Have you found an older commercial building that looks like it could be perfect for your business? Before you get too excited about the location, layout and price, looking at what’s going on behind the scenes is a MUST!
We’ve completed plenty of commercial building compliance and repairs over the years, and we know that what you see on the surface doesn’t always tell the whole story. Here are a few things we’d be looking out for:
Start with the obvious: water
If there’s one thing you don’t want to ignore, it’s signs of water. Have a look around the ceilings, walls, windows and floors for water stains, bubbling paint, mould or anything that looks like it has been repaired recently. A stained ceiling might be a roof issue. Damp around a window could point to water getting in from outside. And damage around a bathroom could be something else completely.
The important thing is finding the cause, not just painting over the problem.
Check out the roof
You don't need to climb up there yourself, but you want to know what condition the roof is in. Older commercial buildings can have ageing roofing, rust, damaged flashing, blocked gutters or drainage issues that haven't been properly dealt with.
If you're planning to renovate the building anyway, knowing the condition of the roof early can save you a nasty surprise later.
Don't panic about every crack
Cracks are common in older buildings, but that doesn't mean you should completely ignore them. Have a look at where they're appearing and whether there are other signs of movement. Doors that suddenly don't close properly, uneven floors or windows that are difficult to open can also be worth investigating.
Remember, it’s better to know what you're dealing with before you buy or start renovating.
Think about what the building needs to do
This is important. The building might have been perfect for the business that was there before, but will it work for you and your business? Maybe you need more bathrooms, better accessibility, new air conditioning, additional power, a different layout or a complete refurbishment.
Don't forget compliance
This catches many people out. If you're changing the use of a building or carrying out big renovations, there may be compliance, accessibility, fire safety and other requirements that need to be considered. It's much easier to factor these things into the project from the start than discover halfway through that something needs to be changed.
Explore our commercial building compliance services.
Look past the fresh paint
One of the biggest mistakes we see is getting caught up in how a building looks. New carpet, fresh paint and a nice reception area can make a property feel great and ready to go. But they're not going to tell you what's happening with the roof, structure, plumbing or other parts of the building. If you're considering buying or renovating an older commercial property, take your time and look at the building as a whole.
Planning a commercial project?
At Preston Building, we work with businesses and property owners across the Gold Coast and Northern NSW on commercial construction, renovations, refurbishments, repairs and upgrades.
We've worked on everything from commercial refurbishments and building upgrades through to larger projects involving multiple trades and stages of construction.
If you've got an older commercial building that needs some work, get in touch with the Preston Building team and have a chat with us about what you're looking to do.