Your average property condition assessment has dozens of fine details that are easy to overlook. This makes any assessment process a delicate balance between thoroughness and efficiency. The key to success: a property condition checklist. It can help AEC professionals work effectively without missing important features on their assessment.

Properties vary in purpose, condition, and features. It’s important to have a property condition checklist that can adapt to each unique facility. But there are also overarching themes that apply to any facility. Here are four items that will keep you prepared for every scenario that comes your way.

Major Systems & Components

Your building’s major mechanical systems are going to be the most expensive repairs or replacements you’ll need to make. These systems include HVAC, electrical and plumbing. They may include other systems like elevators or swimming pools, too.

Make a list of potential systems and components, as well as sub-lists of how detailed you’d like your assessment to be. Are you conducting a surface-level assessment? Would you like to examine each system in fine detail? Know your limits ahead of time to save time and avoid missing components.

Needs of the Building

Each building’s needs and purpose are unique. Create a series of customized checklists for every facility type in your portfolio. Some examples include warehouses, garages, recreational facilities, office buildings, and so forth. Or make it even simpler. The right assessment software allows you to customize your checklist before an assessor sets foot on the property. This will help ensure that nothing is missed.

Safety Features

Safety features are a must-have for facilities, regardless of their use or condition. Your property condition checklist should include features like sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, security alarms, locking mechanisms, and other safety elements. This will protect your firm in the case of an accident. It will also ensure that the building’s occupants can deal with hazardous situations in a safe and effective manner.

Compliance Details

As you complete your property condition checklist, you’ll want to add a section for compliance and regulatory needs. Does the building need to conform to the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? You may need to look at handicap parking, entrance sizes, restrooms, and other features of the property.

Other regulatory checkboxes may be property zoning, flood or seismic zoning, or fire code violations. Be sure that these you’ve met requirements before completing your property condition assessment.

Customize Your Property Condition Checklist with iPlan

The ease with which you create your property condition checklist all depends on the assessment software you choose. Using outdated spreadsheets will complicate your work and increase the chance of inconsistencies.

With 4tell™’s iPlan™, you can customize your checklist, access your assessment form from mobile devices, and store the data you collect in a secure, centralized database. The software also has built-in QA/QC processes that guarantee your assessor won’t leave the property until every box has been checked.

Never before has it been so easy to complete detailed, thorough condition assessments. All it takes to maximize the potential of your portfolio is a flexible and robust property condition checklist.

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