipe for expensive mistakes and a sub-par inspection.

2. Instructions matter. Successful inspections leverage great written guidelines. Provide your team with written instructions they can review. Even if your inspection is set up correctly, it only makes it harder to get the traction if your staff isn’t sure what to do. It’s about taking the guesswork out of the equation.

3. Create checklists (or know where to get them). Successful inspections have rock-solid processes. If you’re new to exterior maintenance, creating checklists can be a fun and exciting way to get better. If you want to do a great inspection, you need to learn how to make inspection checklists. If that isn’t you yet, you can shortcut this by asking a contractor to help you. You might supply the vision and property knowledge, and they bring their years of experience and expertise.

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management March 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Western Specialty Contractors (www.westernspecialtycontractors.com), based in St. Louis, MO, is the nation's largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing.

Featured

  • Building Beyond Simulation: Creating Immersive Ecosystems for Healthcare Education

    Health sciences education is one of the fastest-growing facility types in colleges and universities. The demand for medical, nursing, and allied health professionals is driving the creation and renovation of medical simulation training facilities that provide students with real-world experience through advanced simulation-based learning.

  • Q&A: How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Fires in Commercial Kitchens

    School cafeterias and university dining halls serve thousands of meals daily, relying on high-heat equipment like fryers, grills, and ovens. While these operations keep students fed, they also generate significant grease-laden vapors. Without proper controls, this grease becomes a silent fire threat. As a certified exhaust cleaning specialist and business coach who has helped hundreds of institutional facilities achieve NFPA 96 compliance, I emphasize that proactive grease management isn’t optional; it’s a core fire/life safety practice.

  • Washington State University Debuts New Engineering Hall

    Washington State University recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for the new Schweitzer Engineering Hall on its Pullman campus in Pullman, Wash., according to university news. The facility measures 66,288 square feet, and its completion marks the first milestone in a larger university effort to modernize the engineering and design district.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.