Commercial vs. Residential Inspection Reports — Side by Side
Commercial and residential inspection reports follow different standards, deliver to different audiences, and require different documentation depth. This comparison maps the practical differences inspectors should know.
| Aspect | Residential | Commercial (PCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing standard | InterNACHI SOP, ASHI SOP | ASTM E2018 (PCA standard) |
| Typical report length | 25–60 pages | 60–200 pages |
| Audience | Buyer, agent, lender | Lender, investor, asset manager |
| Cost-reserve schedule | Not required | Immediate Repair + Replacement Reserve required |
| Life-safety scope | Smoke/CO detectors, GFCI, egress | Fire alarm, sprinkler, ADA accessibility, OSHA |
| Photo evidence | Inline per finding | Inline + walk-through appendix |
| Inspector qualification | State home inspector license | PCA-experienced (often PE or AIA) |
| Template used | Home Inspection Report Template | Commercial Building Inspection Template |