First Defense Building Inspection, based in Tucson, Arizona, inspects commercial buildings for owners, buyers, and lenders across Southern Arizona. Owner Kief Manning holds Arizona BTR license #76157, is a licensed drone pilot, and works as a disaster relief inspector, where assessing damaged buildings quickly and clearly is the job. To talk about a retail, office, or small industrial property, call (520) 505-1423.
Have a property in mind? Call (520) 505-1423 or Schedule an inspection. Details are on our pricing and services pages.
What we inspect
A commercial inspection looks at the physical condition of the building and its main systems. Depending on the property, that includes:
- Roof systems, including flat roofs, foam roofs, drains, scuppers, and rooftop equipment
- Exterior walls, stucco or masonry, sealants, doors, and storefront glazing
- Parking lots, walkways, and site drainage
- Structure and visible foundation conditions
- Electrical service, panels, and lighting
- Plumbing, restrooms, water heaters, and visible drain lines
- Heating and cooling units, including rooftop packages
- Interior finishes, ceilings, and common areas
The scope depends on the building type and what you need to know, so call us and describe the property before we agree on what is covered.
Who it is for
Commercial inspections are useful for investors buying a small retail strip, business owners purchasing a building for their own use, and landlords who want a current picture of what they own. They also help tenants and property managers who need a condition record before a lease or a major repair. We work with properties in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley, Vail, Sonoita, Benson, Arizona City, Casa Grande, and Maricopa. We do not replace an engineer, an environmental study, or a code compliance check, and we will tell you when a specialist is the right next call.
What the report includes
The report is written in plain language with photos for each finding. Every item explains what we saw, why it matters to the building, and a suggested next step, such as further evaluation by a roofer, electrician, or engineer. You can use it in your due diligence period to plan repairs, budget for future work, or discuss terms with the seller. We keep the writing direct so that a non-builder can follow it.
Southern Arizona issues we see
Commercial buildings here share a set of recurring problems:
- Flat roofs and foam roofs with ponding, worn coating, and failed flashing after monsoon storms
- Rooftop cooling units that have been running hard in long summers
- Stucco and block wall cracks, some cosmetic and some tied to settling or water
- Parking lot and site drainage that sends storm runoff into doors or against walls
- Sun-damaged sealants, exterior paint, and storefront weatherstripping
- Older clay or cast-iron sewer lines under the building, which a sewer scope can help evaluate
Roofs on larger buildings can be hard to reach safely, and sometimes a drone or a ladder inspection makes more sense than walking every section. We decide on site. If the property is a house rather than a business building, see Tucson home inspection.
How to book
Call us with the address, the building type, and your deadline. We take calls seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Send any lease, seller disclosure, or prior reports ahead of time if you have them, since that helps us focus. You can also email FirstDefenseInspection@gmail.com, or write to 8987 E Tanque Verde Rd, Ste 309 #156, Tucson, AZ 85749.
Call (520) 505-1423 or Schedule an inspection.
For cost information, visit our pricing page. For the full list of what we offer, see inspection services.